Letting generosity thrive
One of the most heartwarming recent examples of community to hit the online world is the pay it forward movement.
Not too long ago the Internet started to become somewhat of a virtual garage sale. From Ebay, to Gum Tree and most recently the Buy, Swap, Sell groups on Facebook, it has never been easier to sell your unwanted stuff. In a way, having a plethora of fully functional online selling platforms reminds us just how much stuff we have that we don't really need. On any given hour pages overflow with old commodities, lingering patiently, waiting to find a new home. After all, it is best to recycle these old goods and make a few bucks rather than throwing them away right?
Well, while it's all well and good to make some easy cash from those sales, there are others who have found a more rewarding approach. An approach that provides much more than a monetary gratification, the approach of paying it forward.
The 'Marrickville Pay It Forward' Facebook group is the largest of it's kind in Sydney. It is a community of over five thousand generous, humble individuals who have pledged to help their fellow community members buy posting their commodities online, free of charge. It is a place where no monetary gain is to be made, a place where individuals have a mutual respect and understanding that others in the community may be in need of a little empathy and generosity.
Each day, items such as furniture, clothes, plants and even meals are shared for free. There have been stories of strangers helping with removalist jobs, families sharing warm, hearty soups to anyone in need on a cold winter's night and stories of small acts of kindness, such as baking a delightful cake so a child could enjoy their birthday party. Just by being a part of this group you can witness the deep-seated values of kindness instilled in one another, the increased awareness of the environmental impact we all bear, and the heightened sense of community connectivity that we all long for.
For me personally this page is an example that humanity is still rife in our society. In an era where the individualist in us often prevails, this group, and the many other groups alike, are examples that our empathetic values can transpire and that we are more connected than we choose to realise.
So next time you are looking to part from something old, instead of making a sale, why not give a little back and pay it forward. Your act of kindness will make a lasting impact on someone's life.
Below is a list of some local online platforms that accept free stuff:
Feel free to share your experiences of paying it forward. Generosity is a wonderful gift that we all possess.
Hey there..Its nice to read... now we can get quality product and many options by sitting at home. Thanks for sharing such a information.
ReplyDeletePay It Forward Movement