It was one of those magical days that I’ve only experienced a few times before, a hot sunny day in April when the ice on the lake begins to thaw. It lasts for only a short time when something gives and the thick layer of ice turns to slush. It’s the most amazing time to be in a kayak! With every stroke you chip away at what has been still for months and with new life the ripples are in motion again.
We create ripples each day, but we don’t see it as clearly as we do when we break the ice. Sometimes it takes a hard blow to crack the surface and other times it separates smoothly like slush in a frozen cocktail. Either way, it’s a temporary transition, for eventually it will melt and the water will flow effortlessly.
I suppose that I enjoy kayaking on a frozen lake because it’s a short-lived gift, a brief fleeting moment in time with the promise of sunny days ahead. As I break through the ice, I can almost hear echoes of children splashing about and cheers of laughter as they leap off the dock in utter joy.
On the flip side, I see the ripples from my paddle cracking the ice in the distance, as far as the eye can see. It reminds me of the powerful effect that each of us has on the world around us.
- What are the ripples of intention that you are sending across the lake?
- What is the impact of your actions when they reach the other shore?
