40 Ways to Pay It Forward

This past weekend I celebrated turning 40 with family and friends, as well as by pledging this birthday to others.  By taking Birthday Pledge through the Pay It Forward foundation, I vowed to donate one act of kindness for each year being celebrated.

Truth be told, I was having quite a bit of difficulty accepting this birthday.  Forty just sounds… well, older.  Donating this birthday as a way to celebrate the years made moving into a new age demographic a little easier pill to swallow. 

Though 40 acts of kindness may sound like a lot for one day, it is absolutely doable.  Over 40 suggestions are listed below, many of which were done last weekend. Sometimes we have the time or resources that go a long way, yet it is important to keep in mind that often a smile is enough to brighten someone elses day.  Once you have taken the birthday pledge, here is how to donate your birthday by paying it forward:

Pay it Forward with Common Courtesy

Hold the door for someone.
Call your grandmother.
Say an extra thank you.  
Give a compliment.
Let someone go in front of you in line.
Give someone a hug.  
Treat a friend to a cup of coffee. 
Wish someone a great day or a wonderful weekend. 
Check on elderly neighbors.  
Help someone with their cart at the supermarket.
Thank a police officer or firefighter.

Pay it Forward by Using your Time

Volunteer with an organization.
Pick up litter. 
Send an email to someone to show your appreciation or thanks.
Donate a Facebook status. 
Donate a tweet at: http://justcoz.org/. 
Help serve food at a food pantry. 
Connect two people in business. 
Endorse a colleague on Linkedin.
Collect items for victims of hurricane Sandy.  
Walk or run a 5k for charity. 
Donate books to a local library. 
Play games for change online at: http://gamesforchange.org/. 
Donate toys to a local women’s shelter. 
Donate magazines to a hospital.   
Bake some cookies or pastries and take them to a local senior center or fire house. 
Donate your next birthday at: http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays.

Pay it Forward with a Few Extra Bucks

Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru. 
Make a monetary charitable donation.
Adopt a military family through Coupons to Troops at: http://www.couponstotroops.com/sign-up-to-adopt-a-family/. 
Pay off someone’s lay away.  
Purchase non-perishables or household items for people in need. 
Hand a stranger a $2 bill and tell them that you hope it will bring luck to them or their children. 
When you shop, buy items that donate proceeds to charitable organizations.
Bring a tray of pastries to your child’s school for the teacher’s lounge. 
Buy pet food or supplies and take it to an animal shelter. 
Send a care package to a soldier. 
Make a symbolic wildlife animal adoption at http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions.aspx.
Take flowers to a cemetery. 
Buy diapers or baby supplies for a women’s shelter. 
Purchase an extra toy and donate it to for Toys for Tots. 
Donate a tree to be planted in someone’s honor or memory at http://arborday.org.

So tell me, would you consider donating a birthday? In which ways would you pay it forward?