Pass it on

The  whole idea of "pay it forward" is based on the goodness inside of others. You're basically helping three people and you're putting your faith in those three people to help three other people. I think this is a great idea not only because it can change the world, but because it promotes good morals. People who are helped and even saved feel a sort of debt, to whomever saved them. Whether the person is actually grateful or whether their pride is at stake, people will put this idea into action. And it is those good actions that will change people's morals.

A lighter example would be those "pass it on" commercials. If people see a teenager helping an old lady cross the street or giving her their seat on the bus, then it makes everyone around them feel good. They may not be saying it, but they're thinking, "Wow, that is a great person, I should be more like them." Ok, maybe not that exactly and maybe the person isn't even thinking about that; but I know that later on, the bystander is going to compliment or open the door for someone. It also puts them in a contagious better mood.

However, I don't think that the idea will catch on. It's true people are nicer and more open than they were a hundred years ago, but it's not enough. I say this with all the kindness from my heart: People are selfish, lazy followers. No one is going to start to "pay it forward" out of the blue. Everyone is too busy with their own problems, with their own lives. People only help those that they know, they wouldn't think for a second about the stranger. And if someone does start to "pay it forward", it won't catch on. There are too many people who just wouldn't do it. They don't want to spend their time and energy on someone else, despite others spending time and energy for them. And then there are the exceptions of nobody being around to help, or the stubborn hard-headed people who tell you that they don't need help.

Maybe if it was advertised... in a way. Like some famous person making a commercial about "paying it forward." The idea would become more aware. If people saw "pay it forward" on television and the news, and on the internet, then it might catch on. But like a new trend or the "occupy" movement, people will lose interest and the movement will dim down and possibly die.

I haven't really had any "pay it forward" experiences. Most of my life has been about helping myself. I haven't made any big impacts to a person/stranger's life either. I always open the door for people or give a senior citizen my seat but that's it. Little things like that also help make the world better, and like I said, a good mood is contagious.

-Ares