You’ve all heard the analogy… even a tiny pebble thrown into the ocean creates ripples that eventually become waves. The point is that when you do a seemingly small thing for another person, it can have a much larger impact than you ever thought possible.
Now imagine the “water” is in a confined space. I noticed this when I was cleaning my small swimming pool this morning. I dipped the net into the still water surface. The ripples not only radiated into larger concentric circles, they actually bounced back to me after they hit the edge.
I’ve been getting a lot of bounce-back lately – people saying nice things about me, giving me recommendations, showing concern for my happiness. All these were a result of me offering unconditional help on seemingly small things in the past, sometimes from months ago. And like the bounce-back waves in the pool, they’re coming back to me from different and unexpected angles.
I’m no saint. I do my share of self-serving things. But I also try to put out as much positive as possible, tuning in to people who have problems to solve, and volunteering to help if I think I can. It’s rewarding in the moment, and apparently also brings surprising benefits back to me in the future.
So why not throw an unconditional pebble into the pool today? And don’t stand there and stare at it… just walk away. You may see a much larger wave come back to you when you least expect it.
*SPLASH!!* Just tossed a pebble in, David! 😉 Extremely timely.. you have no idea.
Just finished up working a Japan Disaster Relief fundraiser – another reminder of the ‘pebble’ …. sometimes you can do something and the ripple effect can take on a life of its own. It’s heart-warming to see if you give, it inspires other people to also. And the recipients are so touched and moved, they want to give back, a hug or smile or simple gratitude – and this keeps ‘paying it forward.’ It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Thank you for your timely reminder. Oh and BTW, there are always nice things being said about you, David. Your ears don’t necessarily have to burn in order to know that you’re being thought of and talked about. 😉 In fact I think about you everytime I log onto the Internet, because I’ll never forget YOU were the one who kept nudging me to get on it in the early 90s. How can I ever thank you! I might still be operating on that IBM Wheelwriter typewriter. hahaha Hope you and the family are well! Blessings!
Thanks Stacey! I’m sure SOMEONE else may have introduced you to the WWW eventually 🙂
Thank you for your efforts with disaster relief. When something so incredibly horrible happens, it’s nice to see incredible efforts to rebuild following so quickly afterwards. You rock!
HA!! You haven’t lost your touch for PUNNING! 😀 Rock?! In a pebble blog?! You certainly leave no stone unturned when it comes to that! hahahaha 😀 Now if one of your blog followers comes on after us and comments and they’re from Boulder, CO – I’m gonna lose it! hahahahaha 😀
Stacey to continue the word play, I live in a town called Broad Ripple.
Nora!! OMG! That’s just too much! You must be throwing some amazing pebbles!! Good work!! 😉
Ripples, swirls, concerted movements… when put forth in the consistently positive way you do, David, you’re bound to build up energy returns from all directions. Since the 80’s, I remember you leading, always with a great attitude, respect, and good will mixed within all that you did.
It seems to be the season for pebbles in water. My racqueball group is fundraising, instead of simply “fun”-raising, and our focus is Cystic Fibrosis. One of our players has a neice whose daughter is afflicted with the disease. Many are stepping out and giving, when we usually just have a barbecue. Still having the barbecue, and people are donating the food, but a good cause will benefit from our efforts when we usually charge per head – the money is all being donated.
The key, that you bring so eloquently into focus, is that if we live in the right frame of mind and spirit, we’re ready to assist when the need presents itself. If we are aware, we find more ways to help all the time. Not just the huge events, but the small ones that we encounter daily… the little ripples that can add a bit of improvement to the life of even one individual.
Thanks for being the Saint that you do not realize you are.
Roland.
Roland:
Thanks for the kind words! I am glad that I’ve stayed friends with other kindred spirits like you throughout my life.
Good luck with your fundraising. Every penny makes a difference.
I’m a big believer in random acts of kindness
I know you are Dan. And sometimes they are not random at all 🙂
I just want to say that admire what you do.
Thanks Lexi! How did you find my blog? Just curious…