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Pass it on is a philosophy. It does not need to be monetary. It can be a smile, a friendly greeting, a gesture or any random act of kindness. Always keep in mind that you get more than you give. Passing it on has a definite boomerang effect.

A smile

A smile can go a long way. First, when you smile you use more muscles in your face than when you frown. Thus, your first benefit of getting more than you give. Secondly, when you smile at someone who is having a bad day they almost invariably smile back even if they do not want to or do not feel like it. A smile is contagious. When you smile on the outside, you begin to smile just a bit on the inside, which is a great stress reliever.

Did you know that smiling makes you more attractive and people are more drawn to attractive people. It also makes you appear more successful. Studies have shown that people are perceived to be more successful when they smile. Perhaps that is because smiling helps people to remain more positive. Positve people are more successful. Hence the ripple effect.

Smiling also is a great boost to the immune system. What a great way to beat out a nasty flu or virus. It lowers the blood pressure too. Test it out. Take your blood pressure when you are feeling blue then make yourself smile. Now take your blood pressure. It will most certainly be lower after the smiling treatment. To be funny and have fun also boosts the immune system. Laughter is said to be the best medicine.

Are you in pain, smile. I know, you do not feel like smiling. Give it a try. Smiling releases endorphins. It is nature's pain reliever.

So go ahead. Smile and pass it on. That's quite a gift for just a simple smile.

A random act of kindness

Offer a selfless act to pass it on and create the ripple effect. Mow a neighbor's lawn when they aren't home. You can do it and ask for nothing or you can do it and leave a sweet card annonymously stating: Your lawn has been mowed today by a caring friend. There is no need for a thank you just pass it on. Hold a door for someone not close by merely waiting a few seconds. Pay a strangers toll for them. Make a handmade card for someone and leave it for them anonymously. Buy some nuts and leave them for someone telling them you just felt like being a little nutty today and wanted to pass it on. It can be almost anything. Think of how you would feel receiving such a gift.

Money

One of my favorite shows on TV is when a host gives away money with the stipulation that they must figure out a way to pass it on. This challenges folks to come up with some creative and thoughtful ways to help others. It's called the ripple effect. One can only imagine the great feeling that the people who took a small amount of money and transformed it into much more generating so much needed support for others.

The Challenge

So go ahead. I challenge you today to figure out a way to pass it on. I would love to hear about some of the great pass it on events. Mine is going to be to have a great gathering today for people who would otherwise have spent the day alone. Proof that we get more than we receive. Go have a great day!