My Plan to Pay It Forward

My philosophy in life is to constantly surprise with kindness.

I've been known to compliment a total stranger on her beautiful smile. I call up store managers to tell them about a fantastic customer experience rather than to complain. And when my kids are busy at work or happy at play I've been known to suddenly scoop them into my arms to remind them how awesome they are. Just cuz.

I have a secret evil plan *Mwahahaha*. I am on a quiet mission to make the world a better place by constantly sending out positive vibes. My hope is by doing someone a good turn, he or she will eventually pass it on.

I model it for my kids. I practice it with the team at YMC. I do it daily on social media. I don't do it for a thank you. I do it because it makes ME feel good.

Have you ever bought the person behind you a coffee and watched a look of confusion and then joy on his face? I get off on that. Helping makes my heart happy.

So you can imagine how quickly I said yes when the folks at Kleenex invited me to take on the role of a Care Pack messenger to help them pay it forward through their Softness Worth Sharing program.

Maybe you've seen the ads on TV where you could surprise a friend with a free Kleenex Care Package?

I'm able to take this idea of sharing a Kleenex Care Package to the extreme. We're running a contest on YMC where you have to share a story of a time when you performed an act of kindness or when you were on the receiving end of it. And the Grand Prize Winner—anywhere in Canada—will be getting a knock on the front door from me with a huge Care Pack. Yes, there will be Kleenex, and there will also be a $1,000 Prize (you can choose to share either a Spa Day, Shopping Spree, or Dinner and Hotel Stay with someone special).

And, well, you'll have to invite me in for a drink. And chocolate. And maybe we'll watch American Idol or Mad Men together.

And then maybe you and I can sneak off to the local coffee shop, hand some stranger a Kleenex Care Pack, buy her a coffee and donut and experience the feeling of paying it forward together. And then you can join me on my secret mission to make the world a better place. *Mwahahaha*.

Kindness is good.