"Takin' Time Out"

Definition: A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water caused by an object dropping into it or a slight breeze.  To move in small waves.

While “Takin Time Out” have you ever had the opportunity to sit by a stream of water, the ocean, a lake or pond and dropped a rock or even a pebble into the water and watched how the water makes a circle and begins to RIPPLE outward further and further?  Doesn’t that kind of amaze you?  Why is it a circle why not a square or straight line?  Next time you are near some water try that little exercise and see just how far the RIPPLES go.

 

My next question to you visualize yourself on a very HOT summer day and you are at the swimming pool, are you one of those individuals who balances yourself on one leg while pointing your toe and dipping it oh so lightly into the swimming pool skimming the top, testing the water to see how cold it is, then stepping down onto the first step with shoulders raised up going ewww it’s cold as you step down another step until you are waist deep or do you take a running dash tucking your knees up under you and doing an amazing cannon ball making a big splash into the pool?  If you are the cannon ball pro have you ever noticed the water RIPPLING out and splashing the sides then coming back in going back out splashing the sides and coming back in, if you are really big the water lapse over the sides going back in coming back out?  Are you visualizing that episode?  That too is a RIPPLING effect.

How many of you as a child or even as an adult played with a set of domino’s carefully placing one on end then another then another until you have a whole line maybe you added a little curve to yours then you tap ever so lightly the end piece and watch the RIPPLE effect until they have all fallen down.  Oh can’t you hear the squeals of a child, they are saying, “Do it again please do it again!”

Though not a game, life is full of dramatic wonder and can yield both a positive or negative response to the RIPPLE effect as well.  Now think about those individuals who have really made an impact in your life…perhaps it was a teacher, a parent, coach, a grandparent, aunt or uncle, maybe it was a boss or supervisor.  Maybe their impact did not take effect immediately but through time their words or actions made a lasting impression.  You strive to be more like them or perhaps they made a negative impact and you hold a grudge or are filled full of guilt or resentment.  As you get older you either pass the good or the bad onto someone else’s life.  Just think about it one life touches a life that touches a life that touches a life…it is a RIPPLE effect.

 

For those who have had a damaging RIPPLING effect in their life I am truly sorry.  I encourage you to seek professional counseling, get into support groups with people who have experienced similar trials and tribulations and I pray God will see you through the storm and you can be a positive light providing a RIPPLING effect to others.  I firmly believe you can’t have a testimony without a test or a message without a mess.   Trials can be turned into triumph.  Don’t be ashamed of your story it will inspire others…Your faith and God will see you through the storm and you will become stronger and better than ever.

 

The bible tells us in Galatians 6:7 “Whatever a man is sowing, this he shall reap.  If he sows with a view to fleshly things; he will reap corruption.  But if you sow with a view to the spirit, you will yield everlasting life from the spirit.”  I firmly believe we all have a purpose in life, God has given us unique talents or gifts and they are meant to be shared with others. Perhaps it is through words, our actions, a simple touch, giving financially or leading by example.  We may not always know when we are leaving the RIPPLE effect behind but oh how powerful it can be.  How many of you have read or been a part of some sort of a Random Act of Kindness?  Perhaps you are in line at a drive thru…you pull up to the window and ask to pay for the order of the person that is behind you?  As you drive off never to see the lasting impression you left on their face…think about the clerk checking you out…how fun is it for them to share the good news?  Didn’t it make you feel good inside?  I will never forget one time I was inside at Starbuck’s, which makes this exercise a little harder because you don’t know what the next guy is going to order.  I had a Starbuck’s card with about $10.00 remaining and I told the clerk to use it and surprise someone who placed an order that day, I didn’t care when but I wanted it to be random.  I waited patiently to get my savoring cup of China Tip Green tea and walked out to my car, I was checking my phone for emails, when this guy knocked on my window and slipped me a $50.00 coupon to Johnny Carino’s restaurant he was the district manager and said he wanted to return a Random Act of Kindness he just received while inside, I truly believe he figured it out but wow I was on the receiving end this time.  We had scheduled a Girl’s Night out that very week at Johnny Carino’s so I was able to apply to the bill and lessen the final tab for all my friends, how cool was that?  It truly is Amazing to me how this works.

 

I love that country western song sung by Clay Walker “The Chain of Love”, if you haven’t heard it check it out but listed below are the lyrics…

 

He was driving home one evening,
In his beat up Pontiac
When an old lady flagged him down,
Her Mercedes had a flat
He could see that she was frightened,
Standing out there in the snow
‘Til he said I’m here to help you ma’am,
By the way my name is Joe

She said I’m from St. Louis,
And I’m only passing through
I must have seen a hundred cars go by,
This is awful nice of you
When he changed the tire,
And closed her trunk
And was about to drive away,
She said how much do I owe you
Here’s what he had to say

You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too
Someone once helped me out,
Just the way I’m helping you
If you really want to pay me back,
Here’s what you do
Don’t let the chain of love end with you

Well a few miles down the road,
The lady saw a small cafe
She went in to grab a bite to eat,
And then be on her way
But she couldn’t help but notice,
How the waitress smiled so sweet
And how she must’ve been eight months along,
And dead on her feet

And though she didn’t know her story,
And she probably never will
When the waitress went to get her change,
From a hundred dollar bill
The lady slipped right out the door,
And on a napkin left a note
There were tears in the waitress’s eyes,
When she read what she wrote

You don’t owe me a thing,
I’ve been there too
Someone once helped me out,
Just the way I’m helping you
If you really want to pay me back,
Here’s what you do
Don’t let the chain of love end with you

That night when she got home from work,
The waitress climbed into bed
She was thinkin’ about the money,
And what the lady’s note had said
As her husband lay there sleeping,
She whispered soft and low
Everything’s gonna be alright, I love you, Joe

 

Isn’t that a cool song?  Well it is time to wrap it up for this week’s blog…hope you enjoyed it and as you are “Takin Time Out” think about the RIPPLES you are making in your life…are they positive or negative…how can you touch someone and truly make a difference…what Random Act of Kindness can you show… be that little pebble and watch the RIPPLES grow, touching a life that is touching a life that is touching a life for good…take a deep breathe, count your blessings and enjoy the journey my friend until next time.

 

 

Ripple Ripple Ripple