Even a small rock can create a very large ripple.
We’ve all been there. At the end of an exciting FFA event, after a long school day, a sports practice or a productive homework session, it is time to clean up. Sometimes, it feels a lot easier just to sit and wait for someone else to start the chain of events. Maybe you don’t want to stop discussing the answers to a test you may or may not have failed earlier that day, or if you are prepared enough for the CDE happening tomorrow. Either way, you are doing anything but cleaning up. But, enough is enough and, well, someone has to do it. “It might as well be me.”
Miraculously, as soon as the first chair is placed on the rack, two more members are picking up chairs. By the time you try to grab your third chair to fold, everyone is helping clean up. It only takes one person thinking, “It might as well be me,” to make a whole room of change.
We’ve also all been here: you’re sitting in the pasture by a pond, dropping rocks in the water. If you’re anything like me, you tried to skip a few rocks, but failed and resorted to just throwing them in. I’m not sure what ever compelled me to do this to pass the time, maybe I thought one of these days the rock will leap out of the water like a frog! But they never did. Instead, each time the rock created a ripple, little waves stretching out from a central point. You could even call it a ripple effect.
Just like the rock created a ripple in the pond, so does a small act, like being the first to start cleaning up. By saying, “It might as well be me,” you are choosing to start your own ripple effect. This is one powerful way to lead by example and make definite change.
A ripple effect doesn’t have to be from an action, it can come from how we treat others, like a kind word or soft smile. Our attitude creates a ripple effect more often than we realize. Unfortunately, bad attitudes are more contagious than good ones. Even if you aren’t in a good mood a smile on your face can go a long way to make yourself feel better. It won’t be long until the people around you start smiling too. I love the old saying, “Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching?”
Ripple effects happen regardless of if they are good or bad, on purpose or by happenstance. Other members are watching what you do, listening to what you say, and are affected by the ripples you create. Make an effort to create kind and helpful ripples, from picking up one chair,saying one encouraging word, or simply wearing a smile. It’s worth remembering that: Even a small rock can create a very large ripple.
Lillian Hulse
2025-2026 State President