In a world of six billion people, it's easy to believe that the only way to initiate profound transformation is to take extreme action. Each of us, however, carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse.

Reflecting on the 10 Days event (www.Matoto.org) and thoughts & actions in general, a friend and I watched the effects of pebbles into the still waters of the Lake.  10 small rocks made a big splash!  And the most intricate, unpredictable patterns: the way those ripples interacted was unique each time.  They spread and expand as they move outwards, infinitely, though imperceptibly after time.

As the effect of a seemingly insignificant word passes from person to person, its impact grows and can become a source of great joy, inspiration, anxiety, or pain.

The impact you have on the world is greater than you could ever imagine, and the choices you make can have far-reaching consequences.

Every transformation, just like every ripple, has a point of origin. You must believe in your ability to be that point of origin if you want to use the ripples you create to spread goodness.

A smile directed at a stranger, a compliment given to a friend, an attitude of laughter, or a thoughtful gesture can send ripples that spread among your loved ones and associates, out into your community, and finally throughout the world. You have the power to touch the lives of everyone you come into contact with and everyone those people come into contact with. The momentum of your influence will grow as your ripples moves onward and outward. One of those ripples could become a tidal wave of positivity.