My grandfather took me to the fish pond on the farm
when I was about seven, and he told me to
throw a stone into the water. He told me to
watch the circles created by the stone.
Then he asked me to think of myself as that stone person.
"You may create lots of splashes in your life
but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb
the peace of all your fellow creatures," he said.
"Remember that you are responsible for what
you put in your circle and that circle will also touch
many other circles. You will need to live in a way
that allows the good that comes from your circle
to send the peace of that goodness to others.
The splash that comes from anger or jealousy
will send those feelings to other circles.
You are responsible for both."
That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out
into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict,
hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether
we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world,
creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.
Remember the eternal wisdom: WHATEVER YOU FOCUS ON EXPANDS.
