MAJOR'S MESSAGE

SENDING THE RIGHT RIPPLES

The other day I was sitting by a pond watching a small child and his mother pitch stones into the water. The little boy stared transfixed by the water as it rippled in rings of larger circles and spread out in circumference around the pond. He tossed in more stones. The harder he threw, the deeper the ripple and the wider the circles. Sometimes they skimmed the surface, other times they cut deep into the water.

Our words and actions create similar ripples. Sometimes the words we use are friendly and informative, skimming the surface playfully. Other times, angry and accusatory, with foul language, cutting deep enough to cause hard feelings. Ripples can be helpful, but they can also come with consequences.

The next time you have to say something, choose your words with care and kindness. The next time you have to take an action, think of the chain of people who may be affected by that action.

Remember, it's not just the mailman, the waitress, the cop on the beat or the housewife down the street who are affected by what you have to say. All the people in THEIR universes are feeling the aftermath of your exchange.

The universe is not just about YOU, but about ALL; and with an election so close at hand, it would be a good time for people to become more aware of that. Do your part daily. Send the right ripples!