What Can You Learn From A Pebble And Some Water?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
As a kid I loved spending time at the lake. I would stand on the end of our dock and throw a stick into the water or pebble and watch the rings of water reach out for the shoreline. Of course, at that age I did not know the meaning behind the ripples…. I just liked to see how many ripples or rings of water would break out from the stick hitting the water.
Fast forward… I get it! I now understand the ripple effects in my own life. Every decision and choice we make has a ripple effect on us and on others. Ripple effects can be lessons learned, mistakes not to repeat, new adventures to pursue, relationships to build, helping others and dreams to achieve. I believe everything happens for a reason… the good times and the hard times.
What is the Ripple Effect?
Ripple Effect goes by different names: the compound effect, the butterfly effect, or the domino effect. To simplify, it is where you make one little movement or a change, and it starts to move out like the ripples of water. Those ripples start impacting everything it touches.
Do you believe you can start a ripple effect? Of course you can. Start with your mindset … “what impact would you like the ripple effect to have on you and on others?”
Tony Robbins, "When we grow, we start to change everything around us in a ripple effect!"
SMALL BEGINNINGS—HUGE IMPACT
Years ago, I went on several overseas mission trips. We would partner with missionaries to help them build a school or a church. I, along with others, created a ripple effect that is still impacting people today. Partnering with those missionaries who sacrificed so much to help those in need was life changing for me and had a ripple effect on me.
One missionary who made an impact on me was Mark Buntain. I heard him speak several times at my church. He and his wife were missionaries in Calcutta, India. When he arrived there, he shared how the smell was horrible, the poverty was great, and sickness was all around them. He fell in love with the people of Calcutta. Every time he came to the United States, he would always say he couldn’t wait to get back to his people in Calcutta. Mark and his wife served in Calcutta together for decades where they established schools and colleges, clinics, a hospital, vocational training and so much more. His wife continues their mission today! His one-year mission assignment turned into a life-long mission. He created a ripple effect that continues to this day around the world.
“Get around people who have something of value to share with you. Their impact will continue to have significant effect on your life long after they have departed.” John Rohn
HOW TO MANIFEST A RIPPLE EFFECT IN YOUR LIFE
Create A Clear Mindset – What is your mindset about you and what you want to accomplish? Who do you want to become? Who do you want to impact? Your mindset is your set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and of yourself. Your beliefs influence how you think, feel, and behave in any given situation. Your mindset is creating a ripple effect.
Forgiveness – Extending forgiveness towards yourself and to others is a very powerful ripple effect. Forgiving doesn’t make a wrong right nor is it forgetting or excusing the harm done to you. It is not making up with the person who caused the harm. Forgiveness creates a ripple effect of peace to help you go on with your life.
Don’t Give Up – Keep creating motion, keep stirring up your gifts and talents inside of you, keep moving forward even when you don’t know the next step. Ride the waves of your ripple effect.
Dream Big and Double It – The process to accomplishing your dreams will not fall into 3 simple steps. You will go forward 3 steps and back 2, and so on. Dreams evolve and so do you. What a beautiful ripple effect it will have if you keep adding to your dream!
Find Time To Rest – Yes, you can create a rippling effect by finding time for rest. Rest allows you to receiving healing, receive a fresh perspective, be revived and rejuvenated. The ripple effects are the benefits you receive while resting, which will benefit others.
Your Words Are Powerful – Do you still hear the voice of someone who deeply impacted you from your past? A teacher, parent, mentor or colleague. It was their words of advice, encouragement or instruction spoken to you and started a ripple effect that you still experience today right when you need it. What ripple effects are your words creating?
Do You Feel Stuck or Frustrated? – Start a ripple effect. How? When you feel this way, it may be time for you to take that next step or make that decision you have been putting off in your life. Dreaming is great, but eventually you have to step out of the boat and move in the direction of your dream. Start creating a ripple effect that will move you forward.
Create A Spark – Create a ripple effect in others by supporting their goals and purpose in life. Encourage someone to not give up. Help someone in need. Remind someone how much they are needed … how much of an impact they are making around them. Inspire others and create a ripple effect.
Make Connections – When you are going about your day to be kind or thoughtful, you create a ripple effect. It could be saying “thank you” to the person holding the door open for you. Smiling at the stranger you pass on the street. Helping someone load groceries into the car. If you feel the nudge to reach out to a friend, do it NOW. Do you feel the nudge to send an encouraging note to someone, do it NOW. What you do for one person will turn into an act of kindness that they will pass on. Ripple effect.
The ripple effect doesn’t care about your title, how much money you make, how popular you are, how powerful or successful you are…it doesn’t know the difference. The ripple effect begins when one person steps out of the boat (or their comfort zone) and starts making an impact TODAY.
We all have the ability to change and improve the world around us. It starts with how you see yourself. Where do you want to make an impact? Start with you and then move out from there… just like the ripples of water. You are making a difference in this world my courageous friend and you are creating a RIPPLE EFFECT!
