We Live in a Pond

I have always tried to explain to young people the idea that we all live in the same social pond.  Every decision we make in life has an effect on that pond, like a pebble thrown into it causing a ripple.  Every ripple can be viewed as an action taken, a choice or decision, and for every action, as we all know from physics, there is a reaction.

If the decisions we make are small and insignificant, the effects will be virtually unnoticeable.  If the decision leads to, let's say, an arrest, this can have a large impact on the pond in general.  It would be the difference between dropping a grain of sand in the pond or a large rock.  The ripples of one don't matter much whereas the ripples of the other can swamp lily pads, erode the shore, and destroy habitat and the like.  And if you constantly make poor decisions even the smallest ripples can build upon each other to become a tempest.

Let's take an arrest of "Bill" an example.  Bill says to himself this is no big deal as he was the one arrested so it's his bad.  But, Bill has to go to his mother for bail.  Now mom has to spend money she was saving for another purpose, maybe for food or medical.  Let's say mom can't raise the money so she has to ask her friend, and now the friend is in the same boat.  While out on bail Bill gets arrested again.  The friend of mom's is beginning to feel used, and this affects their friendship.  This story will continue, but right away we see the damage from what Bill thought was his problem.  It has had an effect on Bill, his mother, her friend, their friendship, and possibly others; if the friend is married it may have created strife in the relationship there, and so on.

We tend not to think passed the damage done to our own lives with decisions we make, when, in reality, all of our decisions have the possibility to create far reaching repercussions which affect so many other residents in our pond.  One ripple can cause another ripple, bouncing off someone else to cause yet another ripple, and so on.  One must also be mindful that even the smallest ripple might be the cause of a larger effect, like soil slowly eroding from beneath a rock until that one insignificant ripple removes the last vestige of support and the rock comes sliding into the pond with devastating effect.

Once we understand how the pond works, the best rule of thumb is still to think before we act.  What effect will my actions have on those around me?  It is, truly, not always about you.  Considering others before you take action, or make choices and decisions, may temper selfish desires and help to promote peace and serenity in the greater pond.

It is better, at times, to simply put the pebble down.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with a world renowned Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.