Pinterest & PIF (Pay It Forward) or ROAK (Random Act of Kindness)

I've always been the type to do things for others (thanks Mom), but it's always 'random'. And not with any thought prior to doing it. However, I've been... how should I say this?... 'occupied' with a new website called Pinterst.

About Pinterest...: There is something you need to know about this website first. I went there, kicking and screaming (well, not really KICKing and the screams were more like a 'rolling of the eyes and why do I need THIS in my life?' ) kind of attitude, and really didn't know why I've need an online bulletin board. (That's what this is, folks). I was 'invited' by my stepdaughter and a friend at different times, and ignored it. at first. Then I went there and opened an account.

If you haven't been there yet, STOP! Right now. DON'T go there. WAIT!...NOooo..... (oh, well, don't say I didn't warn you...).

It's pretty addictive. Just know that up front. But really, my first thought about it (why I wouldn't need it) was that it's great if you are looking for ideas for a wedding, decorating a room, recipes (but I like going to my recipe site already). But then I realized that I DO rip out ideas from magazines, put them in folders that I sometimes forget where the folder is, or I never get back to looking in the folders, so really. What's the point of my system as it is? Not much, I figure. So I said to myself, I'll just look at other people's 'boards' and see what all the fuss is. BIG Mistake!! What I never knew about this site is that it PULLS you in... leads you to other places (original links where you find valuable information), allows you to learn, and have fun getting ideas that you might never ever see presented the way Pinners present things. It's just wonderful.


Okay. This being said, I saw something on Pinterest that really opened my eyes. One saying under a photo (the photos are what sucks you into the boards) talks about one lady doing random acts of kindness (ROAK) for her 38th birthday. http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?p=1358

Here is an example of her acts....Well, my 58th birthday was yesterday, and though I'm late trying to do her idea for MY birthday(which, btw, was to do 38 random acts of kindness on her birthday), I thought my favorite brother's 60th birthday is in June. Here's my plan:

I will do 60 random acts of kindness by his birthday as a way of honoring him. I think he would outwardly think this is 'wacky', but inwardly be proud of me for doing this at the same time.

So today, I went off and tried to figure out what to do. Here's the day, so far.
1. After buying a few bagels at a local donut store, I told the man over at the drive-thru window I wanted to pay for the next order up on his screen. Another server heard me and peeked over at the total and said, "It's a big one"..."Like how big?" I asked, "$5.46" . I handed her a $10. When he told the woman in the van, she looked passed him at me and said..."What? Why... uh...?" (I think this is the best part of it-- getting them tongue-tied). I looked at her and said "just a random act of kindness". She thanked me as she drove off, but I loved the second server who poked her head around the corner and said "You'll get that back, ten-fold". I said over my shoulder as I was leaving, "I just did".

2. Filled my mom's best friend's bird-feeder and stuck orange slices for the Baltimore Orioles to feed on.

3. Got a sandwich to go, and as the man at the counter took the next person's order (they went to sit down) while I was waiting for mine, I asked if I could pay for their order. He didn't mind, but I think he thought I knew them (I didn't). When I told him not to let them know until I left, he realized I didn't know them. He just smiled.... (wish I could have seen their faces). Should have hung out around the corner to see him NOT hand them a check.

This, if fun. (although I must admit, I can't afford to do that all the time).