Paying it Forward

Are you thinking - how does this relate to weight loss? Well, doesn't it relate to everything we do? Kindness, compassion, caring - it's certainly not going to hinder weight loss. Paying it forward helps not only the ones we are doing it to/for, but helps us feel good about ourselves. Be creative. Paying it forward can be tied to someone else's weight loss, and in the next step thus help you in progressing on your own - or even together. Everything is tied together. We're not just fat people trying to get thin, we are people. People who are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Have you ever felt obsessed about the scale, your food, the "regime"? This is a way to lift our eyes.

--Maren

Maren at the Ready For Summer Challenge suggested that in this week's mini challenge we write a post about how we pay it forward. 

Here in Blogville, I try to comment on a lot of blogs.  I know how much I enjoy support from you, and I try to do the same.  Sometimes I say the wrong thing, or it is taken in the wrong context (since there is no way to convey a tone here) but please know that I do mean it in a polite way, unless I warn you up front that I am kicking your butt.  ;-)

I try to remember what your struggles have been and refer back to that time, or how far you have come, or how you made it through a hard time.  I have no professional writing training, thus my comments and suggestions are always "from the heart" and sincere.  I want only the best for all of us, and for our goals to be achieved sooner rather than later, and without setbacks.

Here are a few things I do personally to "pay it forward":

- I am a good listener (I am told) so when someone wants to talk, I listen and if they want, try to offer suggestions or other points of view.  I am known for discretion, and will never repeat anything said to me in confidence to anyone.  Ever.  I expect the same from anyone I trust.

- When I cook up a big batch of soup, spaghetti, casserole, or have a lot of leftovers, I take them to my neighbors who are alone and don't cook very often.  I have several elderly neighbors who live alone and they are very happy to have a hot meal every now and then, along with a visit.

- I drive my elderly aunts to doctors' appointments.  Of course, this includes lunch, usually, and a nice visit while we ride.

- I anonymously pay unexpected expenses for friends who are not able to do so.  This has included auto repair bills, veterinary bills, and medical bills, to name a few.  Also, a few rent payments.

- I collect and carry basic supplies to those who have been displaced from their homes due to fire, tornado, flood, and other reasons.  These include soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers, paper towels, feminine hygiene items, shampoo, toilet paper, and also try to get together a change of clothes and shoes.  I know I certainly would appreciate these things if it happened to me.

- I visit friends in retirement homes and nursing homes.  I could do better at this, but it always seems to make the patients feel better, and it makes me feel good for having made the effort.

- I rescue and find homes for dogs and cats.  Also, I donate food and blankets.

- I send greeting cards:  get well, sympathy, thank you, birthdays, and write a brief personal note.

- I help my neighbors with their gardening - lifting bags of mulch, digging plants to move from one location to another, moving stones or bricks for borders, anything they are not able to do for themselves.  (Within my physical abilities, of course.)  I don't do ladders and climbing.

This should give some idea of things I do and things you could do to pay it forward.  I know I get much more pleasure out of this than the recipients.  And there is always a little extra time to open a door for someone.  You might be surprised how good the little things make you feel!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!