Pay it forward

I remembered yesterday while I was filling up the form as I signed up for this blogsite, about my favorite movies. One of my favorite movies is PAY IT FORWARD. This movie is very idealistic in turning the world into a peaceful one, where everybody shares, loves, and generous with each other. If only the viewers can absorb and internalize the message of the movie, it is not impossible to have peace in this world.

Pay it forward; it is the formula one can use in order to spread generosity, love and peace on earth. If you received a favor or anything from someone, then pay it forward, not with whom you received the favor but to other people who need your help. It is like a networking where you have to outsource or to connect with other people, thus creating a bigger network, a network of kind, loving and generous people. Here is my experience earlier relating to this topic.

This afternoon, while I was in a hurry going to school (that was about 12:30 PM), I haven’t ate breakfast even if it’s already lunchtime and I am really starving but I have no time to waste because I have to attend an orientation at 1pm. So I decided to buy the usual brownies from a vendor at the MRT (a rail transit) station so that I have something to eat as I alight the train. When I was on the train, I was thinking of what shall I write for my blog, lot of things came into my mind. Then we arrived at Taft Ave station, I rode a bus, still thinking of a good topic for my first formal post (since I had a warm-up post this morning as I signed up). My mind being pre-occupied, I forgot the feeling of hunger because of the excitement of writing a blog.

Then I alight from the bus at the waiting shed near the airport and waited for my last ride going to school. As I was waiting, I noticed this old man, a beggar with his old gray hair, the cracks of his thick yellowish skin was very eminent, and his mouth was half-opened breathing softly, his eyes closed while his old face makes an aura of weary and hunger. He was lying on the dusty floor. His hand is open and waiting for alms. My heart was very touched by this scenario, I realized that I am still lucky because my hunger will not last that long as what this old man is living with. Few people were also there standing at the waiting shed, waiting for their ride, but none of them seem to notice the old man (or they were just ignoring him?), and I was staring at him, thinking of how could I help him. I am not rich and I am just a student, I don’t have enough money to give, how could I help this old man? I was really pity, yet guilty.

Then I looked at may bag and saw the brownies that I bought. Without a second thought I got it from my bag and handed it over him. He was very surprised and suddenly got up; he seated and laid his back on the pillar of the shed. As he opened the packaging of the brownies, his eyes were at glow, for the thought of having something to fill his stomach. No words came from his mouth. The brightness in his eyes was already a sign of gratitude, that he was pleased with what I gave him. The people around seemed touched; guilty perhaps as they saw how the old man appreciates the little brownies I gave. One by one, they got something from their bags to give the old man. A not-so-old lady, who looked like a teacher, gave him a pack of biscuits; then a sales lady gave him a pack of juice. Maybe they also realize that they too can help even with those little ways of generosity. As I was riding the FX taxi, I was very happy that somehow I’ve helped this man and has been an instrument to wake up the people around, that we also have social responsibilities to our less fortunate brethren.

One of the principles in life my late father taught me is to live by the golden rule. He would always remind me, “Do not do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you… Always think: what if you were in his place? What would you feel?” If we were at the shoe of the old man (although he doesn’t have shoes, lol), how would we feel, being ignored by the passersby, that all we want is just something to eat? Most of us never realized that we were very fortunate that we are able and capable of having the life we’ve always wanted. And never did we know that sharing just “a bit” of these blessings would certainly help and make others happy.

Christmas is near and it is the season of sharing. May we share the blessings and the favors God has given us, to those who were out of our network; to someone we don’t know and especially to someone who’s in great need. Pay it forward. Happy Holidays.