Keeping Score

April 9th - Pay It Foward Day

We’re been raised not to give ourselves too much credit, not to tout our accomplishments and most of all, to never, never keep score. But on my drive home today I got to thinking about the ad in the local paper declaring April 9th, 2010 “Pay It Forward” Day. Albeit a very unique marketing tactic, it worked. I’ve spread the word about Pay It Forward day for the last 3 days!

Now what does this have to do with keeping score? Well, I decided that not only would I honor April 9th as Pay It Forward day, but I would up it to the whole week. Everyday this week I’ve done something, be it big or small, to deliberately better the world. And guess what? It sure feels good to believe in the good. I noticed that as I gave, I received hours if not moments later without expectation. Amazing how the act of letting go and choosing to focus on how we can be of service, frees each and every one of us to our own life.

I decided that it’s fun to challenge myself to find my next opportunity to Pay It Forward* by doing something nice for someone else and believing that in so doing, they will forward my kindness to another. Yes, I was keeping score, but not in the way that most of us do. I wasn’t keeping score as to when and who would “pay me back” but rather, I was on a mission to be so present that I could experience each and every moment of giving. And it occurred to me, isn’t that what life is all about?

Are You Keeping The Right Score?

So I ask you, what do you believe about your life and the people you walk this earth with? And are you keeping score of the wrong doings that have been done to you, or do you choose to see the good? I challenge you to take a look at what drives your mind. What do you really believe about the world? Is it out to get you? It it an inconvenience to you? Or is it fulfilling and full of opportunity and wonder?

Choose to see what you can do to better the world. This world owes you nothing because it has given you opportunity for anything and everything. It is up to you, however, to reach out and grab it. It’s all there, waiting for you to see, waiting for you to allow. Choose to see it today.

* If you’re looking for a wonderfully inspiring movie, watch Pay It Forward with actors Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment.