Making Waves

"Don't you know that your life will amount to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean?” the father told him. With a smile he replied, “Yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?”

from Cloud Atlas

Life begins and ends before we know it. Even the line in between our start and our finish is a dash, which also sounds like a short period of time.  Childhood is a blur and then the teenage years are over before we realize it. Young adulthood leads us to our career of choice and future spouse. That is followed by a long (and hopefully satisfying) career and raising children as we inevitably stare retirement in the face. We sit in our comfortable chair trying to understand where the years have gone. Have we made a difference? Have we changed anything or made a dent in this world of 7 billion?

Like a stone thrown into a still lake, we make ripples that spread out from the impact and rock the area near the splash. If we are lucky, it spreads to nearby boats or laps on the shore. Before long it is still again; the pond waits for the next disturbance. Every generation sees its heroes. It’s presidents. It’s sports stars and celebrities. They come upon the scene, steal their 15 minutes of fame and their spot in a hall of fame, a star on a boulevard, or a website, and they fade into oblivion. Should we give up on making a difference? Hide in our rooms and protect what is ours? Or do we fight?

Speaking from the optimist’s camp, I believe we have to make ripples. We can make people happy. We can love our children and our parents. We can change someone’s life by believing in them and letting them know they have potential.  We can stand up for injustice. We can help people see God and the love He offers. We can help them share in the peace that passes all understanding. We can choose to make waves.

Who are the brave? The ones who get out of bed every morning, take a deep breath, and prepare for battle. They are the ones who throw stones into the water and make as many waves as possible during the time of their “dash”. They know the water will calm when they leave. They know it cannot last forever. But they have not given up on making a difference. They have not given up hope for humanity.

And neither have I. I choose to make waves in the areas my life touches and ride the waves that stir around me, carrying hope with me until my dying breath.