Each time a person stands for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he or she sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. And crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. Few are willing to embrace the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.
Robert F Kennedy
I really believe that we have a great impact on live but we often under estimate that. We often look at higher powers and wait for them to make changes in the lives of people. I often feel powerless when I realise that there are so many families and children in need . To change society how much would it help that enough money would be invested in children and at risk families. This would be much cheaper for the government than wait till these kids get off track and pay for their daily life in prison. But as mother Theresa said "do not wait for leaders, do it alone person to person."
How do I know that I can affect the lives around me? Because somebody affected mine as you can read in this letter. When I work with the children in the children's home I hope that I get the change to affect one of these lives as much as mine got affected. When only one live gets changed this will affect whole future generations. They will pass it on too their children, families and relations.
We have however already an effect on people by focusing on the strength and beauty in the people around us. Telling them can help these people to see that as well and when they can identify with it they will affect many others with it. If we are all able to pass on a smile, encouragement etc. these ripples can become waves and we all become stronger. I actually found a beautiful video about this principal on the Internet. If we all would be aware than we can change the world radically. So have a look at this video and be aware today of the people around you and give them a bit of your love.
Your poem "The Letter" touched my heart like the pebble caused a ripple in the video.
ReplyDeleteI really want to believe these beautiful thoughts as mentioned in the video, and I do wish that it's true that the World will change that way.
But I also asked myself a few questions. How much time is needed to reach all peoples heart with these beautiful thoughts? And what effect has the ripple when it reaches people who carry so much hate and anger in their heart?
And what happens when they throw their pebbles of hate and anger in the same pond? What happens when these ripples engage the ripples from the video?
The real world is so different and it's a fact I also keep dreaming of a better World and want to believe in the same goodness as you do.
Have a nice weekend Marja.
I really liked your idea..of spreading the joy, the smile to people around you
ReplyDeleteyou always affect the lives of others around you. wittingly or unwittingly. if you live your life in a positive way than you can onley affect the lives of others in a positive way and you will get the thankfulness and the respect that you deserve. help other people and other people will help you ! if you can make somebody happy than you will be happy yourself and that is already a gift.
ReplyDeletethe biggest problem is always to trust someone you don't know so be carefull what person you want to help. take it easy and always watch your back.
Do you remember the firewords lady in NZ whose son was injured in a fireworks display. Single handedly she set out to change the legislation, tightening up the sale and use of fireworks. She suceeded. Martin Luther King said something like, "Freedom is worth fighting for, going to jail for, and even dying for." Both he and Mahatma Gandhi went to jail and were killed for believing and having the morale courage to change the world.
ReplyDeleteThe ripple effect, the domino effect can be started by one pebble in a pond. Thanks for your posting which brought back so many memories and alighted a small ripple within me.
Bob
Thanks Herman, but don't look at the world The prinipal is to change your world one step at the time. Of course their are negative ripples Too many That's why we have to change them to positive ones. We can't break the negative current with one positive ripple and have to try to sent out many. I will give you a story next time to show some more thoughts about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks rambler now put the idea into practise
ReplyDeleteDear Bert You are somebody I know who has created waves and is sometimes washed over by negative ones, who were stronger. But I am sure that one day the person who turned your sending of positive waves will feel the impact. A bit late for you though. Bless you and keep up the good work dear broo
I didn't know about the fireworks lady but I know many examples like it.
Martin Luther King and Gandhi not only changed the world they also keep on being an inspiration for many and keep on sending ripples in that way.
Hi Marja
ReplyDeleteI love the ripple effect for the positivity and happiness it can bring. Sometimes, however, I wish people would think about the dispair they can cause when they don't stop to think before they say, act or do.
I'm happy that you like my post. As you know I am pretty new to this so really appreciated feedback from other (a great way to learn and improve)
Take care
Shaz
Very well done Marja.
ReplyDeleteYou know me well enough to know I always have love to share.
Happy Mothers Day........
Not saying ya MY mum.......cos ya way to young.......
Your poem "The Letter" touched my heart too.Really nice!
ReplyDeleteI wish you a nice Mothers Day and a nice weekend,Marja!
Happy Mother's Day Marja
ReplyDeleteI always find it better to do things one on one for folks than to contribute to any national charity. The one on one makes it real, makes folks see that another human being has recognized them as human theirselves.
ReplyDeleteNice piece.
This was very beautiful Marja and I was so relaxed by that piece of music I almost fell asleep.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't difficult to do something nice for someone and cause a positive ripple effect but so many people in this world are too busy thinking from a selfish viewpoint, never realising or perhaps not caring that their actions can often have devastating consequences for other people.
I'd like to think these people are a minority and that there are far more positive ripples in our big pond to drown out the negatives.
I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.
It is a wonderful posting and I know I have read the poem about the letter before.
ReplyDeleteThe video is great and I hope you had a wonderful mothers Day.