"Each choice we make causes a ripple effect in our lives. When things happen to us, it is the reaction we choose that can create the difference between the sorrows of our past and the joy of our future."
Yes, we did not really talk about those people... people who create havoc... often intentionally.
I have encountered them... one and many... many as one.
People without face... who leave destruction on their path.
I pointed one of them (Before I realized just What he is) to this thread... and he said he could not post in it because "it's too mushy... too much estrogen" he said. In retrospect, I realized that he could not possibly post in a thread like this. Because he is either totally unaware of the ripples he makes, or (more likely) he does not care.
I cannot help but wonder about people like that... trying to put myself in their shoes... How can they detach so much? Is there a heart inside?
If one is not careful... if one lets such a person into her life... we cannot control what they will do... what they will break...
We are not responsible for their actions as we do not control them.
However... we control our responses and reactions to them... and we can chose not to let their ripple spread... in a cycle of pain and hurt.
Because if we do... they win.
I would still rather be hurt than hurt another.
My wounds will heal... even if they leave a scar.
But the wounds inflicted on another... they Have to make a mark on your own being... an ugly scab, that will follow you around... poisoning your own existence.
Right now I am trying to forgive myself for letting someone to create those other ripples... ripples of pain and hurt. As I am reeling from that experience... as I am gasping for air... just trying to keep my head above the water... it's hard not to say to myself "how stupid were you not to realize what was going on?"... it's hard to forgive myself for doing nothing wrong but trusting someone who should not have been trusted.
I've been at peace with myself and with my life for a long time... but, I lost that recently and I need to get there.
*shrugs*
Not the easiest path to find.
****
Unknown
When you drop a pebble into a still pond, you'll see a splash... You'll notice concentric circles rippling out from the center, where the pebble hit the water. You may watch the ripple travel out in an ever expanding ring...
But, the pebble might also have other effects. As it sinks it might scare a bunch of fish (so appropriate to remember on this site), or frighten a duck enough so that it leaps out of the water. A simple act of throwing the pebble into the pond caused change, and you are connected to the pebble, the water and through the effects of throwing to the fish and the duck.
The term "Ripple Effect" was coined by Jacob Kounin in 1970, to describe the effect teachers may exert on students. The term itself spread beyond the field of education, as it applies to our everyday lives.
Ripple effect reminds us that no action is without reaction, and the ripples, in some cases, may be far-reaching.
As I read through couple of wonderful posts today, I could not help but think of the ways in which people from here (people that I have never met) and the words that they write affect my life and create the ripple effect... whether they know it or not.
Our thoughts and our actions are like that pebble, dropped into still waters, in as much as they create ripples that spread and expand outwards. What we think and what we do affects the people in our lives and their reactions in turn affect others... they all add to the ripple.
So, what I would like to ask of you is to think about the ways in which you were a pebble that initiated changes, or about the ways in which the ripples affected you.
Each of us has a capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. The choices that we make have real consequences, in our own lives and in lives of others. I would like to hear about the people whose words or actions changed your world, as well as about the ways in which you have impacted others... in this pond, or outside of it - in real life.
When you drop a pebble into a still pond, you'll see a splash... You'll notice concentric circles rippling out from the center, where the pebble hit the water. You may watch the ripple travel out in an ever expanding ring...
But, the pebble might also have other effects. As it sinks it might scare a bunch of fish (so appropriate to remember on this site), or frighten a duck enough so that it leaps out of the water. A simple act of throwing the pebble into the pond caused change, and you are connected to the pebble, the water and through the effects of throwing to the fish and the duck.
The term "Ripple Effect" was coined by Jacob Kounin in 1970, to describe the effect teachers may exert on students. The term itself spread beyond the field of education, as it applies to our everyday lives.
Ripple effect reminds us that no action is without reaction, and the ripples, in some cases, may be far-reaching.
As I read through couple of wonderful posts today, I could not help but think of the ways in which people from here (people that I have never met) and the words that they write affect my life and create the ripple effect... whether they know it or not.
Our thoughts and our actions are like that pebble, dropped into still waters, in as much as they create ripples that spread and expand outwards. What we think and what we do affects the people in our lives and their reactions in turn affect others... they all add to the ripple.
So, what I would like to ask of you is to think about the ways in which you were a pebble that initiated changes, or about the ways in which the ripples affected you.
Each of us has a capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. The choices that we make have real consequences, in our own lives and in lives of others. I would like to hear about the people whose words or actions changed your world, as well as about the ways in which you have impacted others... in this pond, or outside of it - in real life.
***
Sometimes we affect people unintentionally... without ever trying... or are affected by those who did not try, or do not even know that they affected us.
I had a chance to meet a Holocaust survivor some time ago. He was in Mathauzen and Auswitchz. His father was killed in front of him when he was 12. He spoke about his experiences during the war, the anger that he felt afterwards. About the ways in which he tried to get revenge and how empty he felt.
And then he spoke about love and about learning to let go of his anger... About realizing that his anger was toxic to his own being, and that in order to heal he had to stop being angry and forgive those who imprisoned him and killed almost all of his family members and millions of others.
I just sat there... tears running down my face.
I went to my office and started thinking about what he said. And, I realized that if he was able to forgive (not to forget, but to forgive), who the hell am I to be angry about anything and at anyone?? I let go of my anger that day. I forgave those who wronged me, and I felt that my own heart was hurting less. I started healing.
I don't do anger since that day. I just don't.
For my own sake...
That man has no idea what he did for me.
He will never know.
But, that day will stay with me forever.
I had a chance to meet a Holocaust survivor some time ago. He was in Mathauzen and Auswitchz. His father was killed in front of him when he was 12. He spoke about his experiences during the war, the anger that he felt afterwards. About the ways in which he tried to get revenge and how empty he felt.
And then he spoke about love and about learning to let go of his anger... About realizing that his anger was toxic to his own being, and that in order to heal he had to stop being angry and forgive those who imprisoned him and killed almost all of his family members and millions of others.
I just sat there... tears running down my face.
I went to my office and started thinking about what he said. And, I realized that if he was able to forgive (not to forget, but to forgive), who the hell am I to be angry about anything and at anyone?? I let go of my anger that day. I forgave those who wronged me, and I felt that my own heart was hurting less. I started healing.
I don't do anger since that day. I just don't.
For my own sake...
That man has no idea what he did for me.
He will never know.
But, that day will stay with me forever.
***
Twelve years ago I moved to this country. I came to attend school. I have never even been to the US prior to that.
The flight to Los Angeles was long, exciting but also terrifying. Knowing that I won't see my family for at least nine months was saddening and I cried for a long time. Once I managed to get over that I realized that I was scared. I had no idea what awaits me, I was scared of the new place, new school, classes in English, people who were bound to be so different from the people I knew. I was overwhelmed by fear... scared sh1tless, to put it nicely.
As we finally approached LA, and flew over that vast city I thought of the abys that I will imminently fall into, all alone. I could hardly breathe at that point.
Sitting next to me was a young Mexican family; mom, dad and a little 2 year old girl. We did not talk during the flight, I was wrapped in my own emotions and they slept for the most part. They woke up and started getting ready for landing. The little girl noticed me and started talking to me... In Spanish, of course...I had no idea what she was saying. Then, she looked me and smiled, she extended her little arm to me and in her palm was a candy... a fruity kind...newer saw it before...
Suddenly, I felt at peace with myself. It seemed as though this little girl is a face of my new world, the new life that awaits me... smiling at me, reassuring me that everything will be all right.
The week after arriving to LA was probably among the top 3 most difficult times in my life. I won't go into details here. Suffice to say that several times I felt that I should just head back to the airport and return home, that this was too much for me to handle. But, each time that thought entered my mind I'd see the little girl smiling at me, I'd look at the candy she gave me and I knew that I will survive.
The ripple effect of a random act of kindness.
I still have that candy... and I can still see her smile.
The flight to Los Angeles was long, exciting but also terrifying. Knowing that I won't see my family for at least nine months was saddening and I cried for a long time. Once I managed to get over that I realized that I was scared. I had no idea what awaits me, I was scared of the new place, new school, classes in English, people who were bound to be so different from the people I knew. I was overwhelmed by fear... scared sh1tless, to put it nicely.
As we finally approached LA, and flew over that vast city I thought of the abys that I will imminently fall into, all alone. I could hardly breathe at that point.
Sitting next to me was a young Mexican family; mom, dad and a little 2 year old girl. We did not talk during the flight, I was wrapped in my own emotions and they slept for the most part. They woke up and started getting ready for landing. The little girl noticed me and started talking to me... In Spanish, of course...I had no idea what she was saying. Then, she looked me and smiled, she extended her little arm to me and in her palm was a candy... a fruity kind...newer saw it before...
Suddenly, I felt at peace with myself. It seemed as though this little girl is a face of my new world, the new life that awaits me... smiling at me, reassuring me that everything will be all right.
The week after arriving to LA was probably among the top 3 most difficult times in my life. I won't go into details here. Suffice to say that several times I felt that I should just head back to the airport and return home, that this was too much for me to handle. But, each time that thought entered my mind I'd see the little girl smiling at me, I'd look at the candy she gave me and I knew that I will survive.
The ripple effect of a random act of kindness.
I still have that candy... and I can still see her smile.
***
I posted above my experiences that were positive, but I was affected even more by some of the experiences that were difficult and painful. The worst experiences of my life taught me perhaps the most valuable lessons.
I said earlier that I have seen the face of evil and I did. I have seen the faces of people who killed others and who would not think twice before harming me... their intention was to crush my spirit, but they could have annihilated my physical existence if they wanted... they already did it to many others. They were in control of my body and of my freedom; there was nothing that I could have done to change it. If they wanted, they could have ruined not only my life, but lives of those who I love the most.
The reason that the worst did not happen was not anything I have done or said, nor was it a sudden chage of heart that they had. The events unfolded the way they did due to historical circumstances, and it was my sheer luck that what happened to me happened at that particular time and not few months earlier. If it happened earlier, or if the changes that took place did not happen, I would not be here and I would not be writing these words.
It took me a while to get over that experience... to stop having nightmares. But, I got over it, on my own... no help of drugs... no shrinks. I came out of it stronger and wiser. I also came out of it with knowledge about the horrors that humans can inflict on others. I am now able to understand better how people on receiving end feel. I can empathize with their suffering because I know that what happened to me is just a tip of the iceberg and I know how terrifying it was and how shaken I was by it. I came out even more convinced that when one sees evil, one should speak out if she wants to make a difference, no matter the consequences. I came out being more able to relate to the pain of others, and perhaps that might make some difference in their lives....
My own little footprint in this world.
Because we all leave the footprint.
*****
I have encountered them... one and many... many as one.
People without face... who leave destruction on their path.
I pointed one of them (Before I realized just What he is) to this thread... and he said he could not post in it because "it's too mushy... too much estrogen" he said. In retrospect, I realized that he could not possibly post in a thread like this. Because he is either totally unaware of the ripples he makes, or (more likely) he does not care.
I cannot help but wonder about people like that... trying to put myself in their shoes... How can they detach so much? Is there a heart inside?
If one is not careful... if one lets such a person into her life... we cannot control what they will do... what they will break...
We are not responsible for their actions as we do not control them.
However... we control our responses and reactions to them... and we can chose not to let their ripple spread... in a cycle of pain and hurt.
Because if we do... they win.
I would still rather be hurt than hurt another.
My wounds will heal... even if they leave a scar.
But the wounds inflicted on another... they Have to make a mark on your own being... an ugly scab, that will follow you around... poisoning your own existence.
****
I am aware of the ripples that *I* make... I try to make more of the good ones... every moment of my life.Right now I am trying to forgive myself for letting someone to create those other ripples... ripples of pain and hurt. As I am reeling from that experience... as I am gasping for air... just trying to keep my head above the water... it's hard not to say to myself "how stupid were you not to realize what was going on?"... it's hard to forgive myself for doing nothing wrong but trusting someone who should not have been trusted.
I've been at peace with myself and with my life for a long time... but, I lost that recently and I need to get there.
*shrugs*
Not the easiest path to find.
****
