What is a ripple you might ask? According to the dictionary, a ripple is “a situation in which an event produces effects which spread and produce further effects”.

A perfect example of this is when you dip your toe in the swimming pool and a single ripple of energy spreads to the entire pool and may even interact with ripples from other people.

One of my favorite down time activities is to sit on the lounge chair on our lanai and watch the jet fountains sprinkle drops of water in the lake. These droplets of water form ripples that start small then stretch across the lake making little waves. The sound is peaceful and just watching the ripples is very calming. Studying these ripples make me to think of my life, causing me to question what kind of ripple that I might be putting out into the world. Is it a small ripple or has it formed into a small wave, and is it positive or negative? How does your ripple affect other people, your pets, not to mention the environment? What does your footprint look like? I cringe every time I use something that is made from plastic, as I am aware of how it affects the environment at large. That little act of daily usage could cause a ripple that will affect the world more than we may ever know.

I have been fortunate to meet many shining stars that make a positive ripple wherever they go. Touching lives in the most positive and powerful way. What does your ripple look like? Have you confined your ripple to a small gathering of family and friends or is your ripple felt in a much larger way?

The wonderful thing about a ripple is that it can be any size, you can keep it small or make it larger determined by the amount of energy you exert. However, once you start a ripple it is difficult to stop, just a reminder to be mindful of the kind of ripple that you create. Have you ever said or did something that you regretted, and it started a series of events that had negative consequences? On the other hand, you may have done or said something that started a positive wave of events and may have been felt on a much larger scale.

The pandemic was an example of the ripple effect, as it started with a small event that boomeranged around the world creating havoc and chaos. Hard to stop once it got rolling and we are still feeling the consequences of that event today.

Have you given any thought to your ripple effect? Do you put out positivity that radiates to a small group or extends to something larger? I have found that negativity is very draining not only to yourself but to others. How far have seen negativity make a ripple effect forward? From you, to family, to friends, to co-workers, to social media, etc. The ripple effect of that energy may be endless and could even last a lifetime. Is there someone in your life that has been the cause or the recipient of a ripple effect that has made relationships uncomfortable or even unhealthy? It may have started with one unkind word or deed and led to something more.

My hope is that we all can be mindful of the energy that we exude as it does have its consequences. Remember, a ripple starts with both me and you, and it creates its events both positive and negative. What kind of ripple are you going to start?

Just imagine if we all worked together to create a beautiful ripple how amazing the world would be. I hope you start a positive ripple by saying a kind word, doing a good deed, conserving resources, and just thinking about how your actions affect others as well as the world around you. What kind of ripple are you going to make?