Author Topic: Keep Paying It Forward (Read 3600 times)

Kailef · « **on:** July 04, 2021, 09:47:49 AM »

We here in PIF Silvergate haven't been playing games together very much lately, but I wanted to remind everyone that you are all still members, even if we haven't heard from each other in a while. What does that mean? It means, don't forget to Pay It Forward, of course!

This guild was forged on the idea that helping others is its own reward. I believe that to be the case whether you are playing a multiplayer game and helping a new player learn the ropes, or playing the "game of life" and helping a friend, co-worker, or even a stranger who needs assistance. Remember, when you help someone, tell them that there's no need to pay you back or thank you. Tell them to Pay It Forward, and help someone else who needs help when they have the ability to do so, and tell them to keep the chain going.

Imagine the change that could be made in the world if we all did this? Sure, someone may take your help and not Pay It Forward, but what if they do? What if the chain never stops? It may sound silly, but ripples of one good deed have the potential grow into a wave that affects people decades, or even centuries, later.

Will you get credit for it from other people? No. But that's not why we do it.

So please: Pay It Forward.

Kailef · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2021, 02:25:08 PM »

Take a moment to consider this, though... Most of us are sci-fi and fantasy fans here, right?

Think about all the times we've watched a movie or read a book about time travel. Think about how often those characters will talk about how they need to make sure that they interact with people as little as possible, so that they don't "change the future".

But here we are, in the present, right now. We have the opportunity to do just that, to change the future. Maybe I'm being idealistic, but I really think that with a little bit of effort, we can make the world a better place, with ripples that will last long after we are gone.

abner · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2022, 04:24:33 AM »

What do you propose?

Kailef · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2022, 05:06:03 PM »

I recommend doing things that make a difference for people, and asking them only to perpetuate the chain in a similar fashion when they have the opportunity to do so, and to keep the chain going.

By "make a difference" I don't mean to pay for the person behind you in line at Starbucks or something like that. Granted, that's a nice gesture, and in some cases it might mean a lot, but when it comes down to it, they were already in line and prepared to pay. My idea of Pay It Forward is to do something meaningful for another person that either they cannot do themselves, or have chosen not to do because the personal cost to them or their family is too great.

I can give a few examples of things I've done. One of our guildmates once had their computer die on them, and they couldn't afford to buy another gaming computer. I put something workable together with spare parts I had available, and shipped it to them. They got to continue playing WoW with us because of that. I've had students in my karate school who couldn't afford to pay, but I let them train at no cost. I commissioned art for someone who I knew would really appreciate the gesture, but wouldn't have ever done so for themselves. There have been a number of other instances where I've volunteered my skills and time to help people who really needed it. You get the idea. In pretty much all of these instances I didn't tell anyone else about what I was doing, but I told the recipient not to pay me back, to Pay It Forward, and explained how to do it. I have no idea if any of the chains that I tried to start are still going, or even got passed on to anyone, but it doesn't mean that I don't keep trying.

Jester · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2022, 12:52:20 AM »

"I have no idea if any of the chains that I tried to start are still going, or even got passed on to anyone, but it doesn't mean that I don't keep trying."

Oh, they're still going. I'm 18 years deep into paying it forward since this guild adopted my wayward self and it's still a big part of my philosophy. As someone who works with young people, I tell them to do it all the time. Never saw the movie either, and still haven't - my entire experience of Paying it Forward started here.

Believe!