It should not come as news to most of you that one of the things that has shown to improve well-being is doing good for others. Helping out a friend, volunteering, practicing random acts of kindness, and other good things can all lead to a more fulfilling and happy life. One thing I always try to impart on my children is that doing good has it's own internal rewards (I am somewhat critical of our current culture of rewarding kids for everything). The act of doing good should never be because you get a gold star next to your name or it looks good on your college application. Paying it forward means when people have done good things for you, you should in turn do good for others. I have been fortunate to have had some success in selling my jewelry creations, and for that I am very grateful. Anyone who makes and sells art knows how difficult and frustrating it can be. One of the biggest difficulties is that what I am selling is truly a luxury item. Nobody really needs jewelry. It is not as if am selling a luxury necessity item, like artisan bread or handmade soap, what I am selling is truly an indulgence. It is for this reason that I am extremely grateful every time someone makes a purchase from my booth at a show. Very often, people come in and admire something, then say something along the lines of" I just can't afford it right now". I can say very honestly that I understand. I have been on an extremely tight budget before and I know what it is like to barely have enough money to pay your bills. Even now that we are somewhat more financially comfortable, there are always vacations, retirement, college funds, house projects, car repairs, and many other things (not to mention those wonderful unexpected appliance failures that always seem to happen in threes!) to save for that make buying a $50 piece of jewelry a real indulgence. It is for this reason that I have not once been upset or looked down on someone when they spend time looking in my booth but don't make a purchase. This is why I feel truly blessed when someone does make a purchase, and because I have been blessed, I like to pay it forward and purchase art from others. I have spent $60 on a piece of jewelry that someone made because I know they loved creating it, and by purchasing from them, I am helping them pursue their dreams and keep doing what they love.
However this translates to your life, just do it. Putting good out in the world is never a bad thing when there is so much ugliness, and you will feel better for doing it. If you do it for others, they will be inspired to do good for someone else, be it purchasing art, mentoring someone, letting that harried mother with the melting down kids go in front of you at the supermarket, offering a listening ear to a friend in need, what ever it may be, just do it. Pay it forward.
