Inspirational articles from Living Life Fully

Ripples of Love
Joseph J. Mazzella

I love walking around a lake that lies just a few miles from my home. The lake is surrounded by trees and its paths are beautiful no matter what season of the year it is. I have gotten in the habit of taking my children with me on these walks as well. They seem to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery, and oneness with nature as much as I do. My kids, however, do have one other reason for enjoying the lake. Like all children they enjoy tossing rocks out into the middle of it.

They see how far they can toss a rock across it and watch the endless ripples that appear from the splash. I often wonder myself how far those ripples would go if the shores of the lake were not there to stop them.

A loving act, I think, is often like dropping a rock into the water. Only this time there is no lake shore to stop the ripples. The ripples from your loving act continue to flow onward and outward, touching the hearts and souls of everyone with no end that you can ever see.

If you don't believe me, then try it out for yourself. Say something kind and loving to everyone you meet today, smile at everyone, send out thoughts of joy and delight to everyone you pass, help everyone you can without being asked and watch the effects. You will be amazed at how people will brighten when touched by your love and goodness.

You will be amazed at how they will take it into their hearts and pass it on to others. You will be amazed at how your few acts of love will ripple out to change the world around you.

Remember then to choose and share all the love and joy you can today. It may seem only a drop in an ocean, but God will make sure that the ripples spread out to touch the entire world.

Joe's a happily married father of three who lives in the mountains of West Virginia.

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Yes, life can be mysterious and confusing--but there's much of life that's actually rather dependable and reliable. Some principles apply to life in so many different contexts that they can truly be called universal--and learning what they are and how to approach them and use them can teach us some of the most important lessons that we've ever learned.
My doctorate is in Teaching and Learning. I use it a lot when I teach at school, but I also do my best to apply what I've learned to the life I'm living, and to observe how others live their lives. What makes them happy or unhappy, stressed or peaceful, selfish or generous, compassionate or arrogant? In this book, I've done my best to pass on to you what I've learned from people in my life, writers whose works I've read, and stories that I've heard. Perhaps these principles can be a positive part of your life, too!
Universal Principles of Living Life Fully. Awareness of these principles can explain a lot and take much of the frustration out of the lives we lead.