A new friend of mine has a husband that suffered a massive stroke at the age of 48. I contributed a door dash card to a basket. I am going to play Bunco to raise funds for her family. I have reached out to let her know if she needs help with an errand or anything that I am here.

A woman boarded the train with 2 small babies, one in a double stroller and the other on her hip. My friend and I got up and offered her our seats so she could sit comfortably with her little ones. We’re technically senior citizens but able-bodied, so the bonus is we get to feel younger than we are 🙂

I gave 10 dollars to the first person I saw in the supermarket using reusable bags before Governor Murphy made it mandatory. I would say to them as I handed them the money ‘Thank you for making my day and helping our environment’.

Doing a good deed without expecting anything in return is the essence of paying it forward. True kindness lies in offering help without seeking repayment or recognition. The moment you expect something in return, it ceases to be a selfless act and becomes a transaction—a favor rather than genuine help.

A few weeks ago, I was on the bus to Target. A couple stops after mine, a lady with back pain was struggling to load her suitcase onto the bus. While others sat and stared, I walked to the front and helped her to her seat. Both she and the bus driver thanked me for the help, putting me in a good mood for the rest of the day.

This semester in bio lab, my tablemate had a family emergency and had to leave for three weeks. I stepped up to cover their lab work, ensuring they didn’t fall behind. I kept detailed notes, completed experiments, and helped them catch up when they returned. They were incredibly grateful, sharing how much it eased their stress during a difficult time. Our lab instructor also praised my effort, reminding me how simple acts of kindness can make a big difference.