Pay it Forward

One of my co-workers started riding her bike to work recently. I was impressed when she made this decision, particularly because she lives 19 miles from our office (about twice the distance I ride, one-way). Last week she told me that a friend of hers has also started riding her bike to her work. Her friend said, "I just wanted to let you know that you inspired me to do this." My co-worker said that she could not take the credit, because I had inspired HER to start riding to work. I was gratified to have had this effect, but I think the larger point is that our behavior can influence others in unexpected ways, even if we never hear about it.