We never know, do we?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

We never really know the impact of our words and actions on others. This morning, the flash floods in CA reminded me of something my mother did which I felt was very courageous. She was teaching a class of nearly 40 students in grade school when a bad storm blew up. We knew that we could be hit by a tornado, but there was no call to go to the basement. She was able to keep that large group of students calm and collected even as the wind came up and nearly blew in the windows. I had always admired her coolness and even copied it when a similar situation came my way. The point of all this is that when I called her today, she couldn't even remember the incident! And yet it was one of my most powerful childhood memories.

Why bring this up? I guess so that we try to be very mindful of what we say and do. We never know when our words or actions might become a lasting memory for someone else. Let us hope that what we say and do is an inspiration to others, and not a bad memory.

[Maat]

1. Very wise words (n/t).

[wildflower]

2. True, &sometimes we don't know that the words will end up impacting us.

We might run into a friend, loved one, or even a stranger one day and be brusque because we don't have time to talk...

...then find out later that the person died the next day.

And we reflect on the words we said that day, often for the rest of our lives.

You're right, it is good to always be mindful. We just never know.

[I Have A Dream]

3. Yeah, it's that whole concept of ripples in a pond.

I think that many of us are here to be examples for others -- that is one of our biggest roles in this life. Talk is cheap, but when people see things really put into action, it inspires them, gives them hope, and allows them to see what's possible.

My mother was this way for me as well, and it was the little things that she did on a daily basis that inspired me most. :)