Water Flows

There are three photographs of water hanging on the wall in front of me.

In the first picture, the water is raging over the rocks, spilling down in a powerful waterfall. The second shows a more mellow, slower movement of a river flowing into its tributaries, as they join the unseen waters ahead.

The last photograph is the most interesting of the three. There the water doesn't seem to move at all. Covered by lily-pads, the lakes hides the hidden life beneath its surface.

Such are the stages of life: We are bursting with energy when young. We'll tumble over our own feet in our eagerness to pursue our dreams. Then, towards the middle years, we move more slowly. We branch off in many directions, yet move inexorably forward at a steady pace.

Finally, we may seem to stand still. But the wisdom that we've gained nurtures the life within. And though our outward actions may now be minimal, our very presence serves to feed others.

A little movement will produce unending ripples.