Across cultures, age and gender, we share a common desire to feel connected. To be a part of something, to align with other like-minded people, to share our experiences and to feel valued. For Candid Luminary and Marketing Partner, Amelia Veale, communication that connects, that unites communities and generates engagement is one of her core passions. Today she shares her passion for stories that unite and the inspiration for her piece "a waterfall begins with one drop".

Story telling is incredibly important to me. Stories can unite and inspire us, they help provide context and meaning, and they can entertain.  A well told story will draw you in, transport you and then leave you with a sense of inner satisfaction - it alters something inside you.

It is only fitting therefore, that my Candid quote "a waterfall begins with one drop" is drawn from an incredibly well told story, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. In this story, the main character PK, who is a white South African, is looking for permission to teach English to a group of black students, so that they can go on and teach other students in their community. The dialogue goes:

P.K.: How will they ever be included if they can't ever read or write English.

St. John: I quite agree with you, P.K. But at the end of the day, it's only about a dozen people you're talking about teaching. How much difference will that really make?

P.K.: A waterfall begins from only one drop of water, sir. Look what comes from that...

I find this dialogue incredible moving and stirring to my soul. The implications of this statement are enormous. The beautiful clarity of the potential for greatness in action.

The ripples from one small act, have the ability to spread far and wide.

I read The Power of One when I was about 12 years old. It changed something inside me and created a longing, a passion to create ripples. Fast forward some 20+ years and the shape of this longing is becoming clear to me. Not in one blinding dawning of understanding but through so many various experiences. Through the awesome melting pot of life moments, the clarity of the passion that drives me has been building.

The essence of this clarity for me is that nothing happens in isolation. No one person can have all the answers or can make all the difference. The people that make the biggest impact, that drive the greatest change, are those that inspire and motivate others to take action. They are the people who have such an incredible power to communicate their passion, that they unite others to share it.

Through my business, Narrative Marketing, I have created Be The Drop, a blog and soon to launch podcast, where I will interview various people who motivate, to discover how they are so effective in communicating their vision, whatever it might be, that it is shared and celebrated by others. Armed with this information, it is my belief that together we can make a difference and help drive positive outcomes for everyone. My clarity has come in the realisation that I want to help others to #BeTheDrop, to help spread positive communication that connects and together, create a waterfall!

For to me there is no truer sentiment of hope nor statement of collective power than “a waterfall begins with one drop”. I look back on my younger self and smile. I was innocent and naïve but I had good core values. Through my business and work with passionately motivated brands like Candid Jewellery, I want to make that young girl proud. I hope to make a difference and inspire others that they too, can #BeTheDrop