Ripple Effects

We hear so much bad news. The media explodes with it every day, every hour. Sometimes it feels like there’s no hope at all. Many of my friends lament about the state of the world today, how awful it is, how everything is falling apart.

I do not believe the world is getting worse. A brief review of history is enough to convince me of this.

So let me propose a more realistic view. For every tragedy, for every horrific event, there is at least one (and probably many, many more) heroic act. A few examples: A restaurant owner recently gave away 300 cans of baby formula - free. A woman found a wallet with $4000 and returned it to the owner. A former Marine drove 1,000 miles to Ukraine with supplies, toys, and blankets for refugees. A stranger ran into a burning house to save a woman and her child.

Each of these has a ripple effect. Ripples of Goodness. Ripples of Light. Ripples of Hope.

And it’s not just the big heroic acts (which we hear too little of) that make a difference. Think about the everyday acts of kindness. A parent hugging their child. A student helping a teacher pick up dropped papers. A stranger holding the door. A smile. All of these things have ripple effects, each and every one of them.

Do not discount these seemingly small and insignificant events. They are not small or insignificant. Each one spreads more Light, more Love, more Hope to the world.

I believe that each of us has the power to make the world better. No matter how small the act, each one increases the Light exponentially. Even the smallest gesture is enough.

It is enough.