Let’s Talk about the Ripple Effect – The Power of One Series – Part #3

Let’s Talk about the Ripple Effect – The Power of One Series – Part #3

Have you ever thrown a pebble into a pond and watched the ripples?

One small drop in the water’s pristine surface causes waves that get larger and reach farther as they move across the water.

This ripple effect is like your impact.

You may not think you make a difference or affect people, but what you do ripples out from your actions. Your actions will touch the lives of a few people, who have their impact on the lives of others, and the process will continue.

In each area of our lives, we have opportunities to make an impact of others. Our impact will be like those ripples which continue for a long time. Many times, it might be the “little things” that have the biggest ripples effect in the lives of others.

It is important to remember that the ripples can continue beyond our first actions. Each ripple may continue to go on without ever knowing the results of one simple act.

Below are four areas to think about when considering how your impact can create the ripple effect.

Family

What are the ways the ripple effect can influence your family?

How can you create ripples with your family?

Doing small activities with your family members strengthens the bond and creates habits that influence each member of your family. For instance, taking your child on a parent-child date can affect future generations as your child grows. They might pass on that tradition because they found value in building that relationship.

Sometimes it can be as simple as turning off technology and playing a board game. Creating conversation with your family members is more valuable than achieving a high score or a game. Maybe it is as simple as finding a project to work on together. Taking time, whether quality time or quantity time, is a must have in today’s world. Building those family relationships is vital to future generations.

Business

What are the ways you are creating the ripple effect in your business?

Whether you are a small business owner or an employee, there is a ripple effect.

How can you create ripples in your business?

First, you can create opportunities to give compliments to your staff or co-workers. A good rule to remember is to compliment more than you criticize. One simple action you can take today could be to leave anonymous notes on their desk highlighting something positive that you have noticed about their performance.

When you lift someone’s spirits and make them feel valuable, you can affect their attitude at work. This encouragement at work can have the ripple effect on how they feel when they arrive home after a full day.

Community

How is your ripple effect influencing your community?

You may not think about the community aspect of the ripple effect, but it is a valuable influence on the world.

You might be a mentor to someone in your community or in a local school. Being a mentor is a way to cause a ripple effect. Pouring your energy into a child or a young family who could use your guidance can change not only their lives but the lives of their children as well. You can be the reason they find solutions to their puzzles that otherwise would not have happened without your support.

Church

How is the ripple effect you possess working for your church family?

You might not think of the power of a ripple effect in your church family, but it makes a big difference. When you are even attending services, people notice. When your pew is empty, people notice.

Maybe you are a Bible class teacher. If so, the ripple effect is a powerful influence because you are teaching young people who will teach others down the road. Your time with children each week will have an everlasting impact.

While you might read about these four areas of influence, you might feel the world is too big and too broad to make a difference, but that is not the case. Consider this for a moment – just a little invested money grows exponentially with compound interest, your small investment in someone else’s life will yield significant returns.

What small gestures can you make to cause a ripple in the lives of others?

A tip and a note of appreciation for the waiter or waitress at a restaurant?

A note of appreciation to your child’s teacher?

Baked goods for your neighbor?

Do something small and watch the ripples grow wider and wider.

Allow me to offer you 51 ways you can create ripples through simple actions.

  1. Do it! (Decide to create a ripple and do it. Start today.
  2. Stop complaining.
  3. Serve someone less fortunate.
  4. Collect quotes and use them for motivation.
  5. Volunteer.
  6. Mentor a child or a young family.
  7. Do something without looking for personal glory.
  8. Turn off the news.
  9. Get rid of the stuff in your home (6-month
  10. Make cookies for a neighbor.
  11. Organize a neighborhood cookout.
  12. Send one encouraging card a day.
  13. Write a note and do not sign it.
  14. Cut a neighbor’s yard.
  15. Rake someone else’s leaves.
  16. Offer to babysit for a young couple.
  17. Stop checking email.
  18. Attend church services.
  19. Assist someone by carrying groceries to their car.
  20. Put the buggy back at a supermarket.
  21. Buy your wife flowers or your husband a box of chocolate.
  22. Take your children to breakfast before school.
  23. Send your parents a thank you note for raising you.
  24. Buy someone’s dessert in a restaurant.
  25. Leave a large tip.
  26. Paint a picture and hang it in the living room.
  27. Grow a garden and share your vegetables with others.
  28. Plant flowers.
  29. Bake a cake with your children and deliver it to the elderly.
  30. Take a walk and think.
  31. Let someone in your lane in traffic.
  32. Turn off the radio while driving and listen to the wind.
  33. Read a book about something you disagree with.
  34. Print photos you have taken and make a photo collage.
  35. Write “your
  36. Learn a new hobby.
  37. Fast for a day.
  38. Clean your closet out and donate your clothes to the homeless.
  39. Plant a tree.
  40. Giveaway some extra jewelry you have to a single mother.
  41. Call your parents and tell them “Thank You.”
  42. Volunteer to speak at school regarding your profession or hobby.
  43. Donate your used cell phone to a woman’s shelter or a soldier overseas.
  44. Pay for a couple to attend a marriage retreat. (Do so anonymously.
  45. Take off work early and spend time with your family.
  46. Write a letter to a missionary and tell them you are praying for them.
  47. Smile.
  48. Donate school supplies to children in need.
  49. Send a widow some flowers.
  50. Read one book a month.
  51. Begin journaling.
  52. Turn off your computer for a day and get out of the chair.

Will you start today?

What simple action will begin creating ripples?

To your success,

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Let’s Talk about the Ripple Effect – The Power of One Series – Part #3

Why You Matter – The Power of One Series – Part #1

Before we begin, remember, “Everyone makes an impact.”

You make an impact. Remember that.

Whether or not you know it, you make an impact. Whether or not you are acting intentionally, you make an impact.

While it may be hard to believe, but you are affecting someone. Your actions, my actions, and the actions of others are influencing the world.

What you do matters in more ways than you may realize, and it matters to more people than you realize. Your efforts may create chaos or lead to grand achievements. What will matter to the results is whether or not you are being intentional with your actions.

Have you ever heard of the Butterfly Effect?

The Butterfly effect states that a small first action can cause a reaction of epic proportions. The example is that the simple movement of a butterfly’s wings over time can cause a wave that results in a hurricane. The Butterfly effect is an illustration of how important even the smallest of actions are in the grand scheme of the world.

As someone who lives every day, it is important for you to remember that you have an effect everywhere you go. You matter. You are important. Have you ever considered this?

Did you know that you have a sphere of influence?

Your sphere of influence is the people and places where you make the most impact. This sphere of influence would include your family, your close friends, your co-workers, your church family and anyone close to you. This sphere of influence is where your presence is felt the most.

With the concept of the Butterfly Effect and your Sphere of Influence, how are you making an impact?

 Consider this:

  • How you parent your children makes an impact.
  • How you manage your marriage makes an impact.
  • How you engage as a son, daughter, sister, or brother makes an impact.
  • What you contribute to your career makes an impact.
  • What you create makes an impact.
  • Your wisdom makes an impact.
  • How you vote makes an impact.
  • How you spend your time and money makes an impact.
  • How you pour yourself into others makes an impact.

If we sat down to make a list, would could keep going to hours, but I believe you are seeing the impact you have upon others.

Remember, in all that you do, you matter.

How you do things matters.

These things are tied together. While this might seem like an overwhelming responsibility, it isn’t too big when you break it down into manageable parts, in all the different areas of your life.

The most important thing right now is to realize is that you have influence and impact wherever you go. If you are intentional in your actions, you can leave your mark on this world in a favorable and meaningful way.

So, how are you being intentional today?

Remember, you matter.

Just some thoughts,

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Give Satan a Nail and It Will Not Be Pretty

Give Satan a Nail and It Will Not Be Pretty

While visiting in Haiti, Dale A. Hayes heard a Haitian minister illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ.

The minister told of a man who wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man badly wanted the house but couldn’t afford the full price.

After much haggling, the owner agreed to sell the house for half the asking price with just one stipulation: he would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from just over the door.

After several years, the original owner wanted the house back, but the new owner was unwilling to sell. So, the first owner went out, found the carcass of a dead dog, and hung it from the single nail he still owned.

Soon the house became uninhabitable, and the family was forced to sell the house to the owner of the nail.

The Haitian minister’s conclusion: “If we leave the devil with even one small peg in our life, he will return to hang his rotting garbage on it, making it unfit for Christ’s habitation.”[1]

Question – How much have you given the devil?

Paul tells the Ephesians 4.27 to “give no opportunity to the devil.”

Have you given a place, no matter how small to the devil?

Even one small nail can make a difference.

Just a thought,

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#MondayMotivation and 5 Things I Learned from Last Week

#MondayMotivation and 5 Things I Learned from Last Week

It is a chilly, rainy Monday around this area. Today looks to be a good day to settle down in some research or one of the many books on the “to read” list. Days like this are so relaxing. I never consider them gloomy, but a time to relax and review what is important.

Below are a few short thoughts help you keep moving on this Monday morning.

Journaling Idea: Write about your most productive day and learn what steps you took to make it the most productive day.

Five Things I Learned Last Week

1 – Relax – Some days it is good to relax and do nothing. It is good to take a break and spend some time in relaxation and refreshment. For you, this might mean stepping away from the computer, email or Facebook. It might mean turning on some relaxing music and just drinking a cup of coffee. Here is an article from the Mayo Clinic on relaxation techniques and the benefits. Read more here. By the way, have you ever noticed how much Jesus withdrew Himself to be alone?

2 – A simple card does wonders – For the past several years, our Sunday morning adult Bible class has been sending cards to people. Some of the recipients are members of our congregation and some are not. Some are local friends and some are distant. Some are people that most know, others are people have one or two know. Each week, I pass a card at the beginning of Bible class and it is passed along for everyone to sign. Doing this not only helps the receiver, but many in our congregation find encouragement in being able to encourage others. Who are you encouraging?

3 – Audiobooks are worth the price – Some of you might be ones who like a good hardcover book in your hands and others might like reading on a Kindle or other device, but there is something to be said regarding audiobooks. I have listened to several audiobooks over the years and recently I have discovered the audio narration option on a few of the Kindle books in my digital library.  With audiobooks, you can listen in your car, while you exercise, in your office and just about anywhere.

4 – More clothes than I need – Do you have a closest for of clothes? So do I. I probably have more clothes now that I have had in a long time. In fact, I probably have more stuff now than I have had in a long time.  Have you ever seen the “My 100 Thing Challenge”? It is an interesting read. I am not agreeing with everything, but there is a benefit in living simpler. Soon, I will be doing away with at least 50% of my clothes. Simpler should be better.

5 – Doing the same thing, gets the same results – I forget the old quote but the definition of insanity is said to be doing the same things over and over and expecting the same results.  As people, we like the comfortable an stable. We like doing the same things because they are comfortable. However, the same actions get the same results. If we want to grow, we need to step up our actions and thoughts and change the input to change the output.  Do not change for the sake of change, but change because it is necessary. (Personal Note: Some things do not need to changes, just our actions toward them. We might need to examine our hearts and mind, along with our motivation and purpose.)


#MondayMotivation

There are people who need a little more motivation on a Monday. Here is a video from Michael Jr. I bet you have never thought of what it was like to be the younger brother of Jesus, but Michael Jr. did. Enjoy.

Just some thoughts,