Drop a Pebble in the Water

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea. And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget, But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet, And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown; You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on. They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go, And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget; But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet, And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred, And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget; But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy acircling yet, And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.                     –James W. Foley

I love this poem! And I love how it reminds us of the impact we can have with a single word of kindness. I think often times we overlook the impact we can and do have on other people. We don’t recognize how much we have the ability to hurt or to help and all with something as simple as the words that come out of our mouths. Too often we walk by someone and say nothing, when all it might take is a simple “hello” said with a smile to totally make another person’s day. I think this poem is a great reminder to start off this new ahead with. A reminder to use the power of our words to build and lift people around us as we go throughout this week.

Have a beautiful week everyone!

~Amy