Inside this box are the sacred ripples that will soon be traveling out into the world. Perhaps I am mad, but I think this box is sacred.

The new Karaoke Machine came for the Mansion today, I had it delivered at my house so I can put it together before bringing it over to the Mansion. Three Karaoke music CD’s are arriving tomorrow – classics, country and show hits.

I’m breaking the news to the Mansion residents and staff tonight at our Friday Bingo game.

I’ve researched this machine carefully, and I believe it will be easy to put together and durable to use. I’m hoping Karaoke becomes a regular event at the Mansion, I have this gut feeling they will love it. I hope Joan makes it back to sing.

I hope to have it together by Monday. The official first concert is November 28th, in conjunction with Lo Ann Sanders, a charter member of the Army Of Good, and some of her friends.

On December 4, I start my weekly readings program, I am excited about that too, and am already plucking out reading ideas. This all puts me in mind of ripples.

I’m not sure why the Karaoke experiment has pulled me so much. I got an inkling today when Judy, a blog reader, send me a story she read about The Kabbalah, the mystical teaches of Judaism and a cherished source of wisdom for me.

I read the Kabbalah almost every night  before I go to sleep.

The Kabbalah preaches what the prophets call the “ripple effect” of thoughts and deeds. I first read this in the Kabbalah some years ago, but I forgot about it. There are so many words floating around the ether in our world it’s easy to forget even the most important ones.

Simply, the Kabbalah teaches that every word and thought has a ripple effect on the world, good and bad, love and hate. A kindness extended to a stranger, a loving word to a friend, an act of charity or empathy, an act of kindness, can changes lives. Good words and deeds can begin to repair the fabric of our broken world, making it a peaceful and more just place.

Hatred and lies also have a ripple effect, and also affect the wider world. Sometimes, it seems easier to hate than to love.

In a sense, this ideology has influenced my thoughts and deeds these past few years. I’ve worked hard to come to understand how important scale and perspective is, and how corrosive and dangerous money can be. I think money is a poison in many ways, as much as it governs the world.

Thus, small acts of kindness, not enormous ones.

After two years of experimentation, I chose small acts of great kindness as the theme for my work, and the work of the Army Of Good.

Love and care with limits, inside of set boundaries, with care and perspective. We don’t seek to do miracles, but to lighten the dark corners and fill the holes and offer comfort and some joy and dignity. We work on a small scale, as much as it might frustrate and anger others.

But I believe we accomplish big things.

In a curious way, this is how I see the Karaoke Machine, as a source of light and laughter, and also of voice for people who have become voiceless and invisible. When we stand up in front of others and lift our voice to the world and sing songs of happiness and love, we are, I think, sending out some powerful ripples into the world.

And again and again and again, the people left behind can raise their voices in laughter and song, anytime they wish. A small miracle, I think, with big ripples.

I hope these ripples are stronger and more powerful than hate. I think they are. Every time a Mansion resident gets up to sing, and lights up the Great Room, I can picture those ripples sailing out into the world.

And all for $200.