The Real Rewards Of Paying It Forward

What does it mean to ‘pay it forward’ from a spiritual perspective? On a simple level, paying it forward means we take a gift of kindness and pass it along to the next recipient, almost like a karma chain. We’ve all probably experienced such a gift, whether it was a cup of coffee, or a new car. But why do it in the first place? We’re all told that humanity is selfish, not selfless.

If we look at paying it forward beyond the superficial ‘it feels good,’ we see that it really does make us feel better on a physical and psychological level. Stress and depression rates are much lower for those who regularly volunteer, or perform acts of charity and kindness. Our brain experiences a ‘happiness boost’ almost immediately. Life expectancy is also higher for those who volunteer, compared to people who don’t. Doing selfless things simply does make us feel good.

A purposeful act or extension of kindness to another is never wasted, for it always resides in the hearts of all involved in a chain of love ~ Molly Friedenfeld

Spiritually paying it forward takes on a new meaning from a karmic perspective. Every person who receives an act of kindness may not reciprocate, but most of them probably will eventually. Recipients of random acts of kindness are likely to go out into the world and spread more kindness and positivity themselves. Kindness is often repaid with kindness. For both the giver and the recipient, a spiritual lift takes place. Even when we witness such an act, we’re more likely in turn to follow suit ourselves.

Generosity, it turns out, is contagious. This isn’t surprising considering humans, like most animals, are highly social. If we think of each person’s act of kindness as a small splash in a very big pond, with each rippling outward, eventually everyone will be touched by a very small act. Think of all the ripples overlapping. This, of course, also resonates on the spiritual plane. We are literally changing the atmosphere by paying it forward.

Maybe you’re skeptical about altruism? If you are, try to think of a time in your life when someone spontaneously did something nice for you. Think about how happy you felt. Chances are, you felt better about yourself, and wanted to give back somehow. It’s easy to become jaded or cynical in this day and age. Yet, it’s much easier and much more pleasant to perform an act of kindness for someone else, and enjoy the physical and spiritual rewards such an act brings.

Our actions are like ships which we may watch set out to sea, and not know when or with what cargo they will return to port ~ Iris Murdoch

We should not pay it forward because we think it will bring us some sort of reward on this plane, or the afterlife. We should simply do it because it’s the right thing to do. Our reward is that it will help us become healthier and happier.

If you’re wondering what you can do, it might be as simple as buying a stranger a cup of coffee. Who knows how much joy that one coffee might bring, or how it eventually will find its way back to you at the most unexpected time.