# Chapter 132

Our actions make ripples of influence on the lives of others - for good or ill. Even in the Coronavirusworld we live in today, even with all the quarantining and isolating everyone is doing to stop the spread of the virus, no one lives in a vacuum. What you do and don’t do affects other people for good or for bad. Our lives are an endless stream of ripples pealing off from our actions and deeds. This applies to our unintended actions and mistakes as well. It applies to our car accident that occurs when driving distracted by the phone, the kids and the dog, as well as when I help my handicapped neighbor get their groceries and take care of their lawn and house.

This happens when we are mean and petty and strike out at people and diminish them. This happens when we help a child with their homework. This happens when we tell poisonous things about a person or situation regardless of the truth of the matter, and it happens when we praise a person for a job well done or a valiant effort. This happens when we are destructive and tear down, and this happens when we are constructive and build up. This happens when we complain about everyone and everything, and this happens when we volunteer to coach a team or deliver meals on wheels.

Choose your ripples carefully.