How One Good Deed Changed My Life...

A good deed is an act or a gesture that is fulfilled by an individual or a collective. What makes a good deed so virtuous is the intent that an individual(s) possesses which will lead them to accomplish a particular action or a particular gesture onto someone else. No good deed can be viewed as “too small of an act” because every “act of service” can impact and go a long way for others. Good deeds come in many different forms, from many different people and can occur at any given time. Good deeds can also vary anywhere from holding the door open for a stranger to donating blood or to even donating an organ of yours. Since we are only aware of what goes on in our individual lives we are often blinded to the many struggles and challenges that are experienced by the people around us. This is one out of the many reasons why I personally feel that it is important to help others in ways that we are able to. Not only does this promote a sense of unity between individuals, communities and societies. But when our actions reflect altruistic behaviours our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health enhances which consequently improves our well being. Committing to and fulfilling a profuse amount of deeds that can benefit others generates a social system, which is founded from the kind actions that are accomplished by one or more people where generosity and gratitude are both present. This is similar to “Pay It Forward” which is a famous movement. “Pay it forward” was created in 2007 by “Catherine Ryan Hyde” who is a famous author. However Blake Beattie who was inspired by “Catherine Ryan Hyde” created “Pay It Forward Day” which is celebrated each year on April 28th. “Pay It Forward Day” inspires individuals worldwide to join this movement and to “Pay It Forward” for someone in their community. This can be anyone that is in your community or someone you encounter that you may feel is in need of and/or deserves some extra kindness in their life. Even though april 28th is the official day for this movement there are three hundred and sixty four days aside from that one so you should not limit yourself to spreading kindness solely on that particular day. To put it into perspective “Pay It Forward” can be described as a “ripple effect” where kindness is being spread and good deeds are being committed among many different individuals. Instead of directly paying back the person who helped you it is suggested that you “pay it forward” so you fulfill a good deed forward onto a new person. This creates a domino-like effect where each person that is impacted by this movement Pays it forward”. This can influence others to participate in it which in the fullness of time can stimulate and create a chain reaction. “Pay It Forward” is very inspirational as this movement is surrounded by feelings of compassion, generosity and joy. The impact this movement has is very large globally and it draws us closer to one another by making us feel a sense of belonging and by allowing us to feel cared for by one another. This is significant since the people who have been on the receiving end of the “Pay It Forward” movement are able to share their personal experiences with the people around them and spread awareness of this movement. Seeing as it is currently 2021 and technology is at its all time high individuals have a wide range of resources which allow them to: connect with others, share their stories and to hear about the interactions other people have experienced regarding this movement. These resources include but are not limited to the following social media platforms like: Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Blog Websites, TikTok, Twitter and many more. In addition to this, the very first time I had ever heard of this movement was seven years ago in 2014 when I was just ten years of age. My mother and I were on a road trip when we decided to stop at Tim Hortons for some food. As my mother was approaching the window to pay for her food purchase she had realized that she had forgotten her debit card. For this reason my mom was going to cancel our food order when she approached the window. After my mother told the Tim Horton’s worker that she had to cancel the order due to insufficient funds she was quickly reassured as the worker told my mother that our order was covered. My mother and I were confused about how this could even be possible as my mother did not have her debit card on her at that time. The worker at Tim Horton’s told us that the driver in front of us had paid for our order and told us to “Pay It Forward” onto someone else. My mother thanked the worker at Tim Hortons then she proceeded to catch up to the car that had paid for our order. After what seemed to be a 15 minute parked car conversation my mother and I were educated on this movement from the family that had previously helped us and this encouraged me to make a difference in the lives of others in any way that I could. Not too long after, my mother and I decided that each year we would store all clothes of mine that were still in good condition that I could no longer fit in and we would ship these clothes to less fortunate individuals in Jamaica along with items and toys. We have done this each year since 2014 up until now and we do not plan on stopping anytime soon. I am forever grateful for the family that helped my mother and I out that one day in 2014 as it changed my life for the better. I can only hope that the clothes that I give each year will do the same for those who need it. We are deserving of everything good this world has to offer and if I can assist in bettering the lives of others I will without hesitating.

-Shadaé Brown