As the heading of this article suggests, I’d like to discuss a brand new virus that every individual you know would benefit from being infected by.
As you are probably already aware, when an individual contracts a virus, 2 things are typically true. ONE – they show nearly identical symptoms to the individual who was their “infector”. TWO – It will not take too long before they will almost certainly infect numerous other people with precisely the same virus, thereby causing them to exhibit very similar symptoms all over again. These two characteristics of a typical virus are precisely what I would like to elaborate on here regarding a brand new virus that could potentially “heal the world” (or at least a large part of it).
The “Pay it Forward” Bug
You’ve likely heard the phrase “pay it forward” at least once or twice. The fact that this phrase is so well known is likely due to you having seen or heard of a movie that was filmed nearly 10 years ago, bringing the book “Pay it Forward” to the big screen. In the movie (and the book that preceded it), the phrase “Pay it Forward” was meant to mean that an individual should, when a good deed was done for them, pay it FORWARD to three new people, as opposed to paying it BACK.
Of course, this “paying it forward” ideal is certainly not new (nor was it at the time that the book was authored). It actually pre-dates even the well respected Ben Franklin who described “paying it forward” in the following manner:
“I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you […”> meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro’ many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”
It’s also useful to point out, I believe, that “paying it forward” shouldn’t always have to involve the giving of money or doing physical labor, although, often, it does. A much simpler approach to the “pay it forward” model is described in detail on my new website WhyTheCards.com, but below is the premise of the site (and the vision) in brief.
Encouragement & Appreciation Make a BIG Difference
Back in the early 1900s, Andrew Carnegie was in need of someone to head up the newly formed United States Steel Company. To fill the important position, he decided on Charles Schwab and started him at a salary of ONE MILLION DOLLARS per year or approximately $3,000 per DAY (during a period when a $3,000 ANNUAL salary would have been very good pay).
By Schwab’s own testimony, he was given this tremendously hefty salary because he knew how to appreciate people and draw out their best qualities.
Said Schwab, “I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among my people the greatest asset I possess, and the way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.”
The entire purpose of WhyTheCards.com is to use that powerful idea of recognizing and appreciating people’s gifts and apply it in a strikingly simple manner that can rapidly “infect” dozens, hundreds, thousands or even millions of people and turn them into chronic encouragers, always looking for ways to affirm and uplift the people around them.
As Simple as Sending a Postcard
Many people would likely be amazed to discover what a positive impact a simple postcard can have on an individual who’s just had a ridiculously hard day or is dealing with a serious personal or family tragedy – or even on someone who’s just had an exceptionally good day. For example, just a note to point out something special about their personality that really makes them stand out. Thank them for something kind they did for you or someone you know. Congratulate them for a recent promotion or just tell them you’ve been thinking about them.
You could even send a note to suggest that you wish to get together for dinner this Wednesday or to let them know not to make dinner this Friday since you’ll be bringing it over to them. Even better, use your postcard as an opportunity to encourage them to pay it forward and help someone else. As illogical as it may seem, assisting another person is often one of the most effective ways to make YOURSELF feel better (although that should never be your primary motivation for helping).
Many people could stand to receive a reminder that they are truly special and have value and that they have gifts that not a single other person on earth has which could be used to help people. It doesn’t matter how old or young they are, how sick they might happen to be, how stressful their life is right now, how many screw-ups they have under their belt, they STILL have a great deal to offer, but nobody will know that unless they actually offer it. It doesn’t have to require alot of time or money to encourage someone. A very simple card can mean the world and might be just what the doctor ordered.