Pay It Forward: A Stranger’s Kindness, A Global Movement

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Catherine Ryan Hyde, the author of Pay It Forward. Inspired by a life-changing act of kindness from a stranger in 1978, Catherine turned her experience into a global movement that celebrates the power of paying kindness forward. Join as we delve into her personal story, the ripple effects of her philosophy, and how small acts of compassion can transform lives and communities worldwide.



Please note transcription accuracy may vary.

Sources:
https://www.catherineryanhyde.com
https://payitforwardday.com/countries/uk/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pay-Forward-Catherine-Ryan-Hyde/dp/0552774251
https://www.google.com/search?
https://www.google.com/search?
https://www.google.com/search?q=catherine+ryan+hyde+pay+it+forward+lecture&sca_esv=266b1bbe5c3f6893&udm=7&biw=1200&bih=869&ei=VRmQZ9rvBL6phbIPnbzeiAU&ved=0ahUKEwia7qm06IeLAxW-VEEAHR2eF1EQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=catherine+ryan+hyde+pay+it+forward+lecture&gs_lp=EhZnd3Mtd2l6LW1vZGVsZXNzLXZpZGVvIipjYXRoZXJpbmUgcnlhbiBoeWRlIHBheSBpdCBmb3J3YXJkIGxlY3R1cmUyBxAhGKABGAoyBxAhGKABGApImB9Q1QhYph1wAXgAkAEAmAHJAqABzgeqAQc0LjIuMC4xuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIIoALvB8ICBRAAGIAEwgIGEAAYCBgewgIIEAAYogQYiQXCAggQABiABBiiBMICBhAAGBYYHsICBRAhGKABmAMAiAYBkgcHNS4xLjEuMaAHphY&sclient=gws-wiz-modeless-video#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:6b4bb3af,vid:OXbay3fN4Qk,st:0

Please note transcription accuracy may vary.

Music by - Neffex - don't want to let myself down 
Neffex - A year go

These examples illustrate the universal appeal of the Pay It Forward philosophy, showcasing how simple acts of kindness can create ripples of positive change across diverse societies.

Global Pay It Forward Day
https://www.globalpayitforwardday.com/

Pay It Forward UK
https://www.beckywells.com/pay-it-forward-uk.html

Suspended Coffees 
https://suspendedcoffees.com/

Good Deeds Day
https://www.good-deeds-day.org/

Transcript

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Hi, hi, hi. So the next few episodes will be authors where we will explore the works of influential authors who have left an indentable. I feel like that's an entire word. Who've left a mark on literature and society. In today's episode, I will delve into Katherine Ryan Hyde, the acclaimed author whose novel Pay It Forward inspired a global movement of kindness and altruism. It was 1978, before the times of mobile phones. Imagine yourself stranded on a road, you're feeling vulnerable and uncertain. That's exactly where Katherine Ryan Hyde found herself when her car suddenly broke down in the middle of nowhere. With no way to call for assistance, she was at the mercy of fate. Or was she? Perhaps maybe she was at the mercy of the kindness of strangers. That's how I like to think of it. She was at the mercy of the kindness of strangers. A man stepped out and offered help without hesitation. He didn't just help her restart her journey, he went above and beyond, fixing her car and making sure she was safe to drive away. When Catherine asked how could she repay him, his answer was simple yet profound, pass it on. That moment could have ended there, just a fleeting encounter, but instead It lived on in her heart, growing into an idea that would one day reach millions. It became a seed for her novel, Pay It Forward, a story that challenges us all to believe in the power of paying kindness forward, creating a ripple effect of good in the world. Hi, hi, hi. So the next few episodes will be authors where we will explore the works of influential authors who have left an indentable. I feel like that's an entire word. Who've left a mark on literature and society. In today's episode, I will delve into Katherine Ryan Hyde, the acclaimed author whose novel Pay It Forward inspired a global movement of kindness and altruism. Yay me that I could say it. Catherine was born in 1955 and grew up in Buffalo, New York. Her passion for storytelling emerged early, Influenced by her family's literary background. Before becoming a full time writer, Catherine held various jobs including working as a dog trainer and a tour guide at a castle. These diverse experiences enriched her understanding of human nature, a theme which is prevalent in her work. What makes kindness from a stranger so profound? It's the element of surprise, the absence of obligation, and the reminder that good exists in the world, even from those who owe you nothing at all. For Catherine, this act of compassion wasn't about repayment or reciprocating, it was about a shared humanity that transcends relationships or expectations. The stranger who saved her didn't linger for thanks or recognition. This anonymity. Elevated the act, leaving Catherine with a sense of awe and gratitude that stayed with her, long after the flames of her car were extinguished. It's a reminder that kindness, when freely given, carries a purity that is Uniquely powerful. The man's anonymity also allowed Catherine to focus on the act itself, as opposed to the giver, and this became the essence of the pay it forward philosophy. Helping others without expectation or reward. I did then, because I like to know things. So then I did try and see, did we ever know who the man was? No, we didn't. Catherine would never know who the man was. In a world often divided by distrust and self interest, The story highlights how kindness from a stranger can cut through cynicalism. It inspires us to think about the ways we might extend the same generosity to others in need without expecting anything in return. The book Pay It Forward was first published in 1999. Publishers Weekly would write that Katherine excels in her story of love that transcends time, place and human weakness. The book was then adopted into a film in 2001. My partner asked me who was in the film because I remember watching it years ago, like so long ago that I actually couldn't really remember and all I could remember was It had the boy in it, the boy from I See Dead People, and then it came to me, The Sixth Sense, not relevant, but he was in the film, once I read the book, I had to really think about why Pay It Forward was different to Acts of Kindness. The central character in the book is a child called Trevor. And I understand why it had to be a child. There's something profoundly childlike, but not childish, about the idea of paying it forward. It invites us to step back into a space of innocence and curiosity, where we believed in the power of goods before, before life started lifing, and setting limits on what we thought was possible and what wasn't possible. So, after I read it, and then I thought about it, and maybe paying it forward is less about what we do, and more about remembering who we were before we stopped believing one act of kindness can change the world. Trevor, the central character in the book. There are other central characters, but Trevor is the central character in the book. His idea was simple, but powerful. Choose three people who truly need help, people who can't do it on their own, and give them a reason to believe in the kindness of others. I am so sorry, but I am going to give away, it's like, just slight spoilers. His first choice was Jerry, a man who had fallen through the cracks of society, struggling with homelessness and addiction. To most people, Jerry was invisible, a man to avoid or dismiss, but not to Trevor. He saw a person in need of a lifeline and reached out with what he had, a meal. A place to sleep and a second chance. Trevor's kindness gave Jerry something he hadn't had for such a long time, hope. Many of us have experienced or given random acts of kindness. Buying someone coffee, something simple, holding the door open. and not knowing that that makes such a difference to that person who may have had the toughest day, the toughest week. But these small moments remind us that kindness exists in the world. But Trevor's vision was something more profound. He didn't just want to brighten someone's day. He wanted to change someone's life and spark a lasting ripple effect of kindness. By helping someone in a way they couldn't do on their own, Trevor challenged them to Pay it forward by lifting someone else in need, creating a chain reaction that could reach further than a single moment ever could. Think of it this way, a random act of kindness is a spark, a beautiful spark, but paying it forward is a fire that spreads warmth and light across lives and communities. I wasn't sure if I wanted to say that, but now I've committed. And then I had to delve into my memory bank because I thought, have I ever paid it forward to anyone? And I once paid for someone's shopping in a grocery store and. I remember the panic in her face, and it wasn't about the money, I just didn't want her to feel stuck or alone. And it was until reading the book, I forgot that had even happened, I remember her saying, I won't forget this, but now, I wish I had asked her to pay it forward, not in a monetary sense. but just helping someone that you see who needs it. I don't know what happened after that. That was our brief interaction. Maybe she paid it forward in some way or maybe that simple act made her day a little bit brighter and that's okay. Kindness doesn't always bloom where we can see it. It's like planting a seed. You trust that with time and the right conditions that goodness will come and ripple outwards in ways that you may never know. And that's okay. After the book was released Catherine saw a wave of kindness initiatives. Pay it forward became a movement in so many countries. Obviously I wanted to add them all but instead I put the links in the show notes. I will put this episode out again on the 28th of April, which is Global Pay It Forward Day, which was created by Blake Betty, an international speaker. and author from Australia. I really want to say whoop whoop to him and I already did. Between then and now I'm going to find three people to pay it forward to and then I will report back on how that went. This week, maybe think of one meaningful way you can pay it forward. It doesn't have to be grand, just an intentional act. And when you do, ask the person to continue the ripple of kindness. Together, we can create the world Catherine imagined in the book. one act a time. And I just wanted to add, and then I will be done. Kindness doesn't just change others, it nourishes your purpose and strengthens your belief in goodness. Or at least that's, that's what I find. Part of paying it forward is recognizing that your emotional well being fuels your kindness to others. Consider How moments of rest, reading and positive routines make you stronger for your acts of service. Kindness has a way of connecting us, even when you don't see the full picture. So at some point when I work out how to do it, I'm not there yet. I feel like there's a way when I upload episodes and they go out, you can actually see it. Communicate back to me. Probably should have looked into that. It's on my list. Because actually I'd love to hear your stories. How have you paid it forward or how has someone's kindness impacted your life? Share. Share. As I say to my four year old niece, sharing is caring. Share your story with me because you never know. who your story might inspire to plant their own seed of goodness. The book, Pay it forward. It's an easy read. It's an easy and quick read. And if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. However, warning, just know you'll be feeling all the feelings. Or maybe not. Maybe you're not like me who feels all the feelings. But when I finished reading it, I definitely felt all the feelings. And it got me thinking. It got me thinking more about the pay it forward philosophy. So that's it. Wishing you the best rest of the week and as per normal, be kind to others and most importantly be kind to yourself. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Bye.