THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Half a Hundred Ripples

For some strange reason, Blogger wasn't allowing me to post yesterday. I'm glad it's working today, because our guest blogger, Kathy, sent in a great post. Here you go...

How many of you have ever felt insignificant? Like the tasks you perform and the efforts you invest are not noticed very much? I think we all feel this way at times as we see the headlines featuring public figures whose lives many times seem more worthwhile and on a much grander scale than our own. I recently read a poem by James Foley whose beautifully expressed thoughts gave me great comfort and I want to share it with you:

DROP A PEBBLE IN THE WATER

Drop a pebble in the water; just a splash, and it is gone;
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness; just flash and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing dashing wave
Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness; in a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy a-circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

I loved this poem so much because it gave me more confidence in my efforts no matter how small they may seem to me. We really don't have to look very far to see someone who could benefit from a kind word or gesture. So let's give oursleves credit for the kindesses we share and perfect our ability to be aware enough to share and give of ourselves more freely. As with most things in this world, practice makes perfect.

Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Sister Survivor