Recently, we organized a 'Paying it Forward' contest on Instagram, where participants could nominate a small business in our community that they thought deserved more exposure. The reward was to feature the winning business in an article along with a series of social posts. The victor was Jameson Electric, a family-run electrical services company located in Prescott Valley. As it turns out, the Avila family, comprising Eric and Fatima, are exceptional humans. We had a delightful time learning about them and crafting their journey into words.

Paying it forward is something I have been interested in since first learning there was such a thing, and the idea for this blog post has been brewing in my mind since the inception of Prescott Days Magazine. Maybe "concept" is a more accurate word than "idea" to encapsulate what I'm trying to express. Throughout this past year, I witnessed events that caused a sentiment to form in my subconscious. That thought has since moved from the depths of my mind and settled into a lounge chair in the center of my prefrontal cortex. The question I aim to answer with this blog post and these stories is, 'What does it mean to pay it forward?' The standard definition is "an expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying the kindness to others." While technically accurate, I want to delve into the emotion—the feeling that instigates one to pay it forward, which, I believe, when witnessed, can cause a visceral emotional response. What triggers our brains when someone does good for us and motivates us to propagate the goodness rather than hoard the benefits? The experiences I've had over the past year have reshaped my understanding of what it means to do good, what it means to be a good person, and the brutal realization that I am, at best, a moderately not bad person.

I knew there was a story I wanted to share, but I hadn't managed to assemble all the pieces in a coherent way. A couple of weeks ago, during Memorial Day Weekend, I was lost in contemplative silence, reflecting on the numerous sacrifices many have made at the altar of freedom. In this quiet moment, I experienced an epiphany, and everything fell into place. I know the story I want to tell. And strangely enough, I now know what I want to be when I grow up. This is a significant tangent that will need to be explored in another blog post. The story I want to tell here, is about three individuals who have made it their life’s work to pay it forward. While absorbing the stories of these individuals and their actions, I was reminded of a quote by Lao-Tze, the Chinese Zen master credited with founding the philosophical system of Taoism. In his book "The Way of Virtue" he says, "Great acts are made up of small deeds". The stories that follow are literally that. Thousands, sometimes millions, of small deeds manifest into life-changing events. To properly tell this story, though, I must journey back approximately a year to the most unlikely of places: Murphy’s Restaurant in downtown Prescott.

It was our 10-year wedding anniversary, and I wanted to eat a nice meal with my family. We had originally planned a vacation to Hawaii to show the kids where we got married, but with covid restrictions still in full effect on the island, the prospect of paying for two rooms and having most activities closed forced us to kick that can down the road a few years. So, I opted for the next best idea: I took the family to Murphy's for an escargot appetizer, a massive prime rib, and an ice-cold Stella Artois to wash it all down (or three). Mrs. Lyons indulged in the finest grape juice Murphy’s has to offer, and we relaxed as the kids took advantage of the very generous bread and butter policy. It was not exactly how we had planned our 10-year wedding anniversary, but it was perfect. At one point, I noticed a couple that seemed to take a bit of an interest in us. They were sitting at a table diagonal from where we were located. I chalked it up to the ‘Why do people bring kids to a nice restaurant?" vibe and continued to enjoy myself. Maybe after our third child I had become callous, or maybe I secretly agreed with them; regardless, I couldn’t have been more wrong in my assessment of those fine humans than if I had suspected them of harboring weapons of mass destruction and taken a pre-emptive strike right there on the floor of Murphy’s Restaurant.

With the thought of a pre-emptive strike fading in my mind, I flagged the waiter down for our check. We had been there for a little over an hour, and it was time to go. The natives were getting restless, and we had a nightcap planned for after the kids went to bed. The waiter brought the check back after running our card, and I was surprised to see she had made some sort of grievous error. She had only charged us for the ice cream that we had ordered at the last minute. I showed the check to my wife while making some ridiculous comment about maybe we just give her a good tip and don’t mention the appetizers, dinner entrees, multiple beers, and bottle of wine we went through? She smiled gracefully while giving me a swift kick to my inner thigh under the table, and I quickly flagged our server down. I pointed out that she seemed to have forgotten to put our entire meal, save the one ice cream, on our receipt. A broad, warm smile came over her face as she corrected me and said that she did not, in fact, make a mistake. The couple that was on my radar for some good old-fashioned forced democracy had actually paid our entire bill. (If you eat at Murphy's, then you know dinner and drinks for a family of five can get expensive quickly.) It was one of only a few moments in my life where I was truly dumbfounded. It took my brain about 10 seconds to process the information being passed to me. I remember the waiter’s response to my mumblings perfectly. She said, ‘They told me your family reminded them of the good times they had with their kids all those years ago, and they wanted to pay it forward and do something nice for us." Pay it forward. That was a phrase I had heard for as long as I can remember but never really contemplated the meaning behind it. Little did I know that a random act of kindness at Murphy’s Restaurant would send me down a path of self-reflection, compassion, and empathy.

Just Knate

Just Knate stands as a beacon of hope in the Reno community, illustrating that each of us holds the power to make a profound impact on the lives of those less fortunate. His unique method of 'paying it forward' consists of reaching out to individuals clearly facing hardships, typically those living on the streets, and inquiring how he can help. Knate's initial acts of kindness are characterized by the provision of backpacks packed with vital items such as socks and toiletries—simple comforts that individuals living on the streets profoundly appreciate. But his benevolence transcends material aid. He offers an invaluable gift: a human connection, solidified through a humble handshake or a warm hug, underscoring the inherent dignity of each individual he encounters. This resonates particularly with those who often feel overlooked by mainstream society, to whom even the basic act of engaging in conversation and acknowledging their struggles is of immense value.

Knate has effectively harnessed the power of social media to mobilize goodwill and foster societal change in his local community, which is important because sometimes many people want to do good but get stuck in the grandiosity of the challenge. Yes, there are starving people all over the world, and we all want to help. However, there are also starving people right down the street that you can actually roll up your sleeves and go help tomorrow. His mission is both modest and deeply meaningful: to improve the world around him, one act of kindness at a time.

Knate emphasizes the collective power of a community united in the pursuit of a common cause. His video series, funded by thousands of small donations, depicts the diversity of human needs and the enormous potential within each individual to help fulfill these needs, whether through a smile, teaching a skill, or lending a listening ear. His videos, where he assists Reno's homeless, have attracted an incredible following, with his TikTok account alone garnering over 48 million views. These heartfelt stories, featuring small acts of kindness like purchasing someone a meal or offering a place to rest, have deeply resonated with viewers, stirring them to contribute to the cause. As his follower base expanded, so did the influx of donations, enabling him to extend his philanthropic efforts significantly. A poignant example involves a homeless couple, William and Sandra. Upon learning of Sandra's cancer diagnosis, Knate's supporters rallied together, providing the couple with enough funds for motel accommodation until William secured employment.

Knate's inspiring journey underscores social media's immense potential as an instrument for tangible, positive change. It serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can generate waves of positive impact in our communities. By selflessly paying it forward, Just Knate paints a vibrant picture of the potential each of us holds to make a significant contribution to our local community.

Just Knate’s website can be found HERE. On the website, there are links to all his social media accounts as well as the different GoFundMe campaigns he is currently running.

Peter Bond

Peter Tolentino, aka Peter Bond, is a remarkable figure in the realm of social media philanthropy and has mastered the art of paying it forward in the most humble and profound manner. With over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube and a TikTok following of 2 million, his content has accumulated an impressive 50 million views across platforms. Despite this widespread recognition, Peter maintains his day job, choosing to dedicate all his earnings from his social media exploits to aiding the less fortunate subjects of his videos. His audience spans the globe, yet his efforts focus on the homeless community in New York City, exemplifying the power of local action.

A significant aspect of Peter's mission is his generosity in providing substantial financial assistance to those he meets. With each interaction, he hands out between 500 and 1,000 dollars, a life-changing amount for those living on the streets. He captures heartwarming reactions that are frequently characterized by amazement and disbelief, with many recipients referring to him as an "angel." These moments of raw human emotion, captured in Peter's videos, illustrate the profound impact of his generosity, shedding light on the dire circumstances that these individuals navigate daily.

Peter's unique approach goes beyond mere financial aid. He pays it forward by fostering a genuine human connection with those who feel forgotten by society, often taking the time to sit down and ask about their wellbeing. For many, Peter's simple question, "How are you doing?" is a poignant moment of recognition and respect they haven't experienced in years. This simple act of engagement uplifts their spirits, demonstrating how paying it forward is as much about offering emotional support as it is about providing material assistance.

Continuing the cycle of goodwill, Peter regularly follows up with those he's helped, documenting their progress and success stories. These narratives, though varied in their degree, consistently demonstrate the transformative power of his assistance and the hope it instills. What truly distinguishes Peter's work, however, is the personalized notes of inspiration he hands out and words of encouragement such as "The higher the climb, the better the view" and "You can repay me by not giving up." These empowering messages serve as constant reminders for the individuals he meets that they are seen, valued, and capable of overcoming their current circumstances.

Through his innovative use of social media, Peter Bond has positively impacted hundreds of lives, illustrating that to pay it forward is to infuse acts of kindness with respect, dignity, and, above all, humanity. This makes Peter an inspiring example of how one person's commitment to doing good can create a ripple effect of positive change.

You can find links to all of Peter’s social media HERE. However, being a non-influencer, some of his links don’t work, so a quick Google search will bring up his TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. I do recommend getting a tissue ready if you stroll through his TikTok or Instagram, though, FYI.

Aaron Murphy

Well, folks, if you needed a tissue to get through Peter Bond’s TikTok, you are going to need the entire box to get through this one. Aaron Murphy's story is one of the most incredible I have ever heard. In the realm of philanthropy, the tale of Aaron Murphy stands apart. His story began with a backpacking trip of self-discovery across South America, where a newfound friendship with Venezuelan immigrants exposed him to the stark realities of political turmoil and economic hardship. However, the defining moment in his life arrived amid the unexpected onset of a global pandemic. Stranded in Northwestern South America with $200 left to his name, Murphy gave his last resources to a family struggling to put food on the table, an act of generosity he shared on his TikTok account. The unexpected deluge of positive responses and donations that followed this act marked the birth of a remarkable mission and the formation of a massive online community. In less than three years, Murphy's social media platforms have grown to a following of over 10 million people, yielding 105 million monthly impressions and 10.5 million monthly engagements. Incredible.

Murphy's altruistic endeavors evolved into 'Murph's Life Foundation,' an initiative born from the heart-wrenching stories of human struggle and the need for uplifting support. With funds accumulated from his considerable online following, he has created waves of change in the lives of those most vulnerable. His efforts span a wide array of initiatives, from introducing families to their first beach trip to empowering widows to own and manage their businesses. Murphy’s primary focus, however, is geared towards children ensnared in unfortunate circumstances. He's given countless children their first toys and shoes and even refurbished an entire orphanage, providing clean rooms, functional bathrooms, and computers for educational purposes. Many of these children are victims of cartel violence—an indirect consequence of the narcotics trafficking industry in South America—emphasizing the urgency and significance of Murphy's work.

Perhaps the most touching example of Murphy's philanthropy revolves around a terminally ill cancer patient. Recognizing the emotional and financial toll of her diagnosis, he rented a house for her and her husband, filling it with enough food to lift the burden of their struggles in her last months. Funded by his followers, Aaron's acts of kindness have translated into millions of dollars directed towards homes, businesses, and facilities for the most disadvantaged. Aaron Murphy’s journey encapsulates the spirit of paying it forward, transforming hardship into hope, and illustrating that each of us has the potential to make a substantial difference. In sharing the narratives of these marginalized communities, he reminds us that through determination, compassion, and love, it is indeed possible to change the world for the better.

It is impossible to put into words what you see Aaron accomplish in the videos he posts. Sometimes spending as much as $50K–$100K per family to get them a new home and business built. Absolutely incredible. The most incredible thing about all of the stories above is that these acts of compassion and kindness are comprised of thousands, if not millions, of small acts of kindness. I suppose Lao-Tze was correct; great acts really are made up of small deeds.

Aaron's website, Murph’s Life Foundation, can be found HERE. His TikTok HERE.