Recycle... Freecycle... Pay it Forward

When I was a young child, I remember reading and hearing about recycling: cans, newspapers, bottles. The milkman would bring the quart bottles, you left the empties, they sterilized them and reused them. Today, we all recycle. There are specific bins used for town pickup, designated trash containers set up in shopping malls, theme parks, stores, etc...

Now we have Freecycle: where you can post gently used items looking for a new home, exercise equipment bought and forgotten, that's taking up space for the new 60-inch plasma TV. You post it, someone says: "I'd like to have that, where do I pick up?" And off it goes. Pay it forward is a similar concept, doing something for someone (a family/friend/stranger) without reason, finding a way to help your community, giving without expecting to receive. 

I look for ways to help others, in business and my personal life. I do it because I want to, not because I expect something. This is the time of year we all clear away the clutter to make room for our Christmas trees, decorations, the boxes and bags... Sorry, I suddenly felt like I was reading the Grinch aloud. 

I've been inspired to Freecycle, or pay forward, all of our things we can no longer use. Keller Williams Realty, Westboro is partnering with Y. O. U. Inc. of Worcester, collecting old duffle bags or suitcases for their "Bag of Hope," The Suitcase Project,  for the many kids and teens first entering foster facilities. I am blessed to have two wonderful sons. If I can give something small to someone else and help them transition through a tough situation, that to me is the spirit of paying it forward.