MAKING WAVES

I would like you to envision yourself standing at the edge of a lake, where not a whisper of wind can be heard nor the breath of it felt on your skin. The surface of

the water resembles a sheet of glass. In your hand, you hold a flat stone, ideal for the art of rock skimming. As you contemplate the act of tossing it in, you execute a flick of your wrist, releasing the stone to observe it gracefully leap across the water's surface. With each bounce, it generates a ripple, and then another,  followed by several more, before the stone ultimately submerges, disappearing into the lake's depths. What you are left with, is an enchanting yet somewhat chaotic spectacle as the sun reflects upon the water, casting shimmering patterns upon the trees that

embrace this serene landscape.

Today I wish to share with you my reflections on the imagery you have just conjured

within your mind.

Let us begin by drawing some comparisons. The lake itself may be likened to the world in which we reside—a vast body of water that is continuously influenced by various factors. Factors outside of its existence.

Weather, for instance, can alter its state and capacity. 

The stone in your hand symbolizes you—a tangible entity, at times lying dormant and basking in the warmth of the sun, while in other moments, you find yourself at the mercy of your surroundings, thrust into situations over which you have no control.

There are moments when you may be cast into the lake and immediately descend to the bottom. At other times, you might skip one or two times before gradually disappearing, and then in certain instances, you may glide across the surface for an extended duration, traversing considerable distances before vanishing into the depths below.

Regardless of the path you are on, two certainties remain inevitable: firstly, upon entering the water, you create a wave, and secondly, your journey will ultimately culminate at the lake's bottom. 

This parallel holds true in our lives as well.

In life, we may find ourselves contentedly soaking up the sun's rays in a realm of comfort, where the warmth provides a sense of reassurance. 

Then, unexpectedly, we are lifted from that place and plunged into the world; our cries resonate as we take our first breath and experience the surface of life. 

For some individuals, tragically, this journey is brief, and life concludes before it

truly begins.

Not all journeys will share the same duration, nor do they adhere to identical trajectories. What remains true are the aforementioned certainties, and in this context, I do not refer to the adage of death and taxes. 

While death is indeed one certainty, the other—an impact that transcends

mere taxation—is that you will make a mark on the world, irrespective of the length of your journey.

Upon entering the world, you leave a mark, creating a ripple effect that endures long after your departure. The grief experienced when one is taken from us prematurely resonates long after they have sunk into the depths, manifesting as ripples traversing the water's surface.

Your perception of your own life, including the timing and manner of its conclusion, is of less significance than the impressions you leave behind when you are no longer present on the surface.

At the commencement of my imagery , I allowed you to envision a potentially lengthier existence, one that produces multiple ripples. I characterized it as chaotic beauty, as each ripple interconnects with the next, forming an intricate tapestry, yet the reflections and patterns they produce are distinct and will never manifest again. They are a once in a lifetime occurrence. 

The size of these ripples is contingent upon the shape of the stone and the force with which it is cast. Again, you are that stone—uniquely yourself. Your path and trajectory are influenced by forces beyond your control, this includes the angle at which you collide with the water. 

However, you DO retain control over your reactions and responses, each of which generates a wave, subsequently forming a ripple.

Throughout life, every decision you make is influenced by preceding choices, and thus, all these ripples reflect fragments of your essence—your uniqueness, your beauty.

Thus far, you have observed merely one set of ripples; however, consider a scenario where rain impacts the water, these ripples resembling how each of us interacts with one another. 

Some ripples will  converge, while others may not; however, it is assured that when your ripple intersects with another's, the design WILL alter. What alteration will you make?

You cannot always dictate who enters your life or when they do, but you can

control your actions toward them. When the sun emerges and illuminates these ripples on the water, what impression or image do you wish to leave in your wake.

You are an individual of distinctiveness, 

Your journey is singular; it belongs solely to you.

It is not feasible to traverse the path of another, that experience is not intended for you. 

While you cannot determine the individuals you will meet or moments during which you may encounter other influences, such encounters are inevitable. 

Ultimately, what remains is the decision regarding the impression you wish to impart through the waves you have generated.

Therefore, I leave with you the choice: will you leave behind a reflection of chaotic beauty or merely a disordered mess as you transition from the surface and descend into the depths of the lake?