# Energy Ripples

By [jer979](https://paragraph.com/@jer979-2) · 2025-08-27

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There’s a beautiful custom in Japan-or at least there was when I was there-that when the cleaning crew comes off the _Shinkansen_ bullet train, there’s an announcement that says

“Dear customers, we are honored to have had the opportunity to clean this train for your journey” or something like that.

Then, the cleaning crew bows to the customers (who are patiently waiting in a straight line) and the customers _bow_ to the cleaning crew.

I’ve never seen such dignity given to such typically “low status” jobs anywhere else.

But it made an impression on me.

So, I’ve started to go out of my way to express gratitude to bus drivers, movers, landscapers, floor cleaners, and clerks.

And it’s not a cursory “thank you,” but I take a moment to really think about how those people have _actually_ contributed to my life or the life of those about whom I care.

When you do that, you really begin to think about how we’re all interconnected and how, without them, much of what is considered “life” wouldn’t work as you might like it to.

And it’s not about me.

What it is about-and I can see this in the way they react-is how pushing some positive energy in their direction.

They feel, well, _seen_ and I can only imagine (or hope) how this ripples throughout their day and the people they touch.

I can’t change the world, but I can create ripple effects.

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*Originally published on [jer979](https://paragraph.com/@jer979-2/energy-ripples)*