Rippling Connections

     As a rock skimming across the surface of a lake eventually affects the sand on the shore, one’s actions also touch various levels in another’s life.  One’s action’s can be viewed as chain reactions.  They always impact something else.  In the book The Five People You Meet In Heaven, when Eddie’s ball is thrown across the street, he chooses to run after it.  Because of his choice and action, a car swerved to prevent from hitting him.  The driver eventually suffered a heart attack in response to Eddie’s initial interaction with the ball.  Just as the rock grazed a fish’s fin and caused the sediment to mix with the water, not all actions have as drastic reactions as death.  An action that may seem as small as a smile to one person may make another person’s whole day.  That simple smile, filled with caring and encouragement, could be all another person needs to prevent them from being mean to someone on the bus.  Everything happens for a reason.  No action happens by mistake.  Just as the fishing boat’s motor causes the sediment and sand to be carried to the shoreline and gradually settle on the beach, the action was meant to occur before it was set in motion.  Tala was meant to explain to Eddie that he was destined to work at the pier to protect children.  In conclusion, all actions and reactions are meant to be. They are not left to chance like a lottery.  Once a rock has been cast at the surface of the water, the position of the sand crystals on the beach are already determined before the rock hits the bottom of the lake.