Do You Pay It Forward?

Hey, how are you doing today? Have you had a good week? 

Have you had any "wow" moments this week? 

I have.

Something happened to me today, which almost brought me to tears because it was such a simple, but kind gesture. 

One of my colleagues brought me a coffee out of the blue while I was in class.

It floored me and I couldn't speak for a moment. (That never happens to me).

It was such a simple gesture but one I've never experienced while teaching. I'm always the one giving, but never receiving anything back. 

Do you give more than you take from others?

Do you notice people and greet them with a smile?

Do you give people compliments often?

I'm a gentle soul with a deeply caring nature. I try to be positive and upbeat with those around me even on the days when I'm struggling. 

The way I see it is that if I'm positive, my vibe will bring this across to others. They will then pay it forward to others. 

It's a bit like catching the flu. You sneeze and someone catches your germs. Except in my case I'm using positive vibes, instead of germs.

I have this simple rule to pay it forward with five acts of kindness every day. That is at least five gestures of something positive for someone else. 

So far, I've rarely seen it come back to me - until today. 

Have you had someone doing something unexpected for you?

How did it make you feel?

I've recently changed where I work. It was a decision that I made with a heavy heart because I needed the change for me. 

I had settled for less because of "reasons," and my therapist pointed out that I needed more for someone with my skill set. 

Working a job for over a decade and getting nowhere was slowly killing my energy and doing a number on my mental health. It didn't matter that I was enjoying the work. It was the work that was killing me, silently but surely.

I felt it. The feeling of being stuck in my career. I asked my boss for more and was ignored. I thought if I just worked harder, someone would see me but that didn't happen. I tried again and the same thing happened. 

I was under-valued and I burned out. I needed to resign. 

So I did.

I'm now a few weeks in my new job, and what a difference it is to be valued as an employee. 

I've received more small acts of kindness and compliments since I started than I have in forever. 

Changing your career can make a big difference to your overall wellbeing. 

If you're not happy, then think about the reasons why. 

What is holding you back from moving on?

There's always another sunrise on the horizon, bringing with it endless opportunities. 

Where will you go next?

My name is Lizzy. I'm a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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Here are a few links to my articles:

Looking for a Change?

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/looking-for-a-change-f391e85abbd7

A Search for Identity

https://medium.com/beyond-lines/a-search-for-identity-893df7c970c2

Are You Searching for Peace?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-searching-for-peace-cd54d76231c8

Are You Dealing With Burnout?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-dealing-with-burnout-374f774141b4