Paying Forward (or Backwards?) at Starbucks

Since meeting one of Paradigm’s employees just the other day, I have shared the story told to me about paying it forward with others. I even had an experience of my own that made me reflect on the difference paying it forward can make in my life and the life of others.  However small this may seem it made a difference in my day and reminded me of the good and thoughtfulness in others. I was at the local Starbucks drive thru after having a long somewhat stressful day at work.  I placed my order and pulled to the window. I pulled out my tired debit card to hand it to the young lady working the window. She smiled and said the lady before you in line just paid for your coffee. The young lady proceeded to tell me that the lady had said to her "I just want to put a smile on her face" and It did! 

I thought for a minute and looked in my rearview mirror. I saw a mother with children in her car. I then thought to myself, I want to put a smile on her face too. So I told the young lady I wanted to make that lady smile too and I paid for her order. The young lady kinda chuckled and said "I love this". I pulled away from the window smiling. Smiling not because I had gotten a free coffee but because I hoped in some small way I had a made a difference in that person's day.

So I just wanted to say, continuing to tell people of the good your company is doing and the great things that can happen from a simple act of kindness.  It’s contagious!