Think about this: a single thing you do today can ultimately affect dozens of other people, or even hundreds. This is the ripple effect, and it’s a powerful way to spread positivity—or negativity—in the world.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines the ripple effect as a situation in which one event produces effects that spread and produce further effects. This can apply to events in virtually every aspect of life, including families, larger social circles, economics, business, politics, religion, entertainment, and other areas.
And it can apply to each of us individually. Yes, we can all create a ripple effect without even realizing we’re doing so.
Let’s look at some examples of negative ripple effects first, to get them out of the way. One example is a pandemic such as Covid, where one infected person could cause multiple other people to get the virus—in many cases without realizing it. Another example is an economic recession, or even poor business decisions by one company, that lead to many layoffs.
On a more individual level, a negative ripple effect might be when a parent physically abuses a child, who then becomes a bully at school who picks on another student, who ends up being psychologically scarred.
But I want to focus on the positive ripple effect. I found this description by the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, an organization that promotes social and emotional development for children, which I think summarizes the idea nicely:
“One of the most beautiful aspects of kindness is its ability to create a ripple effect. When you’re kind to someone, it often inspires them to be kind to others. This simple act of goodwill can set off a chain reaction of positivity that can touch countless lives. The smile you share with a stranger may brighten their day and encourage them to do the same for someone else. It’s a powerful cycle that multiplies the impact of kindness exponentially.”
Most of us come into contact with multiple people every day, whether it’s in person, on a phone call, via email or text, or on social media. Each encounter or interaction offers an opportunity to launch a positive ripple effect.
Here are few examples of simple things we can do to set off a ripple effect:
- Pay someone a compliment
- Comfort someone who’s having a rough day
- Allow someone to go in front of you when driving or at the grocery store
- Visit a sick or homebound relative or friend
- Call someone you haven’t spoken with in a while
- Acknowledge someone’s work on a project
- Express sincere gratitude for a kind gesture
- Donate time or money to a cause
There are countless other examples. As I mentioned, these are simple things we can do. But even the simplest kindness can go a long way.
When I first began writing this blog I wrestled with whether it was worth the effort. Then someone mentioned that I might never know the positive impact it might have on someone, who will then pass on the positivity to someone else, and so on. That’s the ripple effect, and acknowledging the possible positive impact of this helped me decide to keep at it.
So the next time you perform an act of kindness, allow yourself a moment to think about how much that simple gesture can help make this a slightly better world.
Read more about the ripple effect in my new book, Life Lessons. Order your copy today!
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”—Mother Teresa
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