My kids talk about karma. I talk about grace, the Holy Spirit, and about life-giving words. I have heard people talk about vibrations and energy. It probably doesn't matter how you contextualize the concept - the truth remains that our existence impacts others. Our actions, words, and even thoughts carry out and resonate with others long after we've forgotten what we did or said.
Lately, when I pray I see images or have thoughts of ripples. This isn't some grand revelation, but just a reminder that my thoughts, words, and actions impact far beyond what I can see. I think of my words or actions as a rock, the pond is my community, and the water's surface as a point in time. Long after the rock passes through the water's surface, the ripples are still traveling outward, still impacting others in the pond. I'm not special in this way. I believe we are all impacting each other.
The question for me is what kind of ripples do I want to make? Do I want to encourage others to see hope? Do I want to inspire others to take risks and live purposefully? Do I want to say or do things to reinforce a person's insecurities or do I want to help build self-esteem and self-confidence?
I don't for one second believe that my life is somehow more meaningful than anyone else's. I think these ripples, the impact we make on those around us, are something everyone makes happen every day. The question is are we mindful of this power? Are we considering our impact before we take action? Are we considering our impact before we speak? Are we considering the impact of our thoughts, especially those left unguided?
I can still recall words told to me in anger when I was a child. I remember which teacher voiced disbelief in me, even as I was accepted into the US Air Force Academy. I remember the feelings of insecurity I used to have long after I was cheated on. I carried around negative feelings for such a long time, decades after their rocks sank to the bottom of the pond. They probably don't even remember throwing the rocks. Their intentions probably weren't even malicious - just thoughtless or motivated by their own insecurities.
I never want to inadvertently cause those kinds of feelings in anyone else (not again at least). I want my ripples to be the kind that affirm what is best in someone, in people as a whole. I want to pass through a moment in time and leave ripple of joy that will resonate farther than I'll ever travel.
Matthew 5:15
No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Luke 11:36
So if your whole body is full of light and no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.
Lately, when I pray I see images or have thoughts of ripples. This isn't some grand revelation, but just a reminder that my thoughts, words, and actions impact far beyond what I can see. I think of my words or actions as a rock, the pond is my community, and the water's surface as a point in time. Long after the rock passes through the water's surface, the ripples are still traveling outward, still impacting others in the pond. I'm not special in this way. I believe we are all impacting each other.
The question for me is what kind of ripples do I want to make? Do I want to encourage others to see hope? Do I want to inspire others to take risks and live purposefully? Do I want to say or do things to reinforce a person's insecurities or do I want to help build self-esteem and self-confidence?
I don't for one second believe that my life is somehow more meaningful than anyone else's. I think these ripples, the impact we make on those around us, are something everyone makes happen every day. The question is are we mindful of this power? Are we considering our impact before we take action? Are we considering our impact before we speak? Are we considering the impact of our thoughts, especially those left unguided?
I can still recall words told to me in anger when I was a child. I remember which teacher voiced disbelief in me, even as I was accepted into the US Air Force Academy. I remember the feelings of insecurity I used to have long after I was cheated on. I carried around negative feelings for such a long time, decades after their rocks sank to the bottom of the pond. They probably don't even remember throwing the rocks. Their intentions probably weren't even malicious - just thoughtless or motivated by their own insecurities.
I never want to inadvertently cause those kinds of feelings in anyone else (not again at least). I want my ripples to be the kind that affirm what is best in someone, in people as a whole. I want to pass through a moment in time and leave ripple of joy that will resonate farther than I'll ever travel.
Matthew 5:15
No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Luke 11:36
So if your whole body is full of light and no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.
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