We are all familiar with the ripple effect of a pebble in a pond. As I write, and you read (I imagine), an image appears. The center of a pristine, elegant, natural pool hatches delicate ripples, ignited by the toss of a perfectly round-shaped rock. The ripples are welcome movements to what could be stifling stillness.
In our firm, for many years, I have invited members to be aware of their ripples, using a metaphor of links on a chain. Be aware of the links that come before you and the links that come after you. Understanding there is activity and work before me, and there is activity and work after me, allows me to recognize the importance of me being a strong link on a longer chain. When I know what comes before me, I make wiser decisions with the energy I give to a project. I know value came before me, that there is an intention behind contributions, and I have something to offer. At the same time, I recognize I am one in many, and what comes after me is counting on me to perform with proficiency and integrity. I am responsible for the next links on the chain. There are ripples from my actions.
Presently, we, as a collective, are becoming directly aware of our ripples through the pandemic of Covid-19. How I conduct myself matters. My behavior and choices have a ripple effect immediately, and sometimes eons later. Today, my conduct, my ripples, can have a life or death outcome. Your conduct matters too. Your behavior has ripples. Everyone has ripples. No longer can we ignore our ripples. When we ignore our ripples, or bury our head in the sand, or harden our hearts with armor, or deny reality, or wallow in self-pity, we cause harm. Ripples from the harm of Covid-19 are a result of myriad ripples. Let me name a few…
Denying climate change
Armoring our hearts to inequalities
Ignoring the call to stay home
Blaming others (who do you blame?)
Most of us, if not all, are guilty of harmful ripples. I know I am. It’s devastating to recognize actions that have caused harm, even in innocence. Innocence is not an excuse. Waking up and staying awake are our collective responsibility. Those of us who claim to be awake, are called to serve. So, I am also asking better questions to raise my ripple intelligence. We can all improve our ripple intelligence.
What are my ripples?
Using communities such as work, education, family and worship as a natural structure, we can begin to explore… what are my ripples.
Do my ripples calm, still and soften the situation?
Do my ripples agitate, stir, and harden the situation?
What will serve the situation? Bigger ripples or smaller ripples?
And who is being served?
Before I attempt to share an example from my current experience, I confess my bias is for calmer, stiller, softer ripples. Even this month’s One-Minute Water Sit montage is arranged in order of power ripples, to gentle stillness. Yet, I recognize that sometimes a situation calls for and benefits from power, strength and action.
Currently I am serving as a co-executor for my mother’s estate, an appointment engaged just a month after serving as co-executor for my father’s estate. The ripples I perceive, large and small, arise from my siblings as I perform in my role and as a member of the family. I am painfully seeing, day to day, the lack of ripple awareness. No details will be offered in an attempt at privacy. But my experience offers a clear example of the direct somatic impact of unconscious actions to our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual lives. Ripples are happening everywhere and, again, we need to wake up.
Here is a common, simple, perhaps silly, ripple. What happens when I use the last bit of half & half for my coffee (or worse, return an empty carton to the refrigerator)? The ripple might look like this…
- The next cup of coffee made might irritate the drinker from an empty cream carton.
- Irritation drinking a black cup of coffee might lead to frustration and anger.
- Anger might intensify on the drive to the office.
- Built-up anger might slime co-workers or customers during the day.
In the present state of our world, let’s keep this simple. Start ripple awareness in two ways:
First, ask: are my actions generating kindness? If so, carry on. If not, stop. Just stop until kindness imbues your actions.
Second, when a ripple comes your way, receive the ripple with neutrality and an open heart. If the ripple stirs a trigger, Stop. Let the ripple move to completion. Imbue your next actions with kindness.
Be Moved To Practice
Our One-Minute Water Sit this month is a three-part practice (a Three-Minute Water Sit), courtesy of the stream in my backyard. I wanted a water visual to take us on a ripple journey. The first video is the source of a ripple – the dam opens and rushing water explodes with force. The second video is farther down the stream where the ripples have softened and expanded direction. The final video is even farther downstream where the ripples are barely visible on calm waters and stillness brings ease to the space.
Minute One: The Dam Ignites
Watch rushing water with curiosity imagining all of the ripples running.
Where does this ripple intensity mirror your life?
Notice if you are swept away in thought and more ripples, or whether you “ride the ripples.”
Minute Two: The Ripples Soften
Watch the moving water with curiosity, recognizing the shift in ripples.
What stirs in you with this shift?
Notice if you feel more settled or stirred.
Minute Three: The Ripples Calm
Watch the moving water with curiosity, allowing ease to expand.
How does ripple awareness support life?
Notice if inspiration arises for right-action ripples.