In a world of six billion people,
it's easy to believe that the only way to initiate profound
transformation is to take extreme action. Each of us, however, carries
within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or
worse. Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives, and
their reactions in turn affect others. As the effect of a seemingly
insignificant word passes from person to person, its impact grows and
can become a source of great joy, inspiration, anxiety, or pain. Your
thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing
ripples to spread and expand as they move outward. The impact you have
on the world is greater than you could ever imagine, and the choices you
make can have far-reaching consequences. You can use the ripple effect
to make a positive difference and spread waves of kindness that will
wash over the world.
Should the opportunity arise, the recipient of a good deed will likely
feel compelled to do a good deed for someone else. Someone feeling the
effects of negative energy will be more likely to pass on that negative
energy. One act of charity, one thoughtful deed, or even one positive
thought can pass from individual to individual, snowballing until it
becomes a group movement or the ray of hope that saves someone's life.
Every transformation, just like every ripple, has a point of origin. You
must believe in your ability to be that point of origin if you want to
use the ripples you create to spread goodness. Consider the effect of
your thoughts and actions, and try to act graciously as much as
possible.
A smile directed at a stranger, a compliment given to a friend, an
attitude of laughter, or a thoughtful gesture can send ripples that
spread among your loved ones and associates, out into your community,
and finally throughout the world. You have the power to touch the lives
of everyone you come into contact with and everyone those people come
into contact with. The momentum of your influence will grow as your
ripples moves onward and outward. One of those ripples could become a
tidal wave of positivity. (Daily OM]