Expounding about Windmills and Ripples

Allrighty then, here we are at the scene of what may prove to be the most meandering ramble of the day.

I have a picture of Don Quixote in mind that is quite different from the one portrayed in the novel (as best as I can tell). My Don travels with his sidekick, doing his best to perform good deeds with noble intent. His perception of reality is a bit skewed, but so what?- he's trying to make the world as he sees it a better place, often in the face of all kinds of obstacles. He doesn't let the windmills of the world, nor his critics, nor the people that might greet him with derision deter him in pursuit of his ideal. I say good for him. Idealism is not a bad thing.

I have this theory, I'm sure its not original to the world but I like to claim it. I call it the "Ripple Theory of Positivity" It is very long, detailed and seemingly non-sensical to the casual observer. I shall spare any of you that have read this far the supporting data and calculations I have amassed over years of development. You'll have to trust me on this, or take it as an article of faith.

In summary the Ripple Theory of Positivity (hereafter known as RTofP) works like this: Picture if you will a calm, still pond. Take a pebble, toss it into the pond (not angrily throw, or try to skip, but just an easy toss, no big deal) and it will make a pleasing "plop in the water" sound, and from the point of entry, ripples will emanate. They grow larger and larger covering an increasing surface area, until they reach the far edges of the banks of the pond. If there are water grasses, they will ripple in conjunction, and in fact, vibrate the air around their stalks, sending invisible ripples out to who knows where, infinitely measurable. I call this evolution the "Ripple Effect" (hereafter known as RE).

Now, here's the tricky part because the RE can be generated by either a positive pebble plop (PPP) or a negative pebble plop (NPP). Studies indicate (sadly) that NPP seems to be the dominate generator of RE. But I believe in finite limits of all physical and metaphysical components of the universe, and Taoism postulates that everything has an equal but opposite twin. Therefore, I believe there is an equal amount of PPP available in the universe which will generate a POSITIVE RE! Thus, the logical proof of the RTofP!

So here's the thing: we can harness this energy via the RTofP, and use it to turn the tide of the times. You and everyone you know hold a metaphorical pebble in your hand. Is it a (+) pebble or a (-) pebble? Ah, here's the magic: each person gets to decide.

So I challenge everyone...decide your metaphorical pebble is a (+) and use it to generate a PPP. The process is simple: toss your metaphorical (+) pebble into the pond of humanity immediately adjacent to you (office, bus, school, gym, restaurant, etc). Do this by doing something very small but nice for someone, preferrably a stranger. This is the toss. The PPP is the immediate effect on the person receiving the deed (maybe unawares). This in turn should stimulate another positive ripple. You may never know if it does, but its an act of faith. Maybe positive ripples will affect all adjacent people. Maybe they in turn will decide their metaphorical pebble is a (+) and give it a toss. Because the ripples radiate outwards, the effect is exponential in growth. From one person being positively affected can end up generating ripples that positively effect thousands. And it could just keep on growing. If you doubt it, just look at the wide ranging effect a NPP has, and remember that PPP is equal and volume and energy.

It is way too easy in this day and time, this society and culture we live in, to be negative. We get so many messages from so many sources that make us feel bad or lacking...there are many systems that cultivate despair and crush hope. Optimism is frowned upon by pragmatic realists. I think there are people that are heavily invested in darkness, for there is money to be made there. I think the only appropriate response to that position is to pick your windmills and run at them full-on. Only with a fearless optimism, a willingness to consistently choose positivity over negativity, and the desire to cultivate hope for ourseleves and anyone we come in contact with can we begin to shine some light into all this darkness.

You're going to make a ripple, you can't move thru the universe without making waves. The pebbles are in your hand. Are they going to be positively charged, or negative? You decide...before you do, think about this: You can create ripples, but you are also touched by the ones every one else creates. So which do you want to feel wash over you?

If this feels all new and weird to you and you need to dip your toe in the water, toss a pebble here.

Have a great evening! Make those ripples count!