The Ripple Effect

We may not always reach the multitudes, but we each can follow our inner calling and do our best.

- Dr. Mark Pitstick

The Bhagavad Gita, a collection of Hindu wisdom teachings, says to do what you feel called to do and do it as well as you can, but don’t be attached to the fruits of your actions.

That’s very important and practical advice since we usually can’t, from a limited human perspective, fully gauge the results of our actions. We take score too soon since we can’t see the big picture and, thus, judge outcomes prematurely.

A ripple effect emanates—far beyond what you can sense—from your thoughts, words and deeds. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t seem to be making the impact you want. Do your very best and know that is enough.

A personal lesson about this occurred years ago when I gave my first holistic health seminar. The very reasonable admission fee went toward refurbishing our city’s historic Majestic Theater. We publicized the event by radio, TV, newspaper and flyers and hoped for a full house of 300 people.

The big day arrived, ominously, as the first warm sunny day of spring in Ohio. Not a good sign after a long cold and dreary winter. I figured maybe only 200 would attend because of the great weather. Show time approached and the crowd was very sparse, but I still hoped for a late rush to reach the 100 mark.