A new public service ad from the United Way of Mid-Maine demonstrates the old saying that what goes around, comes around, especially acts of kindness.

I've tried to live by this principle in recent years. When I was a young, single mother, we struggled. I remember many nights when dinner was a 50 cent box of macaroni and cheese and a 99 cent package of hot dogs, split between me and my three children. My parents helped me so much back then, I'm not sure how we would have made it otherwise.

So, now that my children are grown and I'm only responsible for myself, I try to pay it forward. It's important, I think, to repay the kindnesses that have been paid to us, even if it's by helping someone totally different. And it can be such an easy thing to do. Whether you donate food to a soup kitchen or volunteer your time to hammer nails for Habitat for Humanity, you're helping make someone else's life better!

I know I'll keep this video in my heart as I go through my weekend, and will try to find ways to do some random acts of kindness. I hope you will too!

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