Ripples on the Water
The earth has travelled around the sun again. We are heading into the crazy, sun-filled, family and put-your-feet-up time of the year. Slowing down our work activities. Looking forward to smell the coffee, roses and nature. And unavoidably we start to reflect on the year that is morphing into history. Making time to reflect on the ripples you caused on the waters of life …
Did your actions only impact on your immediate family – one ripple? Did you impact on the lives of only the people in your neighbourhood – two ripples, your town – three ripples, your province or your country – a vortex?
We do not always act to cause any ripples, sometimes our aim was to fill time, to improve our skills, to spend time with friends, colleagues or our dear ones, often forgetting that we do not live in isolation. No Robinson Crusoe living solitary on an island.
We often do not even contemplate the causes of our actions on others, yet only in hindsight we realise it did. And just as often, we are not proud of these outcomes. It seems as if instead of causing ripples on the water, we caused a destructive tsunami. And we recall it, cannot make the consequences undone, cannot recall the ripples.
Worst of all, sometimes we do not see the waterbody at all, we lose track of where we are, who we are and we fail to remember our original endeavour. Or we are simply not prepared for the ripples that come our way.
For example, you only visit our Garden Route once or twice a year, often forgetting that life goes on during your absence. That change is part of our reality. How do you remain informed about of developments taking place in our paradise during the year, ripples on the water that may impact on your piece of paradise, only realising that it became a mirror image of the city hustle and bustle that you desperately want to escape every year or will be situated close to an industrial area by the time you retire? Did you establish communication networks to stay informed about these ripples that occur during your absence to retain your piece of paradise or established ways to add your voice to proposed changes or developments? Maybe asked a local friend or neighbour to keep you updated, subscribe to one of our local newspapers or stay connected to a social media group to remain informed.
Whatever roads you travelled this past year, however significant or small the ripples on the water you may have caused this past 365 days, use the information gained to direct your efforts in the next year. Ride the waves, stay connected and use all the opportunities, but always keep in mind that your actions are going to cause ripples on the water of life, or that new developments may cause ripples on your own.
My wish is that you will not only be proud of the ripples you caused and contributed to, but that you will experience joy through this process as well.
