Small World???

We all saw the breaking news during the Olympic coverage, couple attacked while visiting a tourist attraction. A collective, compassionate sigh was heard around the world. When it was announced that it was an American couple, a collective American sigh was felt across the ocean. In Minnesota another holding of breath and then a sigh was felt when the couple's identity was noted to be from that state. As the victim's names were released, one dead and one in intensive care with stab wounds, the city of Lakeville, MN began to feel the pain and loss. Throughout the state the pain and loss became more real as well. These people had touched many lives through their well known family floral business and civic involvement. And of course the family, friends, neighbors who knew them best, suffered most.

There, I believed, the pain came to rest. Not so. I was checking out a family funeral in the Beaver Dam, Wisconsin newspaper. The local church noted the Olympic couple's death as one of the denomination's family. The denomination' community shared by so many.

It was then I became crystal clear how the pebble dropping in the pond ANYwhere, effected people EVERYwhere. Count the number of 'communities' touched by this one event. Unfortunately, a negative life event, but masses touched just the same.

If we were more acutely aware how the actions of just one person could impact the people in the farthest corner's of this small world, would we live our lives differently? We could all begin today, right now, making sure our thoughts, words and deeds sent out positive ripples to stroke the face, move the flowers, carry the music of positive life to 'family' we never met.

Are you game to try?