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‘Tis the Season . . .
Since the basic premise of Pay It Forward is to pay forward or complete acts of kindness in multiples of three, it seems appropriate to discuss the season of the three big G’s—gratitude, giving, and gladness. Unfortunately, many people are facing natural disasters, financial hardship and personal crises, and it appears almost impossible for them to feel thankful for these times, or to even consider gifts, or to experience joy right now.
However, it is during these difficult moments that it becomes even more important to honor this season and its intended outcomes . . . to readjust one’s attitude in viewing these three G’s.
Here are a few ideas to spark your creative juices:
 Gratitude
Being alive
Sunshine
Love
Fragrant flowers
Dark chocolate
A hot shower
Toothpaste
The color purple
Libraries
Rain
The number three
Monopoly
A park bench
Oak trees
Freshly squeezed orange juice
Friendship
Warm socks
Bicycles
See if you can make a list of 365–one for each day–as my students often did.
Giving
Instead of purchasing presents this year, consider the following:
Make and give coupons for hugs, household chores, shoulder massages, etc.
Give gifts of food (cookies, cakes, a roasted turkey).
Sing carols at a nursing home, or read to the residents. Better yet, listen to their stories.
Spend time as a family feeding the needy at a soup kitchen.
Invite “orphans” to your holiday meals (those folks who have no family nearby).
Donate a favorite, slightly used toy to a child who has none.
Register as an organ donor.
Make all holiday gifts, the old-fashioned way.
Shovel snow for elderly neighbors all winter long.
Start a blanket and coat drive to provide warmth for the homeless.*
Collect school supplies for children living in the protection of shelter houses.*
(*these were started by my neighbors when they were small children and have continued for many years now).
In lieu of presents, make donations to organizations that make a difference all year long. Some of my favorites are Heifer Int., The Red Cross, numerous environment groups, and of course, the Pay It Forward Foundation. You can access our donations link by going to www.payitforwardfoundation.org
Everyone can give something. I encourage you to be creative with holiday “gifting” . . . in addition to feeling good, it can be far less stressful than the “business” of giving.
Gladness
The throaty purr of your cat on your lap
The giggle of a small child
The sun creating “diamonds on raindrops” following a hard rain
Sitting in front of a crackling fire watching softly falling snow
The laughter of your spouse watching old episodes of Cosby
The smell of Mom baking cinnamon rolls for a holiday breakfast
A wet kiss from your favorite grandchild . . .or puppy
Watching clouds float by on a windy day
Shouts of glee on a playground during recess
A daily walk filled with wonder . . .at any age.
‘Tis the season . . .
On behalf of everyone at the Pay It Forward Foundation, I wish you the three big G’s during this holiday season.
Anna Unkovich,
PIFF Education Director
(a volunteer position)
www.annaunkovich.com
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Click here for simple 1, 2, 3 steps to designing Pay It Forward projects in your classroom.
Click here for book excerpts.
Click here for information about our mini-grants.
click here for a file of free printable Pay It Forward cards and stickers
To watch PIFF videos, click here
A more comprehensive and detailed plan for incorporating Pay It Forward in your school...
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