The Ripple Effect

The ripples of light 
A reflection of the moon
still, stagnant, a clear mirror of
what’s above, so below.

Which image is true? 
Which image, the reflection?

A pebble in the water 
will break that perfect, serene image.

Life each day is full of pebbles.
They can disrupt a clear scene, 
- real or imagined – 
thought, plan, or idea.

And now you are at a crossroads.
or plans get derailed, 
Goals change.
Our focus and interests evolve as pebbles too.

The fluidity reminds me to not be so rigid 
and stuck.

Like a mirror of glass,
I can reflect in my own imperfect image.

And that is just as real or valid.
Imagined or rooted in the here and now.

The ripple effect.

Some pebbles are big, heavy rocks
that make a big splash
Disrupting the quiet. 
The waters are moved with brute force.

A little pebble may not have such a loud, 
obvious effect.
But its ripples still go out, far and wide.

Is there a cause and effect?
Do our stones create the waves 
of rage or anger?
or serenity on our shores 
further down the journey?

We can’t hold all the stones to prevent their departure.
Release them into the waters.
Transform them into sand.
Hardships meet resistance.
Sharp jagged edges get smoothed down.

Even if it breaks into a million pieces, 
the rock is still ever present.

Holding onto the rocks would be a burden, 
their weight, their heaviness,
and sharp edges.

We wouldn’t feel or see the joy 
and lightness that surrounds us.

If we drop them all at once, 
it’s like hitting rock bottom.
A jarring crash to the system.

Can I let go of this stone,
even the pretty ones?

I can carry them in my pocket 
but eventually there will be a hole 
or they will be lost without my attention or care.

Then I will feel loss, grief, dismay. 
But it wasn’t all resting on 
what the stone represents.

It is all inside of me.  
The burden and the light.  
The sadness and the joy.

There is safety in letting go.
Now I am free to embrace the day,
to make connections, 
to feel joy, love, peace, and gratitude.

Accepting that a perfect, 
serene scene was never 
the end goal anyway.