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The ripple effect

No,I am not talking about strawberries and ice cream but that’s good too.

No,I am not talking about strawberries and ice cream but that’s good too.

I am speaking of all the little things that affect all the other things. Imagine when you toss a pebble into a pond and the water ripples in a series of circles moving outward from the center.

Everything you do - everything - has a ripple. When I am in a drive through, once in a while, I like to pay for the person behind me. People have done it for me too and the ripple is amazing. I can’t stop smiling. A $2 coffee and my whole day just got better and no, not just because of the coffee. When I do it for another person, I love driving off, giggling to myself, knowing that they have no idea who did that or why. That’s a great ripple!

I was at a funeral Saturday for the late Steve Dills. Sad, yes, but think of the ripples this man made in his life. It is unreal how much Steve meant to our community, especially during his time as the editor for the Sylvan Lake News. His reporting, editorials and connections were legendary. He was the very fabric that bound our town together and gave us a voice and an identity. That’s some powerful ripple action.

Working out has a ripple effect too and not just the muscle fibers when you flex. When you make the time to work out, your metabolism changes for the better. You sleep better, you digest your food better, you get stronger, you burn fat, you get leaner, you look better, you feel better, you get to buy different clothes, people compliment you more, you can lift, carry and move things easier - all that happens just from exercise.

Eating well is the other ripple effect that exercise needs to go hand in hand with it. By eating a great, healthy meal, you give your body the nutrients it needs to heal, fend off a cold, repair tissue, balance hormones, create energy, build muscle, burn fat, process waste, and remain younger. By choosing locally grown farmers market food, or organic, whole, real foods, you send a marketing ripple out to the world.

You support small, local, real food and the large manufacturing machines with the chemicals and poor practices for the planet get less money. If we all chose healthy, real food, then the market would shift to support that choice. Apple farmers would thrive, and Kraft Dinner factories would downsize. Hey, I love a little KD now and again but honestly, I choose the organic rice pasta version with real cheese but that’s me, creating my ripple.

Getting enough sleep has a ripple effect too. It carries you into the day with energy, mental clarity and patience for whatever comes your way. In turn, you are nicer to people, more patient, can think clearer, so you do a better job, which impresses your boss or your clients, who then have a better day.

Being rude, inconsiderate or mean has a ripple effect too and we don’t need any of that. It makes everything worse and nobody wins that game.

So everywhere you go now, I want you to consider your ripple effect. It doesn’t have to be massive or earth changing. Be nicer than normal to the cashier at the grocery store. Open the door for someone. Hustle across the intersection instead of walking slowly. Let someone in line in front of you. Stay out of the passing lane on the highway. Pick up some litter. Smile. Volunteer at an event.

If we all do these little things, the world will change for the better.

Happy Training!

Scott