Pay It Forward

If you have the power, the money, the connection, the wherewithal to help someone in dire straits, would you come on board and offer your assistance, no questions asked?

And how delighted would you feel to know that this timely relief has significantly lifted the burden off the hapless person. 'Praise be to God, you have saved the day!' exclaimed the ones down on their luck.

That's what crossed my mind when I received news that intervention of the highest order was executed at the eleventh hour. For the sake of those involved, I'm careful not to disclose any details and I hope those in the know would exercise similar discretion.

What I would like to concentrate on is the miraculous gesture that this Godsent person has kindly channeled to those in need. Given the magnitude of risks, he or she could have just backed out, refused to take part in the person's misery and scooted away. But he or she assented, with the usual practical conditions attached which in turn gave enough room for the unfortunate other to regroup his strategy.

Since this display of magnanimity sprang upon them without a previous quid-pro-quo arrangement, I believe the most commendable way to show one's gratitude is to pay it forward. Pay what? you ask. It is a sociological concept whereby one repays a person's debt or kind gesture by helping a third party, instead of paying it back to the first party.

In my particular case however, the debtor will eventually have to pay back whatever he owes the creditor. My point is that in the interim those affected and gained by the succor should pay forward to a third party, by dispensing their energy, money, advice and so forth.

My mother, for instance, is a proponent of this Pay It Forward philosophy, or rather her version of it. In its primordial form, she reckons it all come down to rezeki, or loosely translated as bounty, tangible or otherwise.

The good deeds that you've done would somehow be rewarded in the most unexpected manner, or when you least expect it. Good karma begets good karma, I'd say. :)

For Mama, making sure that everyone at home has enough to eat or becoming an exemplary hostess to her slew of visitors is a matter of paramount order. She attends to them to the best of her ability, even though she might have to scrape together the last of her rations. Despite the fact the person(s) she feted might be someone whom has been unpleasant to her, she couldn't bear to eat if the other person is not being nourished as well. It's in my mother's nature. To her folly or her benefit? You be the judge.

As I was saying, everyone must practice paying it forward because we can never know when you ever need that crucial aid to crutch your affliction. This chain reaction of unconditional acts is very beneficial in the long run as it not only promotes a healthy self-image for the payer, but also fosters a caring, indispensable network of payees.

So what else are you waiting for?