Reader's story: Pay it forward

February 2009

Share your stories with us at letters@canadianliving.com.

I loved Lisa Bendall's article, "50 Good Deeds" (December). I am always struck by the fact that we live in a society where people are encouraged to stand up for themselves, to be assertive and not be taken advantage of. We value those who get what they want. Yet, we seem to be slightly embarrassed when we quietly do good things for our neighbours and strangers.

I recently found a bag of clean, completely reusable clothes in a back alley while on my morning run. I took them home, washed them (even though they looked clean) and donated them to a local charity. I found myself hoping no one saw me carry home the bag! Why not? We should follow Lisa's example, no matter how uncomfortable the tentative initial exploration, and make a point to do a good thing – the right thing – each and every day.