The Ripple Effect

Why does it feel that spreading hate is so much easier than spreading joy? Why do we gossip about the bad things and not praise or lift up the good?

Doesn't it seem that our country has become more and more hateful toward each other with every passing year? Do you think it's impossible to change that? Do you think that one person can change the downward spiral we seem to be in?

I think you matter and make a difference in the world. I see the ripple effect of kindness and how we naturally feel lighter, happier in life when we encounter a positive person. When we experience kindness from others, we naturally and intuitively pass it along to another person without much thought. The opposite is true as well. When we have a negative experience with a person, we tend to feel grumpy and we have little to no desire to do something good for someone else.

Bad things happen to everyone, it's inevitable but, let's imagine if we can power through the negatives in life as much as we can, no matter how difficult it is, and still spread positive vibes to others! One positive moment in someone else's life is maybe all they need for the day.

Go to work, knowing you have to work with Ms. Grump all day and instead of spreading your hateful feeling towards her, force smiles, force kindness, force yourself to not be affected by her negative aura. You can stop the negativity within yourself and your surroundings. Personally, I work with a few people I don't like and most people are unaware of my true feelings about those people. I do my best to stay positive and not allow their cloud to cover my good feelings. It doesn't mean they don't make me upset, I just don't let them penetrate my well-being.

Or, when something goes awry at a store, instead of yelling at the cashier who is only doing his job, be patient with him. More than likely, he's making minimum wage and has little control of the situation and isn't capable or allowed to do what is demanded by the patron. I often see and hear shoppers argue with cashiers and it makes me feel sympathetic for the cashier. I make sure to flash a smile, make eye contact, thank them and try to make them feel valued instead.

If we can start at home, providing kindness to family, friends, strangers, co-workers instead of grumps and complaints, it can ripple into their interactions with their friends, teachers, co-workers. Maybe too, we can understand each other better if we step back and listen.