The Spring Hill Pay It Forward Community Festival Vision
The Spring Hill Pay It Forward Community Festival got it’s origination from the concept based on the movie ‘Pay It Forward’ or the novel of the same name, a story about a young boy who did 3 good deeds for others in need. In return, all that the child wanted was that they pass on the good deed to three other people and keep the cycle going.
But it goes further and deeper than that. The heart of SHPIFF is the ever important principal of giving, of doing kind acts for others, of doing unto others as you would want done to you. It’s about practicing being good to other without expecting anything in return but in fact…it does return to you!
This principal is not only important in our personal lives but is important in the midst of a body of people who form ‘community’. A community is only as good as the people who make up that body of people.
It always comes down to the actions of people as to the kind of environment and conditions we produce and the results of those actions can be positive or negative…take-take or win-win.
The concept of paying it forward is so wonderful for a number of reasons:
- It turns our focus away from ourselves. Instead of the usual thought pattern of “How can I benefit from this?” or “What’s in it for me?” the question of the day is more like, “How can I create a little happiness for someone?” or “How can something I do let someone know, with no strings attached, that kindness is still present in others?”
- It’s centered on giving rather than taking. I think taking is fine. Taking or receiving is what we do when someone gives us a gift. It’s certainly what drives most dreams — we go out and claim it, make it happen, both are forms of taking. But giving — the ability to give — is a gift unto itself.
- Its joyful both ways. Doing something nice for a perfect stranger can generate an unmatched feeling of pure joy. As well, being on the receiving end where you least expect to find kindness feels a lot like hot cocoa and a soft, warm blanket on a stormy day.
This was so well said we quoted it from the 50 Simple Ways to Pay It Forward by Belinda Munoz.
The hope and aspirations for the Spring Hill ‘Pay It Forward’ Community Festival is to celebrate and connect with our neighbors in the greater Spring Hill-Thompson’s Station. To encourage us to make an extra effort to take care of each other and in-turn take care of our community, our neighbors, our schools, our churches, our businesses and those organizations that faithfully serve our communities.
Idealistic…we don’t think so! How about you?
The Spring Hill ‘Pay It Forward’ Community Festival is brought to you by: Spring Hill FRESH.
