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October 2016 ~ The Ripple Effect
- The Ripple Effect
What's in it for me? - How do we change the world for the better?
- What can you do?
- Resources (links, books, articles, the lighter side)
October
2016 ~ The Ripple Effect
How we are in the world affects not our own lives, it affects every one that we come into contact with. At a recent workshop, James van Praagh reminded us how the smallest acts can have a profound impact on another human being. Over our lifetime, we have a profound impact on a very large number of people.
One small example, if we are having a bad day and take our frustration or anger out by being rude to an unsuspecting shop-keeper, that shop-keeper then does the same with an employee, and the employee does the same with a family member and that family member does the same with a neighbor until our small act of anger magnifies into untold ripples of anger. Or, you take a drink, get in your car and cause a fatal accident, killing an innocent family. Many lives are affected and incredible pain is caused by your unthinking actions.
The same is true if we are kind to someone else. If we give a smile and thank you to a shop-keeper, they feel better and show kindness to an employee, and the employee does the same with a family member, and the family member does the same with a neighbor and our small act of kindness magnifies into untold ripples of kindness that spread far beyond our self. Or, you drive a friend home who has had a drink and you avoid that fatal accident.
Who benefits from your gentleness or kindness? It has been proven that a positive attitude affects your physical health as well as your emotional and psychological health. So, not only do other people benefit from you being kinder and gentler, your physical body benefits as well.
Anger and frustration create physical stresses on our body that can do significant damage over time. When we are angry, our heart rate increases, our teeth clench, acids increase in our stomach, our muscles clench. We may lose our perspective or do harm to our self or others by focusing only on anger.
How do we change the world for the better?
One person at a time. One day at a time. One smile and one small act of kindness at a time. Start with yourself and everything else will fall into place.
Each day, make a choice to be a little gentler — with yourself and others. Each day, make a choice to be a little kinder — with yourself and with others. That simple daily choice can change the world — the Ripple Effect.
Internet Resources
- How your attitudes affect your health http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-your-attitudes-affect-your-health
- How do thoughts & emotions impact health? http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/health/thoughts-emotions/how-do-thoughts-emotions-impact-health
- Health aging: Studies identify a new link to longevity https://www.pinnaclecare.com/blog/attitude-affects-aging/
- Forget about anger and bitterness ... Invite kindness and love into Your life http://www.myhealthylivingcoach.com/forget-about-anger-and-bitterness-invite-kindness-and-love-into-your-life/
- Does your attitude affect your health? https://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/holistic-medicine-25/holistic-medicine-news-383/does-your-attitude-affect-your-health-647819.html
- 18 science-based reasons to try loving-kindness meditation today! http://www.emmaseppala.com/18-science-based-reasons-try-loving-kindness-meditation-today/
- Intentional acts of kindness http://www.mindful.org/intentional-acts-of-kindness/
- Mind & body connection - attitudes affect your health http://www.gdatf.org/about/about-graves-disease/patient-education/mind-body-connection-attitudes-affect-your-health/
- Positive thinking: stop negative self-talk to reduce stress http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
- Managing health requires understanding the influence of psychological factors (such as attitude and mood) and overall quality of life.
- How positive thinking can improve your health http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/optimism-and-health_n_4031688.html
- A
negative attitude affects every aspect of your life (
PDF) - Hostility vs. Kindness test http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=1604
Books
- Disclosure: We get a small
commission for purchases made via links to Amazon.
- The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life. Piero Ferrucci. TarcherPerigee, 2007. ISBN 978-1585425884
- What Does It Mean to be Kind? Rana DiOrio, Stephane Jorish. Littel Pickle Press, 2015. ISBN 978-1939775092
- The Hidden Power of Kindness: A Practical Handbook for Souls Who Dare to Transform the World, One Deed at a Time. Lawrence Lovasik. Sophia Institute Press, 1999. ISBN 78-1928832003
- Awaken the Inner Shaman: A Guide to the Power Path of the Heart. José Stevens, Ph.D. Sounds True, 2014. ISBN 978-1622030934
- 7 Personality Types: Discover Your True Role in Achieving Success and Happiness. Elizabeth Puttick, PhD. Hay House, 2009. US version: ISBN-10: 1401924565 ISBN-13: 978-1401924560 (UK & Australia versions) www.7personalitytypes.com
- The Personality Puzzle: Solving the Mystery of Who You Are. Jose Stevens, JP Van Hulle. Pivotal Resources; (December 1990) ASIN: 0942663063
- The Power Path: The Shaman's Way to Success in Business and Life. Jose Stevens. New World Library, 2002. ISBN: 1577312171
- The 7 Aspects of Sisterhood: Empowering Women Through Self-Discovery. Debra Gawrych. Common Boundaries Consulting & Communications; (September 2002) ISBN: 0971064601
- Transforming Your Dragons: Turning Personality Fear Patterns into Personal Power. Jose Stevens. Bear & Co; (July 1994) ISBN: 1879181177
- The High Price of Manhood: A man's action plan for getting along better in the 21st century. Michael Jay Anthony. Lulu, 2015. ISBN 978-1-312-29139-3 (paperback). ISBN 978-1-329-58227-9 (ebook/PDF).
- Income Without a Job: Living Well Without a Paycheck. Michael Jay Anthony, Barbara J. Taylor. Lulu.com, 2008 ISBN-13: 978-0-557-00377-8. Website: www.income-without-a-job.com. Tap into your own creativity and use your full potential. Learn how to see opportunities that others miss.
The Lighter Side
The Road Not Taken
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.Robert Frost (1874–1963).
About our resource links: We do not endorse or agree with all the beliefs in these links. We do keep an open mind about different viewpoints and respect the ability of our readers to decide for themselves what is useful.
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