What Impact Are You Making With The Ripples Of Your Life?

Whether we realize it or not, whether we are intentional about it or not, and whether we are pleased with the effects or not…

The ripples of our lives ARE making an impact! On our family members. On our friends. On our neighbors. On our co-workers and bosses and clients and patients and customers. And our lives continue to have a ripple effect from all those people to the folks they touch with their lives. And on and on and on.

I take the time to point this out to you today, even though it may sound obvious, for two reasons:

• Sometimes we all need to be reminded to consider how our attitudes, actions, words, choices, habits, and energy of our day to day lives is impacting the people around us. Especially “our people.” The ones we love the most. Am I bringing life to my spouse and my children by practicing patience, kindness, encouragement, and grace in how I treat them on the daily? Does a phone call from me lift them up…Or bring them down? Do my texts bring a smile…Or a grimace? Does my touch and my energy bring love and life to my loved ones…Or tear down hearts and build up walls?

• While some folks have obvious large scale influence and impact from their lives, others may doubt their lives matter much at all. The inspiration for this post came a few days ago when I heard my wife tell one of her doctors that, because of some significant health issues and limitations she has (bravely learned to face), she “now leads a very small life.” No, she isn’t able to get out and do all the the things she once did. And she doesn’t get to spend as much time with as many people as she once did. But to know my wife is to love her. I’m sure those who don’t actually know my amazing bride instantly assume I’m just showing my bias because I love her so much I’ve shared my life with her for over a quarter of a century now. While that may be true, I know that anyone who knows my wife simply adores her. And that isn’t because she has ever been an “influencer” or had any sort of huge stage or power or the like. But she takes the time to care about people. She gives generously and prays fervently and never misses an opportunity to tell someone, “I love you!” Her life ripples are making a wonderful difference to the people in this world. Because she is intentional about that. Even if she sometimes feels her life is small. Her ripples are powerful and making the right kind of difference. How is the ripple effect of my life impacting the world around me? And what kind of ripples are you sending out?

And if you are feeling brave and really want to know about your ripple effect: Ask your people for some feedback. Listen humbly and respectfully. Celebrate where you are making a life-giving impact! And work on changes where your life is sending out good ripples. Let’s work on it together!