The Ripple Effect: Why Presence Outweighs Performance
Discovering the Heart of Impact—One Soul at a Time
“You’ve saved my life.” Dunya said. My mouth felt full of the stale air of the prison group room. Fifteen men and I sat in a circle on hard plastic chairs. The dirty walls were covered with inspirational posters, ripped at the corners. Sunlight squeezed herself through the heavy bars. Dunya, a quiet chap, sat with his hands in his lap and his eyes bore into mine. “Wow” I said. Nothing else seemed to fit.
His words had landed with a weight I can still feel. In that moment, I realised something profound: the greatest impact we can make isn’t always about reaching the masses. Sometimes, it’s about truly seeing just one person.
Chasing Scale vs. Honouring the Individual
For years, I measured my success by numbers—how many programs I could launch, how many people I could reach, how big the ripple could become. But Dunya’s quiet transformation reminded me that real change starts with presence, not performance.
An old African saying sums the moment up: “Each one, teach one.” Its roots are in resilience and hope, born from times when knowledge was shared in secret and every lesson mattered. I’ve seen this ripple effect in action—not just in prisons, but in every community I’ve served.
Dunya’s story is just one example.
Derrick, another participant, never saw himself as a leader. Yet being truly seen by others helped him step into his own power and begin leading change himself.
What I’ve Learned About Impact
Here’s what 15+ years of heart-led work have taught me:
Impact is not about scale, but about depth.
Presence is powerful. When we drop our assumptions and truly listen, we create space for transformation.
Every ripple starts with one drop. The smallest act of seeing and honouring another can change the course of a life.
An invitation to reflect:
Have you ever witnessed the power of presence in your own life or work?
Was there a moment when simply being there for someone made all the difference?
I’d love to hear your story—reply to this email or share your experience in the comments.
What’s Next
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes stories from my journey, including the lessons (and surprises) from launching the first cohort of the Impact Activator program.
If you’re curious about how to ground your own work in presence and create meaningful change—while building a sustainable income—I invite you to join me on a discovery call.
If this resonated with you, please consider subscribing or forwarding this letter to a friend who might benefit. Your support helps this community grow.
Love and Activation, MamaJ 💫
There’s something quietly powerful about showing up with sincerity and care, especially when it’s not about achieving something big, but about simply being with someone. <3