When was the last time you received kindness from somebody? When was the last time you extended an act of kindness to someone else, and to what end? As it turns out, there can be tremendous merits and outcomes in paying forward a kindness received with a good deed to somebody else, especially when done out of gratitude. The concept of "Paying It Forward" is nothing new, but in our world, I believe we could do with more compassion and selflessness as it brings out the best in us.

The Art of Paying it Forward Without Spending a Dime

When we pay it forward we commit an act of selflessness that transcends our connection to other humans on the planet, elevating the human experience in a positive way. Whether it’s a showing of kindness, faith, or even compassion, it all makes a difference and can potentially trigger a chain reaction of reciprocated behavior.

The Power of Altruism

Classical economics adopts a model that says people are primarily driven by material self-interest. Political science assumes that people are driven to maximize their power. But this worldview is clearly wrong. In real life, the push of selfishness is matched by the pull of empathy and altruism. This is not Hallmark card sentimentalism but scientific fact: As babies our neural connections are built by love and care. We have evolved to be really good at cooperation and empathy. We are strongly motivated to teach and help others.

The Paying it Forward Paradox | Wayne Baker | TEDxUofM