Today, April 4th is Pay it Forward Day. The idea comes from the novel Pay It Forward, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which was made into an inspiring movie in 2000, starring Helen, Hunt, Kevin Spacey and Haley Joel Osment.

Do between one and three good deeds for others without asking for anything in return. Instead the recipient should be instructed to pay it forward to someone else in need.

Actually, the concept goes back to Benjamin Franklin in 1784, when he said: “I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you […] meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro’ many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money”.

Shouldn’t we all try “Pay it Forward”on any day, not just on this particular Day?