eRipples: a free weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.51 [Monday, December 18, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When life is difficult
it acquires a higher value.
-Edward Abbey, written above the desert exhibit at the North Carolina
Zoological Park
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Meaning of Peace
There was once a king who offered a prize to the artist who would
paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king
looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked,
and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for
the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue
sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that
it was a perfect picture of peace.
The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and
bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which
lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming
waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush
growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built
her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat a
mother bird on her nest . . . a picture of perfect peace.
Which of the pictures won the prize? The king chose the second
picture. Do you know why?
"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in
the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That
is the real meaning of peace."
-unknown, submitted by: Angela DiVito, Central Michigan University
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Are you waiting for it to get easier? It probably will get easier at some point. It is definitely going to get more difficult at some other point. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and gently remind yourself that you CAN handle it. You can.
I believe in you!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, December 18, 2000
Monday, December 11, 2000
eRipples v2.50: Ripples of DE-STRESSING
eRipples: a free weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.50 [Monday, December 11, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stress is good and bad.
Good stress creates poets, keeps deadlines and motivates.
Bad stress is that which you endure when you cannot turn challenging
events and other frustrations into good stress.
-adapted from a submission by Michael C. Copeland Jr.
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An Everyday Survival Kit
1. Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.
2. Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible.
3. Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's.
4. Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday.
5, Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay.
6. Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can
accomplish anything.
7. Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family and friends.
8. Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday.
9. Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of
your blessings.
-unknown, submitted by several eRipples subscribers
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Many of us are facing STRESS this time of year and whether it comes
from final exams or end-of-year reports or holiday hosting it can be
ICKY! Remember that the right kind of stress in the right amounts
can be stimulating. Do yourself a favor and spend some time this
week thinking about your stress levels and plan some activities to
prevent or manage burnout. Take care of YOU!
Peace,
Paul
version 2.50 [Monday, December 11, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stress is good and bad.
Good stress creates poets, keeps deadlines and motivates.
Bad stress is that which you endure when you cannot turn challenging
events and other frustrations into good stress.
-adapted from a submission by Michael C. Copeland Jr.
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An Everyday Survival Kit
1. Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.
2. Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible.
3. Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's.
4. Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday.
5, Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay.
6. Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can
accomplish anything.
7. Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family and friends.
8. Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday.
9. Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of
your blessings.
-unknown, submitted by several eRipples subscribers
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Many of us are facing STRESS this time of year and whether it comes
from final exams or end-of-year reports or holiday hosting it can be
ICKY! Remember that the right kind of stress in the right amounts
can be stimulating. Do yourself a favor and spend some time this
week thinking about your stress levels and plan some activities to
prevent or manage burnout. Take care of YOU!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, December 4, 2000
eRipples v2.49: Ripples of LESS WORRIES!
eRipples: a free weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.49 [Monday, December 4, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles;
it empties today of its strength.
-unknown, submitted by Amy Sellers
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We lie in our beds hoping for enough sleep
to repeat the do-do of yesterday.
We are propelled from our beds into a busy life.
Yet the real succulence occurs in the gaps, the in-betweens,
the unexpected moments of luxury in our souls.
-Sark, submitted by Elizabeth Russell
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Okay, I'll admit it: I worry too much!
It is a nasty little habit that has so quietly crept into my daily
routine that I am sometimes more comfortable when I have something to
worry about than I am when I'm worry-free. Not something too big,
mind you. Something small enough to be manageable yet big enough to
keep me from completely relaxing.
My best friend sat me down last week and explained to me that while
some of my worries are "big picture" things that I need to be
thinking about, most of them are insignificant fluff. Or even worse:
I worry about things over which I have little or no control. "Let it
go," he said. "Let it go."
Of course he is right and of course it is easier to SAY than to DO.
But let's dive in this week, shall we, and try to worry less.
Peace,
Paul
version 2.49 [Monday, December 4, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles;
it empties today of its strength.
-unknown, submitted by Amy Sellers
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We lie in our beds hoping for enough sleep
to repeat the do-do of yesterday.
We are propelled from our beds into a busy life.
Yet the real succulence occurs in the gaps, the in-betweens,
the unexpected moments of luxury in our souls.
-Sark, submitted by Elizabeth Russell
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Okay, I'll admit it: I worry too much!
It is a nasty little habit that has so quietly crept into my daily
routine that I am sometimes more comfortable when I have something to
worry about than I am when I'm worry-free. Not something too big,
mind you. Something small enough to be manageable yet big enough to
keep me from completely relaxing.
My best friend sat me down last week and explained to me that while
some of my worries are "big picture" things that I need to be
thinking about, most of them are insignificant fluff. Or even worse:
I worry about things over which I have little or no control. "Let it
go," he said. "Let it go."
Of course he is right and of course it is easier to SAY than to DO.
But let's dive in this week, shall we, and try to worry less.
Peace,
Paul
Monday, November 27, 2000
eRipples v2.48: Ripples of AUTHENTICITY
eRipples: a weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.48 [Monday, November 27, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
-J.K. Rowling, submitted by Gina Matkin
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Your actions
speak
so loudly
that I
cannot hear
your words.
-Hindu Proverb, submitted by Jeff Sinna
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I believe that one of the greatest sources of stress in our lives
erupts from the shadows between who we WANT to be (who we SAY we are)
and who we REALLY are. Our insecurity that we are not quite what
people want/need us to be sometimes lead us to create "characters" to
meet the expectations of our colleagues, friends, family and
ourselves.
If those characters do not feel REAL to us, though, we start to
suspect we are fraudulent which then deepens our insecurity and leads
us to hide even more of our true selves! The cycle continues and
creates disharmony and stress in our souls and in our everyday lives.
Your challenge this week is to BREAK THE CYCLE in one of two ways:
1. If there is a behavior, attitude, or skill that you WANT to have
that you do NOT have, do something concrete this week to add it to
your tools for living.
2. If you (or others in your life) have created an unrealistic ideal
for your behavior, attitude or skillset, spend a few moments this
week adjusting those expectations and accepting for now that where
you are at is 100% okay!
Ultimately, it is the combination of these two actions that will
allow you to accomplish amazing feats while enjoying your present.
Peace,
Paul
version 2.48 [Monday, November 27, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
-J.K. Rowling, submitted by Gina Matkin
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Your actions
speak
so loudly
that I
cannot hear
your words.
-Hindu Proverb, submitted by Jeff Sinna
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I believe that one of the greatest sources of stress in our lives
erupts from the shadows between who we WANT to be (who we SAY we are)
and who we REALLY are. Our insecurity that we are not quite what
people want/need us to be sometimes lead us to create "characters" to
meet the expectations of our colleagues, friends, family and
ourselves.
If those characters do not feel REAL to us, though, we start to
suspect we are fraudulent which then deepens our insecurity and leads
us to hide even more of our true selves! The cycle continues and
creates disharmony and stress in our souls and in our everyday lives.
Your challenge this week is to BREAK THE CYCLE in one of two ways:
1. If there is a behavior, attitude, or skill that you WANT to have
that you do NOT have, do something concrete this week to add it to
your tools for living.
2. If you (or others in your life) have created an unrealistic ideal
for your behavior, attitude or skillset, spend a few moments this
week adjusting those expectations and accepting for now that where
you are at is 100% okay!
Ultimately, it is the combination of these two actions that will
allow you to accomplish amazing feats while enjoying your present.
Peace,
Paul
Monday, November 20, 2000
eRipples v2.47: Ripples of Gratitude
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.47 [Monday, November 20, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It is not easy being grateful all the time.
But it's when you feel least thankful
that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you.
-Oprah Winfrey, submitted to eRipples by Sean Duggan
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a effort.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
-original source unknown
Submitted by: "Bev Petska" <bevpetska@a...>
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Last week I asked for people to submit Thanksgiving-related quotes,
and many people responded with a BOUNTIFUL supply of quotes & poems.
You can find them ALL by clicking on the THANKSGIVING QUOTES file at
http://www.egroups.com/files/eRipples/
It reminded me that these Ripples are rapidly growing into powerful
waves because of a steady stream of awesome submissions. I therefore
begin this week and end this issue by saying THANK YOU to the many
readers who dig up inspiration to share with us, and THANK YOU to all
of you who continue to take 60 seconds every morning to receive and
create Ripples of all kinds!
Peace and Thanks,
Paul
version 2.47 [Monday, November 20, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It is not easy being grateful all the time.
But it's when you feel least thankful
that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you.
-Oprah Winfrey, submitted to eRipples by Sean Duggan
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a effort.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
-original source unknown
Submitted by: "Bev Petska" <bevpetska@a...>
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Last week I asked for people to submit Thanksgiving-related quotes,
and many people responded with a BOUNTIFUL supply of quotes & poems.
You can find them ALL by clicking on the THANKSGIVING QUOTES file at
http://www.egroups.com/files/eRipples/
It reminded me that these Ripples are rapidly growing into powerful
waves because of a steady stream of awesome submissions. I therefore
begin this week and end this issue by saying THANK YOU to the many
readers who dig up inspiration to share with us, and THANK YOU to all
of you who continue to take 60 seconds every morning to receive and
create Ripples of all kinds!
Peace and Thanks,
Paul
Monday, November 13, 2000
eRipples v2.46: Ripples of POTENTIAL
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.46 [Monday, November 13, 2000]
HELP! I need 2 things:
1. your best Thanksgiving-related quotes for next week's issue
2. your input as I create a list of inspirational magazines. Do you
subscribe to something that helps keep you fired up? Let me know the
name of the magazine, and I'll send everyone who submits a list of
all the titles that are suggested. Thanks! -ptw
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You're braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
Smarter than you think.
-Christopher Robin, submitted to eRipples by
Zackary Martin
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We are born into the world like a blank canvas.
And each person that crosses our path
takes up the brush and
makes their mark upon our surface.
So it is that we develop.
But we must realize,
there comes a day that
we must take up the brush
and finish the work.
For only we can determine
if we are to be just another painting
or a masterpiece.
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by
Leslie Shuler
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Do you have any idea how much possibility that is wrapped up inside
of you? Some say we are like a piece of fruit with many seeds of
possibilities. I believe we are much more like a seed with orchards
of potential waiting patiently for permission to take root and GROW!
I hope you'll take just a moment this week to think about how MUCH
you have inside of you!
Peace,
Paul
version 2.46 [Monday, November 13, 2000]
HELP! I need 2 things:
1. your best Thanksgiving-related quotes for next week's issue
2. your input as I create a list of inspirational magazines. Do you
subscribe to something that helps keep you fired up? Let me know the
name of the magazine, and I'll send everyone who submits a list of
all the titles that are suggested. Thanks! -ptw
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You're braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
Smarter than you think.
-Christopher Robin, submitted to eRipples by
Zackary Martin
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We are born into the world like a blank canvas.
And each person that crosses our path
takes up the brush and
makes their mark upon our surface.
So it is that we develop.
But we must realize,
there comes a day that
we must take up the brush
and finish the work.
For only we can determine
if we are to be just another painting
or a masterpiece.
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by
Leslie Shuler
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Do you have any idea how much possibility that is wrapped up inside
of you? Some say we are like a piece of fruit with many seeds of
possibilities. I believe we are much more like a seed with orchards
of potential waiting patiently for permission to take root and GROW!
I hope you'll take just a moment this week to think about how MUCH
you have inside of you!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, November 6, 2000
eRipples v2.45: Ripples of YOUR VOICE
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.45 [Monday, November 6, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There is a voice inside of you
that whispers all day long
"I feel that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong"
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend,
or wise man can decide,
Whats right for you, so listen to
The voice that speaks inside
-Shel Silverstien, submitted by: Scruff1
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Throughout history, it has been
the INACTION of those who could have acted;
the INDIFFERENCE of those who should have known better;
the SILENCE of the voice of justice when it mattered most;
that has made it possible for EVIL to triumph.
-Haile Selassie, submitted by Jim Cissell, Sr.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I know you are sick of all the commercials,
all the polls, all the media coverage,
the endless discussions and the mind numbing rhetoric.
But remember this: no vote = no whining!
Please use your head,
your heart, and
YOUR VOICE!
Peace,
Paul
version 2.45 [Monday, November 6, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There is a voice inside of you
that whispers all day long
"I feel that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong"
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend,
or wise man can decide,
Whats right for you, so listen to
The voice that speaks inside
-Shel Silverstien, submitted by: Scruff1
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Throughout history, it has been
the INACTION of those who could have acted;
the INDIFFERENCE of those who should have known better;
the SILENCE of the voice of justice when it mattered most;
that has made it possible for EVIL to triumph.
-Haile Selassie, submitted by Jim Cissell, Sr.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I know you are sick of all the commercials,
all the polls, all the media coverage,
the endless discussions and the mind numbing rhetoric.
But remember this: no vote = no whining!
Please use your head,
your heart, and
YOUR VOICE!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, October 30, 2000
eRipples v2.44: Ripples of BREATHING
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.44 [Monday, October 30, 2000]
FREE STUFF:
Would you like a list of awesome, inspirational websites?
Send me YOUR favorite links this week, and
I'll compile and send YOU a list of all the submissions I receive! -ptw
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Doing what you love should feel like breathing.
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by Christy Brewer
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Let everything
about you
breathe
the calm
and peace
of the soul.
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by aimee
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I have been seeking a way to "come down" from the high of a super
busy and exciting fall of many presentations in many cool places to
many amazing people. It gets me so pumped up that sometimes it is a
few days or even weeks before I can really relax.
I recently discovered a phenomenal relaxation technique I want to
share with you.
You have probably never heard of it.
It is quite revolutionary.
It is called breathing.
One breath.
And then another.
Perhaps a really deep one.
And then another one.
Ahhhhhhhh.
This week, your challenge is simple: breathe.
Peace,
Paul
version 2.44 [Monday, October 30, 2000]
FREE STUFF:
Would you like a list of awesome, inspirational websites?
Send me YOUR favorite links this week, and
I'll compile and send YOU a list of all the submissions I receive! -ptw
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Doing what you love should feel like breathing.
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by Christy Brewer
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Let everything
about you
breathe
the calm
and peace
of the soul.
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by aimee
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I have been seeking a way to "come down" from the high of a super
busy and exciting fall of many presentations in many cool places to
many amazing people. It gets me so pumped up that sometimes it is a
few days or even weeks before I can really relax.
I recently discovered a phenomenal relaxation technique I want to
share with you.
You have probably never heard of it.
It is quite revolutionary.
It is called breathing.
One breath.
And then another.
Perhaps a really deep one.
And then another one.
Ahhhhhhhh.
This week, your challenge is simple: breathe.
Peace,
Paul
Monday, October 23, 2000
eRipples v2.43: Ripples of YOUR PART
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.43 [Monday, October 23, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.
-Edwin Hubbel Chapin, submitted to eRipples by Jeana M Jacobson
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A sparrow lay in the middle of the road, her skinny legs sticking up
in the air.
Her companion flew over to see what was the matter.
"Whatever are you doing?" he asked.
The first sparrow replied, "I heard that the sky will fall today
and I am doing my part to help hold it up."
"Silly bird!" exclaimed the second sparrow.
"How could your puny little legs keep the sky from collapsing?"
"One does what one can,"
chirped the little sparrow.
"One does what one can."
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by Cathy Pabst
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We don't need you to change the world.
We don't need you to work yourself out of a life.
We don't need you to suffer endlessly as you toil in fields of
paperwork and meaningless routines.
We do need you, though, we do need you. It is your destiny to
contribute to the wholeness of life by listening for a quiet whisper
that will suggest to you a tiny but essential task that, if done with
every fiber of passion within your soul, will contribute to the
healing of us all.
Peace,
Paul
version 2.43 [Monday, October 23, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.
-Edwin Hubbel Chapin, submitted to eRipples by Jeana M Jacobson
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A sparrow lay in the middle of the road, her skinny legs sticking up
in the air.
Her companion flew over to see what was the matter.
"Whatever are you doing?" he asked.
The first sparrow replied, "I heard that the sky will fall today
and I am doing my part to help hold it up."
"Silly bird!" exclaimed the second sparrow.
"How could your puny little legs keep the sky from collapsing?"
"One does what one can,"
chirped the little sparrow.
"One does what one can."
-original source unknown, submitted to eRipples by Cathy Pabst
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We don't need you to change the world.
We don't need you to work yourself out of a life.
We don't need you to suffer endlessly as you toil in fields of
paperwork and meaningless routines.
We do need you, though, we do need you. It is your destiny to
contribute to the wholeness of life by listening for a quiet whisper
that will suggest to you a tiny but essential task that, if done with
every fiber of passion within your soul, will contribute to the
healing of us all.
Peace,
Paul
Monday, October 16, 2000
eRipples v2.42: Ripples of POTENTIAL
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.42 [Monday, October 16, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We know what we are,
but know not what we may be.
-William Shakespeare, submitted by Andrea Wiebe
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Listen
to your heart;
finding out who you are
is not simple.
It takes time
for the chatter to quiet down.
In the silence of "not doing,"
we begin to know
what we feel.
If we listen and hear
what is being offered,
then everything in life
can be our guide.
Listen.
-Sue Bender, "Plain and Simple" submitted to Ripples by Su
version 2.42 [Monday, October 16, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We know what we are,
but know not what we may be.
-William Shakespeare, submitted by Andrea Wiebe
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Listen
to your heart;
finding out who you are
is not simple.
It takes time
for the chatter to quiet down.
In the silence of "not doing,"
we begin to know
what we feel.
If we listen and hear
what is being offered,
then everything in life
can be our guide.
Listen.
-Sue Bender, "Plain and Simple" submitted to Ripples by Su
Monday, October 9, 2000
eRipples v2.41: Ripples of COMING OUT
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.40 [Monday, October 2, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go,
we take a little of each other everywhere.
-Tim McGraw, submitted by T. Pham
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Keep away from people
who belittle your ambitions,
small people always do that,
but the really great
make you feel that
you, too,
can become great.
- Mark Twain, submitted by Andrea Wiebe
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There are some people on this planet who, just by being in the same
room with them for a time, can infuse your spirit with energy and
passion and vitality. They are joyful, alive creatures and they seem
willing to share their soul! They are interested in recounting their
latest adventures, and they are equally intrigued about YOUR
adventures.
And I am also coming to accept that there are some people on this
planet who can suck the lifeforce out of a room simply by being
present. They are whiny, negative, critical, frustrated people. I
do my best to be compassionate or at least have pity for them, AND I
am trying to keep them at a distance. They do not feed my soul and
my attempts to feed theirs are often futile (picture this sign at the
zoo: Do not feed the bears! They are on a strict diet of whine and
negative thoughts).
May I ask you on this bright Monday morning: which camp are you in?
Choose your sides this week and hopefully you can spend some time and
energy enhancing your skills as an INFUSER an avoid being a DRAINER!
Paul
version 2.40 [Monday, October 2, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go,
we take a little of each other everywhere.
-Tim McGraw, submitted by T. Pham
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Keep away from people
who belittle your ambitions,
small people always do that,
but the really great
make you feel that
you, too,
can become great.
- Mark Twain, submitted by Andrea Wiebe
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There are some people on this planet who, just by being in the same
room with them for a time, can infuse your spirit with energy and
passion and vitality. They are joyful, alive creatures and they seem
willing to share their soul! They are interested in recounting their
latest adventures, and they are equally intrigued about YOUR
adventures.
And I am also coming to accept that there are some people on this
planet who can suck the lifeforce out of a room simply by being
present. They are whiny, negative, critical, frustrated people. I
do my best to be compassionate or at least have pity for them, AND I
am trying to keep them at a distance. They do not feed my soul and
my attempts to feed theirs are often futile (picture this sign at the
zoo: Do not feed the bears! They are on a strict diet of whine and
negative thoughts).
May I ask you on this bright Monday morning: which camp are you in?
Choose your sides this week and hopefully you can spend some time and
energy enhancing your skills as an INFUSER an avoid being a DRAINER!
Paul
Monday, October 2, 2000
eRipples v2.40: Ripples of PEOPLE
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.40 [Monday, October 2, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go,
we take a little of each other everywhere.
-Tim McGraw, submitted by T. Pham
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Keep away from people
who belittle your ambitions,
small people always do that,
but the really great
make you feel that
you, too,
can become great.
- Mark Twain, submitted by Andrea Wiebe
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There are some people on this planet who, just by being in the same
room with them for a time, can infuse your spirit with energy and
passion and vitality. They are joyful, alive creatures and they seem
willing to share their soul! They are interested in recounting their
latest adventures, and they are equally intrigued about YOUR
adventures.
And I am also coming to accept that there are some people on this
planet who can suck the lifeforce out of a room simply by being
present. They are whiny, negative, critical, frustrated people. I
do my best to be compassionate or at least have pity for them, AND I
am trying to keep them at a distance. They do not feed my soul and
my attempts to feed theirs are often futile (picture this sign at the
zoo: Do not feed the bears! They are on a strict diet of whine and
negative thoughts).
May I ask you on this bright Monday morning: which camp are you in?
Choose your sides this week and hopefully you can spend some time and
energy enhancing your skills as an INFUSER an avoid being a DRAINER!
Paul
version 2.40 [Monday, October 2, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go,
we take a little of each other everywhere.
-Tim McGraw, submitted by T. Pham
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Keep away from people
who belittle your ambitions,
small people always do that,
but the really great
make you feel that
you, too,
can become great.
- Mark Twain, submitted by Andrea Wiebe
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There are some people on this planet who, just by being in the same
room with them for a time, can infuse your spirit with energy and
passion and vitality. They are joyful, alive creatures and they seem
willing to share their soul! They are interested in recounting their
latest adventures, and they are equally intrigued about YOUR
adventures.
And I am also coming to accept that there are some people on this
planet who can suck the lifeforce out of a room simply by being
present. They are whiny, negative, critical, frustrated people. I
do my best to be compassionate or at least have pity for them, AND I
am trying to keep them at a distance. They do not feed my soul and
my attempts to feed theirs are often futile (picture this sign at the
zoo: Do not feed the bears! They are on a strict diet of whine and
negative thoughts).
May I ask you on this bright Monday morning: which camp are you in?
Choose your sides this week and hopefully you can spend some time and
energy enhancing your skills as an INFUSER an avoid being a DRAINER!
Paul
Monday, September 25, 2000
eRipples v2.39: Ripples of CHANGE
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.39 [Monday, September 25, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
-Mahatma Gandhi, submitted by Bev Petska
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Change means movement,
movement means friction,
friction means heat, and
heat means controversy.
-Saul Alinsky, submitted by Karen Hilberg
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Change happens. Yup, it is ironically the single CONSTANT that we
can rely on in our evolving world. And with all the good stuff that
comes from change, many of us still cling white-knuckled to "BUT WE
HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY!" And while there are many reasons for
our resistance, the most common seems to be "What if it doesn't turn
out like we want?" Well, I have a better question for you to ponder
this week:
WHAT IF IT DOES? What if you head into the big change you're about
to undertake with the possibility that it might be just what the
universe ordered for you. It is going to shake your world and on the
other side of the change is vast improvement, better understanding,
and the extraordinary feeling that you SURVIVED the change!
Go for it, go dive into your change, and notice that mother nature is
joining you with the changing colors!
Peace to you,
Paul
version 2.39 [Monday, September 25, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
-Mahatma Gandhi, submitted by Bev Petska
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Change means movement,
movement means friction,
friction means heat, and
heat means controversy.
-Saul Alinsky, submitted by Karen Hilberg
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Change happens. Yup, it is ironically the single CONSTANT that we
can rely on in our evolving world. And with all the good stuff that
comes from change, many of us still cling white-knuckled to "BUT WE
HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY!" And while there are many reasons for
our resistance, the most common seems to be "What if it doesn't turn
out like we want?" Well, I have a better question for you to ponder
this week:
WHAT IF IT DOES? What if you head into the big change you're about
to undertake with the possibility that it might be just what the
universe ordered for you. It is going to shake your world and on the
other side of the change is vast improvement, better understanding,
and the extraordinary feeling that you SURVIVED the change!
Go for it, go dive into your change, and notice that mother nature is
joining you with the changing colors!
Peace to you,
Paul
Monday, September 18, 2000
eRipples v2.38: Ripples of PLAYFULNESS
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.38 [Monday, September 18, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When the situation is desperate, it is too late to be serious.
Try playfulness.
-Edward Abbey, Leslie Stephany
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Playfulness is a kind of mood or attitude that you bring to your daily life.
It's a predisposition to be spontaneous, and have fun at whatever you're
doing. When you're playful, you find your attention being more fully engaged in
what you're doing. You're better able to "be here now."
A playful attitude infuses you with a sense of joy and positive emotions.
It creates a frame of mind in which you naturally and automatically find
more funny things going on around you.
I am convinced that cultivating your sense of playfulness is the key to
learning to lighten up in the midst of stress.
-Paul McGhee, submitted by Justine R. Hollingshead
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Well, I made it to the end of the early fall "crunchtime" which included
adventures on both coasts and over a dozen spots in between. I have an
empty calendar for the next three weeks, and I am going to follow these
Ripples and fill each day with PLAYFULNESS!
Long walks, spontaneous lunches, catching up on movies, and nap time everyday!
I hope you'll build in your own recess this week. You deserve it!
Peace to you,
ptw
version 2.38 [Monday, September 18, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When the situation is desperate, it is too late to be serious.
Try playfulness.
-Edward Abbey, Leslie Stephany
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Playfulness is a kind of mood or attitude that you bring to your daily life.
It's a predisposition to be spontaneous, and have fun at whatever you're
doing. When you're playful, you find your attention being more fully engaged in
what you're doing. You're better able to "be here now."
A playful attitude infuses you with a sense of joy and positive emotions.
It creates a frame of mind in which you naturally and automatically find
more funny things going on around you.
I am convinced that cultivating your sense of playfulness is the key to
learning to lighten up in the midst of stress.
-Paul McGhee, submitted by Justine R. Hollingshead
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Well, I made it to the end of the early fall "crunchtime" which included
adventures on both coasts and over a dozen spots in between. I have an
empty calendar for the next three weeks, and I am going to follow these
Ripples and fill each day with PLAYFULNESS!
Long walks, spontaneous lunches, catching up on movies, and nap time everyday!
I hope you'll build in your own recess this week. You deserve it!
Peace to you,
ptw
Monday, September 11, 2000
eRipples v2.37: Ripples of PERSISTENCE
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.37 [Monday, September 11, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Always know in your heart that you are far bigger
than anything that can happen to you.
-Dan Zadra, submitted by Laura BonDurant
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Don't Quit
Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn;
Don't quit over doubts and questions;
For there's something you may learn.
Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.
Don't quit when the hill is steepest,
For your goal is almost nigh;
Don't quit, for you're not a failure
Until you fail to try.
-Jill Wolf, submitted by Jeanne Ludjack
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I spent the weekend hanging out with some pretty remarkable leaders at
Rowan University in New Jersey, and some of our discussions included
exploring the frustrations of working with unmotivated people. It can be
sooooooo challenging when people aren't as fired up as we are. Perhaps,
though, there is a fabulous opportunity to test our spirit when we
encounter these deflated souls: let's see how motivated we really are!
Could it be that we need to be three times as excited, three times as
passionate, three times as persistent in our pursuits as we want those
around us to be? Give it a shot this week with 300% go-to-it-ness and see
what happens!
Peace to you,
Paul
version 2.37 [Monday, September 11, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Always know in your heart that you are far bigger
than anything that can happen to you.
-Dan Zadra, submitted by Laura BonDurant
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Don't Quit
Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn;
Don't quit over doubts and questions;
For there's something you may learn.
Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.
Don't quit when the hill is steepest,
For your goal is almost nigh;
Don't quit, for you're not a failure
Until you fail to try.
-Jill Wolf, submitted by Jeanne Ludjack
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I spent the weekend hanging out with some pretty remarkable leaders at
Rowan University in New Jersey, and some of our discussions included
exploring the frustrations of working with unmotivated people. It can be
sooooooo challenging when people aren't as fired up as we are. Perhaps,
though, there is a fabulous opportunity to test our spirit when we
encounter these deflated souls: let's see how motivated we really are!
Could it be that we need to be three times as excited, three times as
passionate, three times as persistent in our pursuits as we want those
around us to be? Give it a shot this week with 300% go-to-it-ness and see
what happens!
Peace to you,
Paul
Monday, September 4, 2000
eRipples v2.36: Ripples of LABOR
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.36 [Monday, September 4, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To love what you do and feel that it matters -
how could anything be more fun?"
-Katherine Graham, submitted by Bev Petska
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There were two men: one was 90 years old and the other 74 years old.
One day the 90 year old man was outside planting a new little tree.
The 74 year old man came over to the 90 year old man and said,
"Why in the world are you planting a tree at your age?
You'll never live to see it get big."
The 90 year old man said to the 74 year old man,
"We sure will miss you."
-original source unknown, submitted by Judy Glommen
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lots of labor has paid off: Visit our new website for The Ripples Project
and give us some feedback!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/
P.S. Make more ripples! Please forward an issue to your friends with a
personal note today!
version 2.36 [Monday, September 4, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To love what you do and feel that it matters -
how could anything be more fun?"
-Katherine Graham, submitted by Bev Petska
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There were two men: one was 90 years old and the other 74 years old.
One day the 90 year old man was outside planting a new little tree.
The 74 year old man came over to the 90 year old man and said,
"Why in the world are you planting a tree at your age?
You'll never live to see it get big."
The 90 year old man said to the 74 year old man,
"We sure will miss you."
-original source unknown, submitted by Judy Glommen
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lots of labor has paid off: Visit our new website for The Ripples Project
and give us some feedback!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/
P.S. Make more ripples! Please forward an issue to your friends with a
personal note today!
Monday, August 28, 2000
eRipples v2.35: Ripples of Challenging Interactions
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.35 [Monday, August 28, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To hold a grudge is to maintain an intense connection with someone you
might not want to have a relationship with in the first place.
-Francine Prose, submitted by Lin Hinds
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life is like a journey taken on a train
with a pair of passengers at each window pane.
I may sit beside you all the journey through,
or I may sit elsewhere, never knowing you.
But if fate should match us and sit us side-by-side--
let's be pleasant passengers, it's a nicer ride.
-original source unknown, submitted by: Lisa Sinclair
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In addition to hanging out with some awesome teams in California and
Michigan this week, I also helped kick off the new academic year with a
crew of school food service workers by leading a workshop on working with
difficult people. We discovered that there is another word for "difficult"
people: "different!" Sometimes, these folks are a challenge to us because
they think differently or have a different personality or perspective.
When you take the judgment out of your assessment and just assess them as
"different" than you and not difficult or mean, it might be easier to
listen to their viewpoint and not take their undesirable behavior
personally.
And as 4-year-old Kevin said to me one summer at the beach after hearing me
complain about a fellow lifeguard who was a complete jerk: "Paul, I think
you should be nice to Dan. I bet he doesn't have very many friends."
P.S. Make more ripples! Please forward an issue to your friends with a
personal note today!
version 2.35 [Monday, August 28, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To hold a grudge is to maintain an intense connection with someone you
might not want to have a relationship with in the first place.
-Francine Prose, submitted by Lin Hinds
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life is like a journey taken on a train
with a pair of passengers at each window pane.
I may sit beside you all the journey through,
or I may sit elsewhere, never knowing you.
But if fate should match us and sit us side-by-side--
let's be pleasant passengers, it's a nicer ride.
-original source unknown, submitted by: Lisa Sinclair
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In addition to hanging out with some awesome teams in California and
Michigan this week, I also helped kick off the new academic year with a
crew of school food service workers by leading a workshop on working with
difficult people. We discovered that there is another word for "difficult"
people: "different!" Sometimes, these folks are a challenge to us because
they think differently or have a different personality or perspective.
When you take the judgment out of your assessment and just assess them as
"different" than you and not difficult or mean, it might be easier to
listen to their viewpoint and not take their undesirable behavior
personally.
And as 4-year-old Kevin said to me one summer at the beach after hearing me
complain about a fellow lifeguard who was a complete jerk: "Paul, I think
you should be nice to Dan. I bet he doesn't have very many friends."
P.S. Make more ripples! Please forward an issue to your friends with a
personal note today!
Monday, August 21, 2000
eRipples v2.34: Ripples of REFRAMING
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.34 [Monday, August 21, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Stressed" spelled backwards is "Desserts!"
-original source unknown, submitted by Pam Su
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jack, bad things happen to good people for a reason.
This could be a defining moment in your life
and you have the chance to become one
of two types of people in this world:
A person who uses this as a crutch
or a person who grows stronger in spite of this.
-Karen L. Marsh, submitted by her son, Jack Marsh
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This weekend brought the opportunity to spend some time in Sarasota,
Florida with the staff and volunteers who help make the "USA Tennis
Pathways Programs" a success in Florida. Among other topics, we explored
the value of seeing the positive sides of the "yucky stuff" that inevitably
happens in our lives.
At the end of the presentation I was rushing out to catch a flight and of
course the only draw bridge I had to cross had to be "up" as I approached.
I was so frustrated to be stuck on a gorgeous waterway on the Gulf of
Mexico in the middle of a beautiful sunny day; I mean REALLY could things
get any more inconvenient? This delay was going to mean less time sitting
in the airport before departing for a 6 hour journey to California in the
cramped quarters of an airplane that was made for 100 people and seats 200.
Get it? I did too, luckily, and transformed the moment into a last chance
to marvel at the white sand and sparkling blue water.
So tell me friend, what draw bridge is helping YOU see the sunshine?
Peace,
Paul
version 2.34 [Monday, August 21, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Stressed" spelled backwards is "Desserts!"
-original source unknown, submitted by Pam Su
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jack, bad things happen to good people for a reason.
This could be a defining moment in your life
and you have the chance to become one
of two types of people in this world:
A person who uses this as a crutch
or a person who grows stronger in spite of this.
-Karen L. Marsh, submitted by her son, Jack Marsh
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This weekend brought the opportunity to spend some time in Sarasota,
Florida with the staff and volunteers who help make the "USA Tennis
Pathways Programs" a success in Florida. Among other topics, we explored
the value of seeing the positive sides of the "yucky stuff" that inevitably
happens in our lives.
At the end of the presentation I was rushing out to catch a flight and of
course the only draw bridge I had to cross had to be "up" as I approached.
I was so frustrated to be stuck on a gorgeous waterway on the Gulf of
Mexico in the middle of a beautiful sunny day; I mean REALLY could things
get any more inconvenient? This delay was going to mean less time sitting
in the airport before departing for a 6 hour journey to California in the
cramped quarters of an airplane that was made for 100 people and seats 200.
Get it? I did too, luckily, and transformed the moment into a last chance
to marvel at the white sand and sparkling blue water.
So tell me friend, what draw bridge is helping YOU see the sunshine?
Peace,
Paul
Monday, August 14, 2000
eRipples v2.33: Ripples of ADVENTURES
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.33 [Monday, August 14, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life's a Dance, you learn as you go.
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.
Don't worry about what you don't know.
Life's a Dance you learn as you go."
-John Michael Montgomerey, submitted by Kevin Serus
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
How do I find what life's about
Unless I venture farther out?
Something in me is not content,
Something affirms that I am meant
For more, and so I have to try
And see if somehow I can fly.
Going beyond the edge of things,
I may find out that I have wings,
Though they are of a different kind
Than birds, being mainly in the mind.
Whatever now I seem to be,
Yet more is to be found in me.
-James Dillet Freeman, submitted by Jeanne Ludjack
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I spent the weekend in Asheville, North Carolina where I was helping a crew
of new students kick off their first semester of college. To prepare for
this and a half-dozen other new student orientations I'll be doing over the
next few weeks, I asked a few hundred current and former students what
advice they would give first year students. Many of the responses
encouraged students to be adventurous and try new things. I think we all
need to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year with a commitment to
ADVENTURE! Do something daring this week, and it will create a ripple of
more adventures!
Peace,
PTW
version 2.33 [Monday, August 14, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life's a Dance, you learn as you go.
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.
Don't worry about what you don't know.
Life's a Dance you learn as you go."
-John Michael Montgomerey, submitted by Kevin Serus
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
How do I find what life's about
Unless I venture farther out?
Something in me is not content,
Something affirms that I am meant
For more, and so I have to try
And see if somehow I can fly.
Going beyond the edge of things,
I may find out that I have wings,
Though they are of a different kind
Than birds, being mainly in the mind.
Whatever now I seem to be,
Yet more is to be found in me.
-James Dillet Freeman, submitted by Jeanne Ludjack
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I spent the weekend in Asheville, North Carolina where I was helping a crew
of new students kick off their first semester of college. To prepare for
this and a half-dozen other new student orientations I'll be doing over the
next few weeks, I asked a few hundred current and former students what
advice they would give first year students. Many of the responses
encouraged students to be adventurous and try new things. I think we all
need to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year with a commitment to
ADVENTURE! Do something daring this week, and it will create a ripple of
more adventures!
Peace,
PTW
Monday, August 7, 2000
eRipples v2.32: Ripples of RICHES
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.32 [Monday, August 7, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give.
-Winston Churchill, submitted by Lin Hinds
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
How loudly we lament deprivations,
and how silent we stand
in the midst of riches
which no money could buy.
-found in the journal of Irving Vitse, a sewer worker from Mequon,
Wisconsin; submitted by his granddaughter, Bethany Kopp
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I have been enjoying this fabulous summer by transforming my indoor
aerobics sessions into outdoor jogging excursions. The far end of my
usual loop takes me through some of the nicer neighborhoods in Madison with
gigantic homes and magnificent lawns that sit right on a our cozy downtown
lake. Every time I jog through, I find myself longing for the wealth that
these homeowners have acquired to maintain such opulent abodes.
Then some new friends treated me to an evening walk through Olbrich
Gardens, a beautiful public space here in Madison that our community
maintains with donations of time and money. As we strolled through a half
dozen awesome gardens, each with a distinctive array of plants from around
the world, I remembered that for just a few minutes of my time and an
occasional donation I can enjoy a wealth of beauty without buying an
expensive tract of land and spending a ton of money on taxes, upkeep, etc.
I can be rich right now! Woohoo!
I hope you can notice the nice stuff that is all around you this week! -ptw
version 2.32 [Monday, August 7, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give.
-Winston Churchill, submitted by Lin Hinds
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
How loudly we lament deprivations,
and how silent we stand
in the midst of riches
which no money could buy.
-found in the journal of Irving Vitse, a sewer worker from Mequon,
Wisconsin; submitted by his granddaughter, Bethany Kopp
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I have been enjoying this fabulous summer by transforming my indoor
aerobics sessions into outdoor jogging excursions. The far end of my
usual loop takes me through some of the nicer neighborhoods in Madison with
gigantic homes and magnificent lawns that sit right on a our cozy downtown
lake. Every time I jog through, I find myself longing for the wealth that
these homeowners have acquired to maintain such opulent abodes.
Then some new friends treated me to an evening walk through Olbrich
Gardens, a beautiful public space here in Madison that our community
maintains with donations of time and money. As we strolled through a half
dozen awesome gardens, each with a distinctive array of plants from around
the world, I remembered that for just a few minutes of my time and an
occasional donation I can enjoy a wealth of beauty without buying an
expensive tract of land and spending a ton of money on taxes, upkeep, etc.
I can be rich right now! Woohoo!
I hope you can notice the nice stuff that is all around you this week! -ptw
Monday, July 31, 2000
eRipples v2.31: Ripples of PERSPECTIVE
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.31 [Monday, July 31, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two men look out through the same bars;
one sees mud, and one the stars.
-original source: Frederick Langbridge, submitted by Andrea
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Three people were at work on a construction site.
All three were doing the same job,
but when asked what his job was, the answers varied:
"Breaking rocks," the first replied
"Earning my living" the second said.
"Helping build a cathedral," the third responded.
-original source: Peter Schultz, submitted by Lucia Patritto
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I had a wonderful treat when I visited my good friends in Minnesota this
weekend. In honor of favorite son Charles Schulz, the creator of
"Peanuts," the city of St. Paul commissioned 89 Snoopy statuettes and
invited artists to decorate them.
It was fascinating to drive around the neighborhoods and business districts
and enjoy the many titles and interpretations that evolved from the same
basic fiberglass structure. "Comic Relief" had hundreds of comic strips
pasted over the figurine, "Love Snoopy" was covered in hearts, while "Joy
to the World" included Snoopy holding a string of figures representing
people from around the world. My personal favorite, "Snoopy-Reflecting Us
All" used hundreds of mirror chips to create a dazzling "glitter dog."
It was gazing into this statue that I recognized the immense power of
perspective. The spirit of Snoopy had a distinctive impact on all these
artists, compounded by the fact that each of these interpretations was
received differently by the thousands of locals and guests who are visiting
the display this summer. Same lovable dog, a zillion different reactions.
I hope you can spend a minute this week considering the immense power of
your perspective.
p.s. Long Live Snoopy!
version 2.31 [Monday, July 31, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two men look out through the same bars;
one sees mud, and one the stars.
-original source: Frederick Langbridge, submitted by Andrea
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Three people were at work on a construction site.
All three were doing the same job,
but when asked what his job was, the answers varied:
"Breaking rocks," the first replied
"Earning my living" the second said.
"Helping build a cathedral," the third responded.
-original source: Peter Schultz, submitted by Lucia Patritto
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I had a wonderful treat when I visited my good friends in Minnesota this
weekend. In honor of favorite son Charles Schulz, the creator of
"Peanuts," the city of St. Paul commissioned 89 Snoopy statuettes and
invited artists to decorate them.
It was fascinating to drive around the neighborhoods and business districts
and enjoy the many titles and interpretations that evolved from the same
basic fiberglass structure. "Comic Relief" had hundreds of comic strips
pasted over the figurine, "Love Snoopy" was covered in hearts, while "Joy
to the World" included Snoopy holding a string of figures representing
people from around the world. My personal favorite, "Snoopy-Reflecting Us
All" used hundreds of mirror chips to create a dazzling "glitter dog."
It was gazing into this statue that I recognized the immense power of
perspective. The spirit of Snoopy had a distinctive impact on all these
artists, compounded by the fact that each of these interpretations was
received differently by the thousands of locals and guests who are visiting
the display this summer. Same lovable dog, a zillion different reactions.
I hope you can spend a minute this week considering the immense power of
your perspective.
p.s. Long Live Snoopy!
Monday, July 24, 2000
eRipples v2.30: Ripples of LIGHT
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.30 [Monday, July 24, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We all shine with our own small light,
together we blaze like the sun."
-original source unknown, submitted by Amy Schmitting
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light from within.
-original source: Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, submitted by Ann Millonig (one of
the FIRST subscribers to eRipples....and still reading and submitting!)
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Among the best parts of this work are the interactions I have with people
from different parts of the country with different points of view. As I
pondered the above passages on light, it reminds me of the many helpers I
encounter that spend an enormous amount of energy giving and giving so that
many other lights can shine brighter. While I find their work noble and
vital to our universe, I am concerned that many of us don't tend to our own
lights enough. When we are so focused on nourishing others, it is easy to
forget that without proper care OUR lights can be dimmed or extinguished
with exhaustion, fatigue, and burnout.
Last week I had some fun hanging out in St. Louis with the American School
Food Service Association (and welcome to the many new subscribers from
ASFSA!) and we explored the importance ot taking care of our own light as a
necessary means to helping others shine brightly.
I dare you to do something MAGNIFICENT this week: nourish your own light
with a special treat of some kind (buy a fun book, take a 30 minute walk at
sunset, call an old friend, or buy a candle that smells good and admire its
light!).
Peace to you. All of you!
Paul
version 2.30 [Monday, July 24, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We all shine with our own small light,
together we blaze like the sun."
-original source unknown, submitted by Amy Schmitting
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light from within.
-original source: Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, submitted by Ann Millonig (one of
the FIRST subscribers to eRipples....and still reading and submitting!)
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Among the best parts of this work are the interactions I have with people
from different parts of the country with different points of view. As I
pondered the above passages on light, it reminds me of the many helpers I
encounter that spend an enormous amount of energy giving and giving so that
many other lights can shine brighter. While I find their work noble and
vital to our universe, I am concerned that many of us don't tend to our own
lights enough. When we are so focused on nourishing others, it is easy to
forget that without proper care OUR lights can be dimmed or extinguished
with exhaustion, fatigue, and burnout.
Last week I had some fun hanging out in St. Louis with the American School
Food Service Association (and welcome to the many new subscribers from
ASFSA!) and we explored the importance ot taking care of our own light as a
necessary means to helping others shine brightly.
I dare you to do something MAGNIFICENT this week: nourish your own light
with a special treat of some kind (buy a fun book, take a 30 minute walk at
sunset, call an old friend, or buy a candle that smells good and admire its
light!).
Peace to you. All of you!
Paul
Monday, July 17, 2000
eRipples v2.29: Ripples of YOUTH
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.29 [Monday, July 17, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty.
Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
-original source: Henry Ford, submitted by Ginny Dodson
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Laugh.
Play with abandon.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Practice wellness.
Do what you love.
Live as if it is all there is.
-original source: M.A. Hershey, submitted by Susan Dorscheid
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
[This "Guest Ponder" is written by my friend Joe Schlidt]
Last Sunday was our 12th wedding anniversary, and despite the fact that we
were vacationing in northern Wisconsin and despite the fact that we have
three young children who each have their own timetable, we made a mad dash
for church. We were so grateful to arrive on time because a couple was
recognized for their 50th wedding anniversary. The priest read a special
blessing:
Forever Young
May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young.
After mass, I asked the priest for a copy since we were also celebrating
our anniversary. I also wanted to know the source, although I guessed it
was an old Irish blessing or had some other religious tie.
"It's Jewish," the priest said. "Actually it's Dylan - Bob Dylan."
I was wrong about the source, but I have pondered the words many times over
the last few days because I think in these busy times we sometimes forget
how to stay forever young.
version 2.29 [Monday, July 17, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty.
Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
-original source: Henry Ford, submitted by Ginny Dodson
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Laugh.
Play with abandon.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Practice wellness.
Do what you love.
Live as if it is all there is.
-original source: M.A. Hershey, submitted by Susan Dorscheid
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
[This "Guest Ponder" is written by my friend Joe Schlidt]
Last Sunday was our 12th wedding anniversary, and despite the fact that we
were vacationing in northern Wisconsin and despite the fact that we have
three young children who each have their own timetable, we made a mad dash
for church. We were so grateful to arrive on time because a couple was
recognized for their 50th wedding anniversary. The priest read a special
blessing:
Forever Young
May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young.
After mass, I asked the priest for a copy since we were also celebrating
our anniversary. I also wanted to know the source, although I guessed it
was an old Irish blessing or had some other religious tie.
"It's Jewish," the priest said. "Actually it's Dylan - Bob Dylan."
I was wrong about the source, but I have pondered the words many times over
the last few days because I think in these busy times we sometimes forget
how to stay forever young.
Monday, July 10, 2000
eRipples v2.28: Ripples of LESS & MORE!
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.28 [Monday, July 10, 2000]
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Fear less, hope more,
Eat less, chew more,
Whine less, breathe more,
Hate less, love more,
And all good things are yours.
-Swedish proverb, submitted by patty crowley
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
--A True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
At least once a year, I try to go through my children's toys and sort out
what they have outgrown or no longer play with. I prefer to do this while
they are not around, but that was not to be the case this time. As I sat on
his bedroom floor in a pile of toys, my four year old, Brandon, walked into
his room and politely asked what I was doing with HIS toys. I explained to
him that there are some kids in the world that don't have any toys at all.
He was horrified. With amazing maturity for his 4 years, Brandon helped me
pack up the toys and cart them away to a donation site.
I was so proud of him that I decided to take him to the store and get him a
special toy. As we were walking down the aisles, Brandon got this
thoughtful look on his face and preceded to tell me that all kids should
have NEW toys too. So, instead of bringing home the water slide that he had
been asking for since February, we returned to the donation site and he
lovingly placed it in the drop off box.
Although Brandon didn't understand why I had tears in my eyes as we drove
home, I was deeply touched by a little boy who truly understands what it is to give.
-written and submitted by Kim Clist
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sometimes less is more. Ponder it. Act on it. Live it.
Paul
version 2.28 [Monday, July 10, 2000]
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Fear less, hope more,
Eat less, chew more,
Whine less, breathe more,
Hate less, love more,
And all good things are yours.
-Swedish proverb, submitted by patty crowley
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
--A True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
At least once a year, I try to go through my children's toys and sort out
what they have outgrown or no longer play with. I prefer to do this while
they are not around, but that was not to be the case this time. As I sat on
his bedroom floor in a pile of toys, my four year old, Brandon, walked into
his room and politely asked what I was doing with HIS toys. I explained to
him that there are some kids in the world that don't have any toys at all.
He was horrified. With amazing maturity for his 4 years, Brandon helped me
pack up the toys and cart them away to a donation site.
I was so proud of him that I decided to take him to the store and get him a
special toy. As we were walking down the aisles, Brandon got this
thoughtful look on his face and preceded to tell me that all kids should
have NEW toys too. So, instead of bringing home the water slide that he had
been asking for since February, we returned to the donation site and he
lovingly placed it in the drop off box.
Although Brandon didn't understand why I had tears in my eyes as we drove
home, I was deeply touched by a little boy who truly understands what it is to give.
-written and submitted by Kim Clist
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sometimes less is more. Ponder it. Act on it. Live it.
Paul
Monday, July 3, 2000
eRipples v2.27: Ripples of INTERDEPENDENCE
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.27 [Monday, July 3, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Get it into your head. Everyone who crosses our path has a message for us.
Otherwise they would have taken another path, or left earlier or later.
-original source: James Redfield
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
--A True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
Last week I lost a very dear friend.
My elderly neighbor passed away while I accompanied him on his way to the
ICU after a heart attack. The next day while watching the movie "Till There
was You," a particular scene caught my attention: a male was explaining to
his date that he is selfish. One way that he chose to explain his
selfishness was by saying that he doesn't know his neighbors. He claimed
that his time was too precious to spend even a few minutes a day chatting
with a neighbor.
Many of my own friends could not understand why I planned to attend my
neighbor's funeral. I was amazed to find that so many people live in a
bubble. I cannot imagine living right next door to a person and not even
knowing their name! Why deprive yourself of a beautiful friendship and a
chance to see the world through another persons eyes?
I hope others take the time to reach out to their neighbors and others.
Even a kind gesture to someone in passing will enlighten at least two lives.
-written and submitted by Allison Hunter
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As we celebrate our independence this week, I am reminded that there is
something even better than independence: INTERDEPENDENCE is maintaining
our independence while recognizing that we are still dependent upon others.
Even as our country stands in good economic times (for most) and a
superpower on the planet, we remain seriously affected by the oil
production in other countries as well as the incredible amount of goods and
services we buy and sell outside our borders.
As individuals, we need to celebrate our own independence while pondering
the people in our lives who have helped us along the way!
Happy 4th of July!
Paul
version 2.27 [Monday, July 3, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Get it into your head. Everyone who crosses our path has a message for us.
Otherwise they would have taken another path, or left earlier or later.
-original source: James Redfield
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
--A True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
Last week I lost a very dear friend.
My elderly neighbor passed away while I accompanied him on his way to the
ICU after a heart attack. The next day while watching the movie "Till There
was You," a particular scene caught my attention: a male was explaining to
his date that he is selfish. One way that he chose to explain his
selfishness was by saying that he doesn't know his neighbors. He claimed
that his time was too precious to spend even a few minutes a day chatting
with a neighbor.
Many of my own friends could not understand why I planned to attend my
neighbor's funeral. I was amazed to find that so many people live in a
bubble. I cannot imagine living right next door to a person and not even
knowing their name! Why deprive yourself of a beautiful friendship and a
chance to see the world through another persons eyes?
I hope others take the time to reach out to their neighbors and others.
Even a kind gesture to someone in passing will enlighten at least two lives.
-written and submitted by Allison Hunter
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As we celebrate our independence this week, I am reminded that there is
something even better than independence: INTERDEPENDENCE is maintaining
our independence while recognizing that we are still dependent upon others.
Even as our country stands in good economic times (for most) and a
superpower on the planet, we remain seriously affected by the oil
production in other countries as well as the incredible amount of goods and
services we buy and sell outside our borders.
As individuals, we need to celebrate our own independence while pondering
the people in our lives who have helped us along the way!
Happy 4th of July!
Paul
Monday, June 26, 2000
eRipples v2.26: Ripples of FUN
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.26 [Monday, June 26, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I never did a day's work in my life.
It was all fun.
-Thomas Edison, submitted by Karyn Sneath
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
[before you read this week's ponder, I need you to ponder this: submit a
quote today for eRipples!]
Another week of travels found me hanging out for a few days at the
Wisconsin 4H & Youth Leadership Conference and then bipping down to help
kick off a high school leadership summit hosted by University of Central
Florida. Both events were extremely successful by combining a healthy dose
of educational opportunities with ample amounts of FUN! It isn't the same
as having recess in between the lectures.......the truth is that we learn
some of our most valuable lessons while we are on the playground!
I continued MY education this week by spending a few extra days in Florida
having some fun of my own: I played among the dolphins along the
intercoastal waterway and experienced a magnificent performance of Cirque
de Soleil. The dolphins reminded me of the pure joy in simply splashing
around in the water. Watching hundreds of people ranging from around the
world squeal with delight at the phenomenal music, athletic prowess and
incredible artistry of the Cirque de Soleil performers reinforced the
notion that sharing common joys is much more powerful than all the
differences we have.
I recommend that everyone pursue an advanced degree in FUN this week!
-Paul
version 2.26 [Monday, June 26, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I never did a day's work in my life.
It was all fun.
-Thomas Edison, submitted by Karyn Sneath
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
[before you read this week's ponder, I need you to ponder this: submit a
quote today for eRipples!]
Another week of travels found me hanging out for a few days at the
Wisconsin 4H & Youth Leadership Conference and then bipping down to help
kick off a high school leadership summit hosted by University of Central
Florida. Both events were extremely successful by combining a healthy dose
of educational opportunities with ample amounts of FUN! It isn't the same
as having recess in between the lectures.......the truth is that we learn
some of our most valuable lessons while we are on the playground!
I continued MY education this week by spending a few extra days in Florida
having some fun of my own: I played among the dolphins along the
intercoastal waterway and experienced a magnificent performance of Cirque
de Soleil. The dolphins reminded me of the pure joy in simply splashing
around in the water. Watching hundreds of people ranging from around the
world squeal with delight at the phenomenal music, athletic prowess and
incredible artistry of the Cirque de Soleil performers reinforced the
notion that sharing common joys is much more powerful than all the
differences we have.
I recommend that everyone pursue an advanced degree in FUN this week!
-Paul
Monday, June 19, 2000
eRipples v2.25: Ripples of IMPERFECTION
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.25 [Monday, June 19, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
original source unknown, submitted by Maureen Colburn
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We are all imperfect.
What we need to achieve is the courage to accept imperfection. This is
one of the most encouraging concepts, and yet one of the hardest to achieve
in our society. There isn't a perfect human being in the world, yet
everyone is demanding it of themselves and others. We set ourselves up for
disappointment and frustrations because of this impossible ideal of
perfection. Improvement, yes. Perfection, no.
In our society we are taught to be ashamed of mistakes. We should instead
learn to be excited about mistakes as opportunities to learn. It is much
easier to recognize and take responsibility for a mistake when it is seen
as a learning opportunity rather than something bad. If we see mistakes as
bad we tend to feel inadequate and discouraged and to become defensive,
evasive, judgmental, and critical. On the other hand, when mistakes are
seen as opportunities to learn, recognizing them will be seem like an
exciting venture. "What can I learn from this mistake".
-submitted by: Margaret Sweeney, original source:
one of Margaret's co-workers
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In addition to spending three days with an awesome group of adult educators
in Bozeman, Montana, I also spent a couple of days this week with a very
fun bunch of school administrators from Racine, Wisconsin. Both groups
spent a bit of time discussing role models, and upon my return home from
the hectic week I plopped down in front of the TV and clicked upon a
documentary about one of my role models, John Denver. It was exciting to
learn about his path from the son of an Air Force pilot to a hit singer.
It was also quite disturbing to hear about his shadow side and I went to
bed thoroughly frustrated with his actions toward his wife and children as
well as the inconsistencies between his idealized songs and his imperfect
life.
I woke up the next morning remembering a definition that I had shared both
in Bozeman and Racine: a role model is somone who has SOMETHING you
admire, not necessarily EVERYTHING! I suppose it would be grand to believe
in these flawless heros who have affected our society. The danger is that
those pedestals make them seem so much removed from us "regular" folks.
Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Eleanor
Roosevelt all had something in common besides being heroes of mine. They
were HUMAN! They made errors of judgment at times and that does not have
to detract from their incredible achievements!
Spend some time this week being more patient with your imperfection. You
are in good company!
Paul
version 2.25 [Monday, June 19, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
original source unknown, submitted by Maureen Colburn
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We are all imperfect.
What we need to achieve is the courage to accept imperfection. This is
one of the most encouraging concepts, and yet one of the hardest to achieve
in our society. There isn't a perfect human being in the world, yet
everyone is demanding it of themselves and others. We set ourselves up for
disappointment and frustrations because of this impossible ideal of
perfection. Improvement, yes. Perfection, no.
In our society we are taught to be ashamed of mistakes. We should instead
learn to be excited about mistakes as opportunities to learn. It is much
easier to recognize and take responsibility for a mistake when it is seen
as a learning opportunity rather than something bad. If we see mistakes as
bad we tend to feel inadequate and discouraged and to become defensive,
evasive, judgmental, and critical. On the other hand, when mistakes are
seen as opportunities to learn, recognizing them will be seem like an
exciting venture. "What can I learn from this mistake".
-submitted by: Margaret Sweeney, original source:
one of Margaret's co-workers
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In addition to spending three days with an awesome group of adult educators
in Bozeman, Montana, I also spent a couple of days this week with a very
fun bunch of school administrators from Racine, Wisconsin. Both groups
spent a bit of time discussing role models, and upon my return home from
the hectic week I plopped down in front of the TV and clicked upon a
documentary about one of my role models, John Denver. It was exciting to
learn about his path from the son of an Air Force pilot to a hit singer.
It was also quite disturbing to hear about his shadow side and I went to
bed thoroughly frustrated with his actions toward his wife and children as
well as the inconsistencies between his idealized songs and his imperfect
life.
I woke up the next morning remembering a definition that I had shared both
in Bozeman and Racine: a role model is somone who has SOMETHING you
admire, not necessarily EVERYTHING! I suppose it would be grand to believe
in these flawless heros who have affected our society. The danger is that
those pedestals make them seem so much removed from us "regular" folks.
Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Eleanor
Roosevelt all had something in common besides being heroes of mine. They
were HUMAN! They made errors of judgment at times and that does not have
to detract from their incredible achievements!
Spend some time this week being more patient with your imperfection. You
are in good company!
Paul
Monday, June 12, 2000
eRipples v2.24: Ripples of BIG & SMALL!
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
from Paul and The Ripples Project
version 2.24 [Monday, June 12, 2000]
see bottom for subscription information
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Live like an oak tree with a mosquito's life span.
-original source: written on the menu at the Cateye Cafe in Bozeman, Montana
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I arrived Saturday for my first trip to the awesome state of Montana where
I am giving some presentations at Montana State University in Bozeman this
week. I was still in awe at the huge mountains and the gigantic size of
this state when I walked in to the visitors' center and discovered how
small the world really is.
The helpful man behind the counter turned out to be a long-time eRipples
subscriber!
In addition to helping me find some great spots to eat and outlining some
sightseeing options, he reminded me that no matter how large the world
seems, there is always a friend out there waiting to help you in some
meaningful way.
Keep your eyes open this week! At some point on this big planet you are
going to find yourself in a strange situation when a friend will suddenly
appear to help you out. You may not recognize the person at first (you may
know her/him from a long, long, long time ago), but the assistance will
still be valuable--and it will remind you how small this place is after all!
I'm sending peace to you,
Paul
from Paul and The Ripples Project
version 2.24 [Monday, June 12, 2000]
see bottom for subscription information
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Live like an oak tree with a mosquito's life span.
-original source: written on the menu at the Cateye Cafe in Bozeman, Montana
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I arrived Saturday for my first trip to the awesome state of Montana where
I am giving some presentations at Montana State University in Bozeman this
week. I was still in awe at the huge mountains and the gigantic size of
this state when I walked in to the visitors' center and discovered how
small the world really is.
The helpful man behind the counter turned out to be a long-time eRipples
subscriber!
In addition to helping me find some great spots to eat and outlining some
sightseeing options, he reminded me that no matter how large the world
seems, there is always a friend out there waiting to help you in some
meaningful way.
Keep your eyes open this week! At some point on this big planet you are
going to find yourself in a strange situation when a friend will suddenly
appear to help you out. You may not recognize the person at first (you may
know her/him from a long, long, long time ago), but the assistance will
still be valuable--and it will remind you how small this place is after all!
I'm sending peace to you,
Paul
Monday, June 5, 2000
eRipples v2.23: Ripples of WORDS!
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.23 [Monday, June 5, 2000]
see bottom for subscription information
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When you speak a word, you are planting it.
Whether you speak words of life, love, peace, joy and blessings,
or words of profanity and cursing, you will reap what you sow.
-original source: Alfonzo King Surrett, Jr., submitted by Linda deVeer
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Did is a word of achievement,
Won't is a word of retreat,
Might is a word of bereavement,
Can't is a word of defeat,
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is word of each hour,
Will is a word of beauty,
Can is a word of power.
-original source unknown, submitted by Natasha Sorias
MOUNTAIN ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer" - God
For a list of humorous billboards from God, see "The.God.Billboards" at:
http://www.egroups.com/files/eRipples/Inspirational+Mountains/
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
What words have you been holding back? Is there is someone in your life
that needs to hear some praise (or criticism)? Perhaps this week you
should take some time to communicate those words.
And while you are at it, if there are some words YOU need to hear.....you
do not have to wait for someone ELSE to say them. Write yourself a card or
send yourself an email and say what YOU need to hear!
Peace to you,
Paul
version 2.23 [Monday, June 5, 2000]
see bottom for subscription information
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When you speak a word, you are planting it.
Whether you speak words of life, love, peace, joy and blessings,
or words of profanity and cursing, you will reap what you sow.
-original source: Alfonzo King Surrett, Jr., submitted by Linda deVeer
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Did is a word of achievement,
Won't is a word of retreat,
Might is a word of bereavement,
Can't is a word of defeat,
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is word of each hour,
Will is a word of beauty,
Can is a word of power.
-original source unknown, submitted by Natasha Sorias
MOUNTAIN ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer" - God
For a list of humorous billboards from God, see "The.God.Billboards" at:
http://www.egroups.com/files/eRipples/Inspirational+Mountains/
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
What words have you been holding back? Is there is someone in your life
that needs to hear some praise (or criticism)? Perhaps this week you
should take some time to communicate those words.
And while you are at it, if there are some words YOU need to hear.....you
do not have to wait for someone ELSE to say them. Write yourself a card or
send yourself an email and say what YOU need to hear!
Peace to you,
Paul
Wednesday, May 31, 2000
eRipples v2.22: Ripples of FRIENDSHIP!
eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration from
Paul Wesselmann and The Ripples Project
version 2.22 [Tuesday, May 30, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A friend is the person who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
-original source unknown, submitted by Ben Olds
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A Oath of Friendship
When you are sad,.............I will dry your tears.
When you are scared,..........I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried,.........I will give you hope.
When you are confused,........I will help you cope.
And when you are lost,........And can't see the light.
I shall be your beacon........Shining ever so bright
This is my oath...............I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask?..............Because you're my friend.
-original source unknown, submitted by Joanna Messer
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Many of you know how important the mountains are to me, so you will not be
surprised that I returned to the Colorado Rockies for some R&R over the
holiday weekend. I visited some of the same magnificent spots that I've
described in these emails before but this trip they all looked different.
How could the paths I have retraced so many times have been so different?
Because this time I traveled them with my best friend.
As much as I have appreciated my solo time in the mountains, there is
nothing quite like having a trusted buddy to enrich the experience. It
reminded me that all of my favorite adventures have been improved by either
having a friend with me, or connecting with them soon after to recreate the
events with words and images.
I hope you can spend some time with a special friend or twp this week.
Sitting in a cafe, chatting on the phone, or simply an extra email to
remind us all of the power of friends.
Peace to you,
Paul
Paul Wesselmann and The Ripples Project
version 2.22 [Tuesday, May 30, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A friend is the person who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
-original source unknown, submitted by Ben Olds
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A Oath of Friendship
When you are sad,.............I will dry your tears.
When you are scared,..........I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried,.........I will give you hope.
When you are confused,........I will help you cope.
And when you are lost,........And can't see the light.
I shall be your beacon........Shining ever so bright
This is my oath...............I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask?..............Because you're my friend.
-original source unknown, submitted by Joanna Messer
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Many of you know how important the mountains are to me, so you will not be
surprised that I returned to the Colorado Rockies for some R&R over the
holiday weekend. I visited some of the same magnificent spots that I've
described in these emails before but this trip they all looked different.
How could the paths I have retraced so many times have been so different?
Because this time I traveled them with my best friend.
As much as I have appreciated my solo time in the mountains, there is
nothing quite like having a trusted buddy to enrich the experience. It
reminded me that all of my favorite adventures have been improved by either
having a friend with me, or connecting with them soon after to recreate the
events with words and images.
I hope you can spend some time with a special friend or twp this week.
Sitting in a cafe, chatting on the phone, or simply an extra email to
remind us all of the power of friends.
Peace to you,
Paul
Monday, May 22, 2000
eRipples v2.21: Ripples of INGREDIENTS!
eRipples: version 2.21 [Monday, May 22, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human,
enough hope to make you happy.
-original source unknown
submitted by Alana McComb
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
THANKS FOR THE CAKE
A little boy is telling his Grandma how EVERYTHING is going wrong.
School, family problems, health problems, etc.
Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake.
She asks the child if he would like a
snack, which of course he does.
"Here. Have some cooking oil."
"Yuck" says the boy
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Grandma"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves.
But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully
delicious cake!
Life works the same way.
Many times we wonder why we have to go through such bad and difficult times.
But when these things are all in the right order, they always work for good!
We just have to trust that they will all make something wonderful!"
-original source unknown [revised for eRipples]
submitted by Janna Nuytens
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Thank you for the patience many of you have shown as we explore our new
home on eGroups.com. I know that some of you are worried about the
consequences of hosting eRipples on a large site that could potentially
abuse our account information (emails, etc.). I have done EXTENSIVE
checking and feel confident that they are as protective of our account
information as I am.
Also, I closed the poll about making our profiles available to other
members of eRipples and 157 people voted online which represent almost 5%
of our 3200 subscribers(this does not count the 10 or so people who replied
to their emails with votes. They missed the directions about going to the
poll site!). 56% said "no thanks" so that information will not be opened
up at this time.
Enough business for one issue......lets talk about INGREDIENTS. What
"ingredient" are you for other people in your life? What do your friends,
family, colleagues, associates, and others who encounter you feel like you
add to their daily existence? Might some of them say you were "bitter" or
"bland" or "difficult to mix in with the rest"? Perhaps you need to work
on your sweetness!
I am sure there are plenty of people in your life who would say you are a
great addition to their lives, and here is your challenge for this week:
Can you take those positive attributes and increase the amount you offer to
the people around you in your life?
Have a great tasting week!
Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human,
enough hope to make you happy.
-original source unknown
submitted by Alana McComb
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
THANKS FOR THE CAKE
A little boy is telling his Grandma how EVERYTHING is going wrong.
School, family problems, health problems, etc.
Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake.
She asks the child if he would like a
snack, which of course he does.
"Here. Have some cooking oil."
"Yuck" says the boy
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Grandma"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves.
But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully
delicious cake!
Life works the same way.
Many times we wonder why we have to go through such bad and difficult times.
But when these things are all in the right order, they always work for good!
We just have to trust that they will all make something wonderful!"
-original source unknown [revised for eRipples]
submitted by Janna Nuytens
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Thank you for the patience many of you have shown as we explore our new
home on eGroups.com. I know that some of you are worried about the
consequences of hosting eRipples on a large site that could potentially
abuse our account information (emails, etc.). I have done EXTENSIVE
checking and feel confident that they are as protective of our account
information as I am.
Also, I closed the poll about making our profiles available to other
members of eRipples and 157 people voted online which represent almost 5%
of our 3200 subscribers(this does not count the 10 or so people who replied
to their emails with votes. They missed the directions about going to the
poll site!). 56% said "no thanks" so that information will not be opened
up at this time.
Enough business for one issue......lets talk about INGREDIENTS. What
"ingredient" are you for other people in your life? What do your friends,
family, colleagues, associates, and others who encounter you feel like you
add to their daily existence? Might some of them say you were "bitter" or
"bland" or "difficult to mix in with the rest"? Perhaps you need to work
on your sweetness!
I am sure there are plenty of people in your life who would say you are a
great addition to their lives, and here is your challenge for this week:
Can you take those positive attributes and increase the amount you offer to
the people around you in your life?
Have a great tasting week!
Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, May 15, 2000
eRipples v2.20: Ripples of BIG CHANGES!
eRipples: version 2.20 [Monday, May 15, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
original source: Margaret Mead
submitted by: A Crew of Amazing High School Students
from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The future is not someplace we are going,
but one we are creating.
The paths to it are not found but made,
and the activity of making them
changes both the maker
and the destination.
original source: Schaar
submitted by: Chris Tenold
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Our little eRipples are about to make a big splash! This week you will get
a message announcing that eRipples is moving to its new home! You will
continue to receive this splash of inspiration every Monday morning, AND
you will now have access to a searchable archive of all previous issues.
In addition, if you get a password from eGroups.com (the company who will
now be hosting eRipples) you will have access to a database of over 800
inspirational quotes, as well as a list of inspirational stories that are
too long for eRipples but still really good! You'll also be able to
temporarily suspend your subscription while you're on vacation! This is
all FREE and I have checked out eGroups.com CAREFULLY to be sure they will
not abuse our emailboxes! They have STRICT policies about spam (junk
email) so we should be SAFE!
This transition may be a little bumpy....you will get an extra message this
week and hopefully then we will be set....but I appreciate your patience
with any errors!
Peace to you,
Paul
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
original source: Margaret Mead
submitted by: A Crew of Amazing High School Students
from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The future is not someplace we are going,
but one we are creating.
The paths to it are not found but made,
and the activity of making them
changes both the maker
and the destination.
original source: Schaar
submitted by: Chris Tenold
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Our little eRipples are about to make a big splash! This week you will get
a message announcing that eRipples is moving to its new home! You will
continue to receive this splash of inspiration every Monday morning, AND
you will now have access to a searchable archive of all previous issues.
In addition, if you get a password from eGroups.com (the company who will
now be hosting eRipples) you will have access to a database of over 800
inspirational quotes, as well as a list of inspirational stories that are
too long for eRipples but still really good! You'll also be able to
temporarily suspend your subscription while you're on vacation! This is
all FREE and I have checked out eGroups.com CAREFULLY to be sure they will
not abuse our emailboxes! They have STRICT policies about spam (junk
email) so we should be SAFE!
This transition may be a little bumpy....you will get an extra message this
week and hopefully then we will be set....but I appreciate your patience
with any errors!
Peace to you,
Paul
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, May 8, 2000
eRipples v2.19: Ripples of GUARDIANS
eRipples: version 2.19 [Monday, May 8, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it
and whispers, "Grow, grow."
original source: The Talmud
submitted by: Jodi Cohen
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
If this was easier, ponder this: The people who make a difference in your
life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the
most awards. They are the ones that care.
original source unknown
submitted by: Jeff Kuepper
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Last week I shared with you my trip to the middle of Nowhere. Well, I
simply must tell you about the Somewhere I visited this weekend. After a
fabulous Thursday with 600 high school students and an invigorating Friday
with the northwest regional conference of the Association for Work site
Health Promotion, I spent the weekend exploring the magnificent natural
wonders and unique urban fabric of Portland, Oregon. A leisurely drive up
the Columbia River allowed me to enjoy a series of breathtaking waterfalls,
all of them causing an adrenaline rush, and one with a drop of over 700
feet! I also spent a few hours in a tranquil Japanese Garden and a lively
afternoon enjoying the sites, sounds and tastes (oh, the tastes) of
Portland.
The city seems to have done a remarkable job of creating a dense population
center (complete with skyscrapers, shopping centers, suburbs and a
fantastic mass transit system) that blends harmoniously with the unique
natural surroundings (dense temperate forests, snow-covered mountains, and
majestic waterways), In a particularly stunning view of the city from a
park that sits above this city, the tall buildings crop up beyond the
towering Pines as though they were working together to keep this community
in balance with the planet.
The scene sparked some curiosity in me: Could the things in life that
often appear to CONFLICT with each other actually work TOGETHER to make
things more peaceful? I hope you can spend some time this week exploring
ways to encourage harmony and balance in your everyday life.
Peace to you,
Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it
and whispers, "Grow, grow."
original source: The Talmud
submitted by: Jodi Cohen
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
If this was easier, ponder this: The people who make a difference in your
life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the
most awards. They are the ones that care.
original source unknown
submitted by: Jeff Kuepper
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Last week I shared with you my trip to the middle of Nowhere. Well, I
simply must tell you about the Somewhere I visited this weekend. After a
fabulous Thursday with 600 high school students and an invigorating Friday
with the northwest regional conference of the Association for Work site
Health Promotion, I spent the weekend exploring the magnificent natural
wonders and unique urban fabric of Portland, Oregon. A leisurely drive up
the Columbia River allowed me to enjoy a series of breathtaking waterfalls,
all of them causing an adrenaline rush, and one with a drop of over 700
feet! I also spent a few hours in a tranquil Japanese Garden and a lively
afternoon enjoying the sites, sounds and tastes (oh, the tastes) of
Portland.
The city seems to have done a remarkable job of creating a dense population
center (complete with skyscrapers, shopping centers, suburbs and a
fantastic mass transit system) that blends harmoniously with the unique
natural surroundings (dense temperate forests, snow-covered mountains, and
majestic waterways), In a particularly stunning view of the city from a
park that sits above this city, the tall buildings crop up beyond the
towering Pines as though they were working together to keep this community
in balance with the planet.
The scene sparked some curiosity in me: Could the things in life that
often appear to CONFLICT with each other actually work TOGETHER to make
things more peaceful? I hope you can spend some time this week exploring
ways to encourage harmony and balance in your everyday life.
Peace to you,
Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, May 1, 2000
eRipples v2.18: Ripples of WISDOM
eRipples: version 2.18 [Monday, May 1, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Silences make the real conversations between friends.
Not the saying, but the never needing to say is what counts.
original source: Margaret Lee Runbeck
submitted by: Erin Art
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yoda's Jedi Wisdom*
1. Let go of your anger.
2. Let the Force flow through you.
3. Don't center on your anxiety.
4. Do or do not. There is no try.
5. Let go your conscious self. Act on instinct.
6. Keep your concentration on the here and now.
7. Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.
8. Don't give in to hate.
9. Beware the Dark Side. Once you start down the dark path, forever
will it dominate your destiny.
10. Judge me not by my size.
*Taken from a pizza hut place mat summer 1999
submitted by Gordon Nesbitt
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I returned today from a few days in the middle of Nowhere (go to nowhere,
turn left and travel 2 more miles!) with a bunch of long-time eRipples
subscribers and a few new ones as well. The purpose of the retreat was to
help a staff of 80 form a cohesive work team. The primary goal was to have
fun! We scheduled a few structured sessions to facilitate some discussions
and individual thinking, but mostly we played: we told stories, we created
skits, we ate lots of chocolate, and we walked along narrow paths through a
dense forest to find a distinctive waterfall. We talked, and we listened.
In the end, what mattered most is that we played.
Is there someone you want to be closer with? Whether it is a co-worker, a
family member, or a friend, may I suggest spending some time simply
playing? And if you want to make it extra special, spend the time in the
middle of Nowhere.
If you don't believe me, I have 80 good friends who will back me up.
Peace to you,
Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Silences make the real conversations between friends.
Not the saying, but the never needing to say is what counts.
original source: Margaret Lee Runbeck
submitted by: Erin Art
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yoda's Jedi Wisdom*
1. Let go of your anger.
2. Let the Force flow through you.
3. Don't center on your anxiety.
4. Do or do not. There is no try.
5. Let go your conscious self. Act on instinct.
6. Keep your concentration on the here and now.
7. Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.
8. Don't give in to hate.
9. Beware the Dark Side. Once you start down the dark path, forever
will it dominate your destiny.
10. Judge me not by my size.
*Taken from a pizza hut place mat summer 1999
submitted by Gordon Nesbitt
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I returned today from a few days in the middle of Nowhere (go to nowhere,
turn left and travel 2 more miles!) with a bunch of long-time eRipples
subscribers and a few new ones as well. The purpose of the retreat was to
help a staff of 80 form a cohesive work team. The primary goal was to have
fun! We scheduled a few structured sessions to facilitate some discussions
and individual thinking, but mostly we played: we told stories, we created
skits, we ate lots of chocolate, and we walked along narrow paths through a
dense forest to find a distinctive waterfall. We talked, and we listened.
In the end, what mattered most is that we played.
Is there someone you want to be closer with? Whether it is a co-worker, a
family member, or a friend, may I suggest spending some time simply
playing? And if you want to make it extra special, spend the time in the
middle of Nowhere.
If you don't believe me, I have 80 good friends who will back me up.
Peace to you,
Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, April 24, 2000
eRipples v2.17: Ripples of LIMITS
eRipples: version 2.17 [Monday, April 24, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We teach best what we most need to learn.
-Richard Bach
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I found my limit!
In all the joy and adventures of my recent travels and with all of the fun
and excitement of being around some truly remarkable souls, I was spending
a bit more time telling OTHERS about the importance of self care skills
than I was UTILIZING self care skills. It caught up with me as I was
"invited" to spend a week in bed feeling YUCKY.
Thankfully I am back on the mend, beginning to feel like my old self again.
HOWEVER, I have been reminded that we each have LIMITS and no matter how
valiantly the effort, my body, mind, and spirit will do what they must to
ensure that I occasionally spend some time taking care of myself.
Do yourself a favor and spend the time on YOU before your body steps in to
slow you down!
Happy Easter!
-Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We teach best what we most need to learn.
-Richard Bach
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I found my limit!
In all the joy and adventures of my recent travels and with all of the fun
and excitement of being around some truly remarkable souls, I was spending
a bit more time telling OTHERS about the importance of self care skills
than I was UTILIZING self care skills. It caught up with me as I was
"invited" to spend a week in bed feeling YUCKY.
Thankfully I am back on the mend, beginning to feel like my old self again.
HOWEVER, I have been reminded that we each have LIMITS and no matter how
valiantly the effort, my body, mind, and spirit will do what they must to
ensure that I occasionally spend some time taking care of myself.
Do yourself a favor and spend the time on YOU before your body steps in to
slow you down!
Happy Easter!
-Paul
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, April 17, 2000
eRipples v2.16: Ripples of POSSIBILITIES!
eRipples: version 2.16 [Monday, April 17, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Some people have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to,
when all they need is one reason why they can.
-Willis Whitney
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You are the person who has to decide
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside;
You are the person who makes up your mind
Whether you'll lead or will linger behind.
Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar.
Or just be contented to stay where you are.
-Edgar A. Guest
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am wrapping up a string of adventures that included meeting United Way
folks in Indiana, college students and administrators in New York,
tournament directors in Florida, and an amazing group of recreational
sports folks from around the country at their annual meeting in Rhode
Island. I was reminded that these different groups share something in
common with ALL OF US: occasional bouts of insecurity that prevent us from
pursuing our dreams.
I dare you to take another step this week that moves you closer to a dream.
You can do it, you know.
Yes. You can!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Some people have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to,
when all they need is one reason why they can.
-Willis Whitney
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You are the person who has to decide
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside;
You are the person who makes up your mind
Whether you'll lead or will linger behind.
Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar.
Or just be contented to stay where you are.
-Edgar A. Guest
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am wrapping up a string of adventures that included meeting United Way
folks in Indiana, college students and administrators in New York,
tournament directors in Florida, and an amazing group of recreational
sports folks from around the country at their annual meeting in Rhode
Island. I was reminded that these different groups share something in
common with ALL OF US: occasional bouts of insecurity that prevent us from
pursuing our dreams.
I dare you to take another step this week that moves you closer to a dream.
You can do it, you know.
Yes. You can!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, April 10, 2000
eRipples v2.15: Ripples of COURAGE
eRipples: version 2.15 [Monday, April 10, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quite voice at the end of the day saying:
I will try again tomorrow.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As we enter into final stretch of tax time, most of us have spent some time
and energy grumbling about the complexity of the paperwork, the amount of
money we have to pay, and how incompetent the government seems to be at
spending our money. Ponder this:
1. There are lots more tax complainers than there are voters.
Voting makes a difference. Complaining doesn't.
2. If you paid a tone of $$ in taxes, then you probably had a good year
financially.
Celebrate that, don't whine about it!
Happy taxing!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quite voice at the end of the day saying:
I will try again tomorrow.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As we enter into final stretch of tax time, most of us have spent some time
and energy grumbling about the complexity of the paperwork, the amount of
money we have to pay, and how incompetent the government seems to be at
spending our money. Ponder this:
1. There are lots more tax complainers than there are voters.
Voting makes a difference. Complaining doesn't.
2. If you paid a tone of $$ in taxes, then you probably had a good year
financially.
Celebrate that, don't whine about it!
Happy taxing!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, April 3, 2000
eRipples v2.14: Ripples of KIND!
eRipples: version 2.14 [Monday, April 3, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.
original source: Mother Theresa
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This is the true joy in life,
the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one;
being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of
ailments and grievances,
complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community,
and as long as I live,
it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die,
for the harder I work,
the more I live.
- George Bernard Shaw
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A Fun True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
Monday mornings are always stressful for my business and today was no
different. While driving down the freeway this morning, my mind was on the
dozen or more projects that needed my attention and I wasn't paying very
close attention to the cars around me.
A school bus in the lane next to me suddenly caught my attention when I
realized the back window was full of children smiling and waving at me. I
couldn't help but smile and wave back. The kids were thrilled -- and it
reminded me of my own childhood days riding a school bus doing the exact
same thing. I remembered the joy of getting that return wave and how much
fun it was to be a child.
My stress melted away in the brief moments we connected and I can not thank
those children enough for their gifts of a simple smile and a wave.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.
original source: Mother Theresa
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This is the true joy in life,
the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one;
being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of
ailments and grievances,
complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community,
and as long as I live,
it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die,
for the harder I work,
the more I live.
- George Bernard Shaw
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A Fun True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
Monday mornings are always stressful for my business and today was no
different. While driving down the freeway this morning, my mind was on the
dozen or more projects that needed my attention and I wasn't paying very
close attention to the cars around me.
A school bus in the lane next to me suddenly caught my attention when I
realized the back window was full of children smiling and waving at me. I
couldn't help but smile and wave back. The kids were thrilled -- and it
reminded me of my own childhood days riding a school bus doing the exact
same thing. I remembered the joy of getting that return wave and how much
fun it was to be a child.
My stress melted away in the brief moments we connected and I can not thank
those children enough for their gifts of a simple smile and a wave.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
©2000 The Ripples Project
Monday, March 27, 2000
eRipples v2.13: Ripples of SPRING!
eRipples: version 2.13 [Monday, March 27, 2000]
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.
original source: Kahlil Gibran
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You were with me this afternoon in Florida
as I walked along the beach and thought about
how many Ripples we are creating with this project.
I arrived back at the hotel to find the above quote
among the recent submissions and it reinforced
the notion that we ripple makers must take time for US!
As a few of us are watching the Oscars and planning our programs
for tomorrow, I want you to consider this: would you get a nomination for
Best Self Care Skills? If not, consider changing your performance!
Happy Spring, and Happy Oscars!
©2000 The Ripples Project
SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your address,
please visit http://www.happyflying.com/ and click on the GOODIES tab.
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.
original source: Kahlil Gibran
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You were with me this afternoon in Florida
as I walked along the beach and thought about
how many Ripples we are creating with this project.
I arrived back at the hotel to find the above quote
among the recent submissions and it reinforced
the notion that we ripple makers must take time for US!
As a few of us are watching the Oscars and planning our programs
for tomorrow, I want you to consider this: would you get a nomination for
Best Self Care Skills? If not, consider changing your performance!
Happy Spring, and Happy Oscars!
©2000 The Ripples Project
SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your address,
please visit http://www.happyflying.com/ and click on the GOODIES tab.
Monday, March 20, 2000
eRipples v2.12: Ripples of YES!
eRipples: a free weekly dose of inspiration
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.12 [Monday, March 20, 2000]
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You have to live your life so the pain is worth it.
-original source: Kimberly Madeira
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sometimes you meet yourself on the road
before you have a chance to
learn the appropriate greeting.
Faced with your own possibilities,
the hard part is knowing a speech is not required.
All you have to say is YES.
-original source: Pearl Cleage "What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day"
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Another True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
I recently discovered the true value of living while my fraternity brothers
and I were helping out at a neighborhood home for mentally and emotionally
handicapped kids. After a day of playing with the kids was wrapping up, one of the older kids
began to cry. I asked him what was wrong. He responded, "because you're
leaving." It was at that moment that I realized in only a few hours I had made a huge
impact on some one's life. Since that day, I have found it much easier to
smile.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am so happy that this world is filled with people who believe in the
power of creating ripples. This weekly splash of inspiration is becoming a
testament to the power of individual impact. Our planet of 6 billion
individuals has an urgent need for us to understand that EACH ONE OF US
COUNTS!
Happy Spring!
p.s. Have you come across a cool quote or poem that has NOT been bouncing
around the internet? Let us have a look, and maybe we'll use it in an
upcoming issue of eRipples!
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.12 [Monday, March 20, 2000]
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You have to live your life so the pain is worth it.
-original source: Kimberly Madeira
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sometimes you meet yourself on the road
before you have a chance to
learn the appropriate greeting.
Faced with your own possibilities,
the hard part is knowing a speech is not required.
All you have to say is YES.
-original source: Pearl Cleage "What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day"
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Another True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
I recently discovered the true value of living while my fraternity brothers
and I were helping out at a neighborhood home for mentally and emotionally
handicapped kids. After a day of playing with the kids was wrapping up, one of the older kids
began to cry. I asked him what was wrong. He responded, "because you're
leaving." It was at that moment that I realized in only a few hours I had made a huge
impact on some one's life. Since that day, I have found it much easier to
smile.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am so happy that this world is filled with people who believe in the
power of creating ripples. This weekly splash of inspiration is becoming a
testament to the power of individual impact. Our planet of 6 billion
individuals has an urgent need for us to understand that EACH ONE OF US
COUNTS!
Happy Spring!
p.s. Have you come across a cool quote or poem that has NOT been bouncing
around the internet? Let us have a look, and maybe we'll use it in an
upcoming issue of eRipples!
Monday, March 13, 2000
eRipples v2.11
eRipples: a free weekly dose of inspiration
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.11 [Monday, March 13, 2000]
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.
-original source: Mother Theresa
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Weight of Nothing.
"Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coal mouse asked a wild dove.
"Nothing more than nothing," was the answer.
"In that case I must tell a marvelous story," the coal mouse said.
"I sat on the branch of a Fir, close to its trunk, when it began to snow,
not heavily, not in a raging blizzard, no, just like in a dream, without
any violence. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the
snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch, their number was
exactly 3,741,952. When the next snowflake dropped onto the branch -
nothing more than nothing, as you say - the branch broke off."
The dove, since Noah's time an authority on the matter, thought about the
story for awhile and finally said to herself; "Perhaps there is only one
person's voice lacking for peace to come about in the world."
-original source unknown
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Another True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
It was ten days before Christmas, and the mall was jam-packed with busy
shoppers. I was window-shopping; I didn't really have a lot of money to
spend at the time. Everywhere I looked, people seemed frustrated and tired.
It made me really sad that so many people who were doing such a wonderful
thing -- buying gifts for their loved ones -- were so caught up in the
frenzy, and had lost sight of what I believe is the true Christmas spirit.
As I entered a store, a certain stuffed bear caught my eye, and I got an
idea. I bought two of them, walked out to the food court, and approached a
father with his young boy. I asked the man, "Sir, may I give this bear to
your son?" He looked at me, puzzled, and said, "Uh, sure." I handed it to
the adorable blonde boy and said, "Merry Christmas!" The father asked me if
I owed him anything, but I just smiled and said again, "Merry Christmas!"
As I turned around to walk away, the love and joy and warmth that I felt
overwhelmed me, and I started to cry.
I kept the other bear, and I named him Charity. He's a constant reminder to
me of how easy it is to surprise someone with kindness, and how wonderful
it can make me feel.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Ripples Project: A Foundation to Inspire Small Waves of Kind Acts
What do you think? A small and steadily growing number of people are
helping to develop this project, and our next step is to finalize its
mission. I think we are getting closer, but we wanted your feedback.
eRipples now DEPENDS on a steady stream of inspiration from readers. We
have updated the format to only highlight the original source of the
quotes, since so many people wish to remain anonymous. The "SMALL WAVES"
section will be reserved for true stories submitted by eRipples readers who
were part of giving or receiving kindness. Can you spend just a moment
thinking of a "ripple" you've created or received? SEND IT TODAY so we can
inspire even more kind acts!
Peace to you!
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.11 [Monday, March 13, 2000]
©2000 The Ripples Project
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.
-original source: Mother Theresa
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Weight of Nothing.
"Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coal mouse asked a wild dove.
"Nothing more than nothing," was the answer.
"In that case I must tell a marvelous story," the coal mouse said.
"I sat on the branch of a Fir, close to its trunk, when it began to snow,
not heavily, not in a raging blizzard, no, just like in a dream, without
any violence. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the
snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch, their number was
exactly 3,741,952. When the next snowflake dropped onto the branch -
nothing more than nothing, as you say - the branch broke off."
The dove, since Noah's time an authority on the matter, thought about the
story for awhile and finally said to herself; "Perhaps there is only one
person's voice lacking for peace to come about in the world."
-original source unknown
SMALL WAVES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Another True Story by an eRipples Subscriber
It was ten days before Christmas, and the mall was jam-packed with busy
shoppers. I was window-shopping; I didn't really have a lot of money to
spend at the time. Everywhere I looked, people seemed frustrated and tired.
It made me really sad that so many people who were doing such a wonderful
thing -- buying gifts for their loved ones -- were so caught up in the
frenzy, and had lost sight of what I believe is the true Christmas spirit.
As I entered a store, a certain stuffed bear caught my eye, and I got an
idea. I bought two of them, walked out to the food court, and approached a
father with his young boy. I asked the man, "Sir, may I give this bear to
your son?" He looked at me, puzzled, and said, "Uh, sure." I handed it to
the adorable blonde boy and said, "Merry Christmas!" The father asked me if
I owed him anything, but I just smiled and said again, "Merry Christmas!"
As I turned around to walk away, the love and joy and warmth that I felt
overwhelmed me, and I started to cry.
I kept the other bear, and I named him Charity. He's a constant reminder to
me of how easy it is to surprise someone with kindness, and how wonderful
it can make me feel.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Ripples Project: A Foundation to Inspire Small Waves of Kind Acts
What do you think? A small and steadily growing number of people are
helping to develop this project, and our next step is to finalize its
mission. I think we are getting closer, but we wanted your feedback.
eRipples now DEPENDS on a steady stream of inspiration from readers. We
have updated the format to only highlight the original source of the
quotes, since so many people wish to remain anonymous. The "SMALL WAVES"
section will be reserved for true stories submitted by eRipples readers who
were part of giving or receiving kindness. Can you spend just a moment
thinking of a "ripple" you've created or received? SEND IT TODAY so we can
inspire even more kind acts!
Peace to you!
Monday, March 6, 2000
eRipples v2.10: Ripples of PURPOSE!
eRipples: a free weekly dose of inspiration
version 2.10 [Monday, March 6, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To the world you may be just one person,
but to one person you may be the world!
original source: unknown
submitted by: so many Ripples Subscribers I just had to include it!
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You may not see it now," said the Princess of Pure Reason,
looking knowingly at Milo's puzzled face,
"but whatever we learn has a purpose and
whatever we do affects everything and everyone else,
if even in the tiniest way.
Why, when a housefly flaps his wings, a breeze goes round the world;
when a speck of dust falls to the ground, the entire planet weighs a little
more;
and when you stamp your foot, the earth moves slightly off its course.
Whenever you laugh, gladness spreads like the ripples in a pond;
and whenever you're sad, no one anywhere can be really happy.
And it's much the same thing with knowledge,
for whenever you learn something new, the whole world becomes that much
better.
original source: Norton Juster "The Phantom Tollbooth"
submitted by: Marc Loy
RIPPLES IN ACTION ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Submitted by a Ripples Subscriber Who Wishes to Remain Anonymous
I have a friend that has been down on her luck for a while now. In fact,
money has been so tight she was unable to fill a badly needed prescription
for her anti-depressant. I offered to pay for it but she said no.
On a recent trip to Iowa I had to drive past a gambling casino. For some
odd reason I felt a strong urge to go in and take a stab at losing or
winning a few bucks. I don't gamble so the urge was difficult to ignore.
As I left the highway to take the road in to the casino my friend was on my
mind.
I approached the counter, asked for $10.00 in silver coins. I quickly had
doubled that with the promise spoken to the Big Guy that whatever I won
would be split 50/50 with my friend. Fifteen minutes later I walked out
with $140.00 in my pocket, the cost of her prescription was $70.00. The
check was mailed out and she gratefully accepted.
I share this story not to tell you what a great person I am but to tell you
every time I think of it, it renews my faith in the thought that we always
reap 10 times what we sow. I think my joy in being able to help her in a
way that didn't degrade her was an answer to a very small prayer.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
YOU have an example of some small good deed you've done that has created a
Ripple, and YOU should share it with us! I will leave your name off of it
if you want me too....but these stories are more inspirational to many
Ripples Readers than the quotes that sometimes we've heard many times!
eRipples is emerging as a powerful tool to inspire simple good deeds that
ripple the planet with more goodness. Thank you for your help!
Paul
version 2.10 [Monday, March 6, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To the world you may be just one person,
but to one person you may be the world!
original source: unknown
submitted by: so many Ripples Subscribers I just had to include it!
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You may not see it now," said the Princess of Pure Reason,
looking knowingly at Milo's puzzled face,
"but whatever we learn has a purpose and
whatever we do affects everything and everyone else,
if even in the tiniest way.
Why, when a housefly flaps his wings, a breeze goes round the world;
when a speck of dust falls to the ground, the entire planet weighs a little
more;
and when you stamp your foot, the earth moves slightly off its course.
Whenever you laugh, gladness spreads like the ripples in a pond;
and whenever you're sad, no one anywhere can be really happy.
And it's much the same thing with knowledge,
for whenever you learn something new, the whole world becomes that much
better.
original source: Norton Juster "The Phantom Tollbooth"
submitted by: Marc Loy
RIPPLES IN ACTION ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Submitted by a Ripples Subscriber Who Wishes to Remain Anonymous
I have a friend that has been down on her luck for a while now. In fact,
money has been so tight she was unable to fill a badly needed prescription
for her anti-depressant. I offered to pay for it but she said no.
On a recent trip to Iowa I had to drive past a gambling casino. For some
odd reason I felt a strong urge to go in and take a stab at losing or
winning a few bucks. I don't gamble so the urge was difficult to ignore.
As I left the highway to take the road in to the casino my friend was on my
mind.
I approached the counter, asked for $10.00 in silver coins. I quickly had
doubled that with the promise spoken to the Big Guy that whatever I won
would be split 50/50 with my friend. Fifteen minutes later I walked out
with $140.00 in my pocket, the cost of her prescription was $70.00. The
check was mailed out and she gratefully accepted.
I share this story not to tell you what a great person I am but to tell you
every time I think of it, it renews my faith in the thought that we always
reap 10 times what we sow. I think my joy in being able to help her in a
way that didn't degrade her was an answer to a very small prayer.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
YOU have an example of some small good deed you've done that has created a
Ripple, and YOU should share it with us! I will leave your name off of it
if you want me too....but these stories are more inspirational to many
Ripples Readers than the quotes that sometimes we've heard many times!
eRipples is emerging as a powerful tool to inspire simple good deeds that
ripple the planet with more goodness. Thank you for your help!
Paul
Monday, February 28, 2000
eRipples v2.09: Ripples of LEAPING!
eRipples: a free weekly dose of inspiration
version 2.09 [Monday, February 28, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Calling all children hiding out in grown-up bodies
who long to be joyful, funful, freeful.
Come out, come out, wherever you are
and play in the now-sun of your life.
original source: Rusty Berkus
submitted by: Bridget Kesner
RIPPLES IN ACTION ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I went to Applebee's today with a friend. After ordering, one of the
waitresses came up to me and asked if I went to Wal-Mart earlier this week.
I thought about saying that I am there more often than some of the
employees.
She reminded me that on Sunday, she was in front of me in line at Wal-Mart.
As she counted the amount of money for the total, she was fifteen cents
short. She told the cashier that she would have to run out to her car. I
offered her the change. She thanked me generously and went on her way.
The waitress handed me the fifteen cents and proceeded to tell me thank you
again. It made my heart skip a beat that someone would find it important to
repay the small amount. As we chatted, it turns out she new where I
worked. It IS a small world! It only took a dime and a nickel to make her
day on Sunday, and it created a spark in mine on Wednesday.
submitted by: Maryah Miller [edited for length]
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Our development of The Ripples Project creates some confusion with folks
who know this newsletter as "Ripples," so starting this week we are going
to call this "eRipples" which will help us distinguish these electronic
splashes of inspiration from the other ideas we're developing.
More examples of "Ripples" keep trickling in-I hope that keeps up. We
are hoping to assemble a fabulous collection of simple but powerful
anecdotes of how goodness put out into the world often comes back in
unexpected ways. We need YOUR story too!
Happy Leaping!
Paul
version 2.09 [Monday, February 28, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Calling all children hiding out in grown-up bodies
who long to be joyful, funful, freeful.
Come out, come out, wherever you are
and play in the now-sun of your life.
original source: Rusty Berkus
submitted by: Bridget Kesner
RIPPLES IN ACTION ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I went to Applebee's today with a friend. After ordering, one of the
waitresses came up to me and asked if I went to Wal-Mart earlier this week.
I thought about saying that I am there more often than some of the
employees.
She reminded me that on Sunday, she was in front of me in line at Wal-Mart.
As she counted the amount of money for the total, she was fifteen cents
short. She told the cashier that she would have to run out to her car. I
offered her the change. She thanked me generously and went on her way.
The waitress handed me the fifteen cents and proceeded to tell me thank you
again. It made my heart skip a beat that someone would find it important to
repay the small amount. As we chatted, it turns out she new where I
worked. It IS a small world! It only took a dime and a nickel to make her
day on Sunday, and it created a spark in mine on Wednesday.
submitted by: Maryah Miller [edited for length]
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Our development of The Ripples Project creates some confusion with folks
who know this newsletter as "Ripples," so starting this week we are going
to call this "eRipples" which will help us distinguish these electronic
splashes of inspiration from the other ideas we're developing.
More examples of "Ripples" keep trickling in-I hope that keeps up. We
are hoping to assemble a fabulous collection of simple but powerful
anecdotes of how goodness put out into the world often comes back in
unexpected ways. We need YOUR story too!
Happy Leaping!
Paul
Monday, February 21, 2000
Ripples v2.08: Ripples of HOPE!
RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
version 2.08 [Monday, February 21, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist.
It is the trust that they will not last forever,
that hurts will be healed and difficulties overcome.
It is faith that a source of strength and renewal lies within,
to lead us through the dark into sunshine.
written by: Elizabeth A. Chase
submitted by: Meshelle Johns
RIPPLES IN ACTION ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
written & submitted by: Kathryn Johnson
My daughter grew up seeing her parents and others in our neighborhood doing
acts of kindness for each other. She is grown and married now and has
experienced her own ripple. Last summer she was awakened by sirens and
realized they were stopping across the street at her neighbor's house. My
daughter and her husband went over to see what was needed. It turned out
that the neighbor's husband was having a heart attack. My kids went with
her to the hospital, stayed with her as her husband died, and took special
care with her in the days and weeks ahead. They have invited her over many
times since then. My daughter is now expecting a baby and found out that
she has to return to work six weeks after the baby is born to keep her
health insurance. Her neighbor Irene has her own business so is her own
boss. She has offered to take off time for work this spring, for the 4-5
weeks that my daughter needs to return to work as a part time teacher until
summer vacation. The ripple of love between these two families is
wonderful to see.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ripples are Real! Two weeks ago, I asked Ripples subscribers to invite
some friends to join our project and received over 100 new requests to
subscribe. Last week's request for examples of real-life ripples resulted
in a handful of AMAZING stories of good deeds that rippled back to the
originator when needed.
As we continue to build The Ripples Project, we need to develop the notion
that anytime you create kindness in the world, it finds a way to come back
to you just when you need it. So keep passing these Ripples on, and take a
moment to tell me about a some Ripple of kindness that came back to you
when you needed it.
Peace to you,
Paul
version 2.08 [Monday, February 21, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist.
It is the trust that they will not last forever,
that hurts will be healed and difficulties overcome.
It is faith that a source of strength and renewal lies within,
to lead us through the dark into sunshine.
written by: Elizabeth A. Chase
submitted by: Meshelle Johns
RIPPLES IN ACTION ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
written & submitted by: Kathryn Johnson
My daughter grew up seeing her parents and others in our neighborhood doing
acts of kindness for each other. She is grown and married now and has
experienced her own ripple. Last summer she was awakened by sirens and
realized they were stopping across the street at her neighbor's house. My
daughter and her husband went over to see what was needed. It turned out
that the neighbor's husband was having a heart attack. My kids went with
her to the hospital, stayed with her as her husband died, and took special
care with her in the days and weeks ahead. They have invited her over many
times since then. My daughter is now expecting a baby and found out that
she has to return to work six weeks after the baby is born to keep her
health insurance. Her neighbor Irene has her own business so is her own
boss. She has offered to take off time for work this spring, for the 4-5
weeks that my daughter needs to return to work as a part time teacher until
summer vacation. The ripple of love between these two families is
wonderful to see.
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ripples are Real! Two weeks ago, I asked Ripples subscribers to invite
some friends to join our project and received over 100 new requests to
subscribe. Last week's request for examples of real-life ripples resulted
in a handful of AMAZING stories of good deeds that rippled back to the
originator when needed.
As we continue to build The Ripples Project, we need to develop the notion
that anytime you create kindness in the world, it finds a way to come back
to you just when you need it. So keep passing these Ripples on, and take a
moment to tell me about a some Ripple of kindness that came back to you
when you needed it.
Peace to you,
Paul
Monday, February 14, 2000
Ripples v2.07: Ripples of HEART!
RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
version 2.07 [Monday, February 14, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Love is like bread.
It needs to be made fresh everyday.
original source: Hungarian Proverb
submitted by: Michael Winfield <michael.winfield@r...>
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Touch My Heart
Touch my heart and I'll touch yours with a gentle word or two,
For kindness bears the sweetest fruit that makes our dreams come
true.
Touch my life with tenderness and fill my cup with love.
Share my dreams as I share yours beyond the stars above.
Take my hand as I grow old and lead me when I'm blind.
Show me that you really care...good friends are hard to find.
Touch my heart and I'll touch yours a little more each day
Until we both find happiness somewhere along the way.
original source: Clay Harrison
submitted by: Louise Fender
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Do you notice Ripples? Do you create Ripples?
Beginning next week, I want to include some of YOUR original stories about
Ripples that YOU have observed or created. What small acts of kindness or
simple contributions have created a Ripple? We have to inspire each other
to continue the daily good deeds that are at the HEART of any real
sustainable peace this world can grasp.
Take a moment to ponder this, and submit a brief description of your Ripple!
Happy Valentines Day!
Paul
version 2.07 [Monday, February 14, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Love is like bread.
It needs to be made fresh everyday.
original source: Hungarian Proverb
submitted by: Michael Winfield <michael.winfield@r...>
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Touch My Heart
Touch my heart and I'll touch yours with a gentle word or two,
For kindness bears the sweetest fruit that makes our dreams come
true.
Touch my life with tenderness and fill my cup with love.
Share my dreams as I share yours beyond the stars above.
Take my hand as I grow old and lead me when I'm blind.
Show me that you really care...good friends are hard to find.
Touch my heart and I'll touch yours a little more each day
Until we both find happiness somewhere along the way.
original source: Clay Harrison
submitted by: Louise Fender
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Do you notice Ripples? Do you create Ripples?
Beginning next week, I want to include some of YOUR original stories about
Ripples that YOU have observed or created. What small acts of kindness or
simple contributions have created a Ripple? We have to inspire each other
to continue the daily good deeds that are at the HEART of any real
sustainable peace this world can grasp.
Take a moment to ponder this, and submit a brief description of your Ripple!
Happy Valentines Day!
Paul
Monday, February 7, 2000
Ripples v2.06: Ripples of RIPPLES!
RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.06 [Monday, February 7, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
Don't forget this week's PONDER below: It is IMPORTANT!
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.
Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
original source: Scott Adams
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It is from numberless
diverse acts of courage and belief
that human history is shaped.
Each time a man stands up for an ideal,
or acts to improve the lot of others,
or strikes out against injustice,
he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,
and crossing each other from
a million different centers of energy and daring,
those ripples build a current
that can sweep down the mightiest walls
of oppression and resistance.
original source: Robert F. Kennedy
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
From the moment Ripples was first conceived over a year ago, the concept
included a belief that each reader had the potential, and indeed an
obligation, to continue making positive changes in the world.
There are over 2,700 of us now, and it is time to start flexing our
potential as a group! In the coming weeks and months, we will unveil THE
RIPPLES PROJECT as a means to demonstrate the power of individual kindness.
I am going to call on each of you to make a commitment of time, energy
and/or spare change to actively create some ripples and to TELL US ABOUT
THEM!
Let's start with a challenge: pass along this issue of Ripples to ONE
close friend and invite them to sign up. In order to create an audible
roar, we need to increase the number of people who are committed to making
Ripples. By the end of March when we begin rolling out THE RIPPLES PROJECT
we need over 5,000 people from around the country (world?) signed on. So
if each of us finds ONE more subscriber we'll be set!
C'mon, I DARE YOU!
Paul
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.06 [Monday, February 7, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
Don't forget this week's PONDER below: It is IMPORTANT!
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.
Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
original source: Scott Adams
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It is from numberless
diverse acts of courage and belief
that human history is shaped.
Each time a man stands up for an ideal,
or acts to improve the lot of others,
or strikes out against injustice,
he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,
and crossing each other from
a million different centers of energy and daring,
those ripples build a current
that can sweep down the mightiest walls
of oppression and resistance.
original source: Robert F. Kennedy
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
From the moment Ripples was first conceived over a year ago, the concept
included a belief that each reader had the potential, and indeed an
obligation, to continue making positive changes in the world.
There are over 2,700 of us now, and it is time to start flexing our
potential as a group! In the coming weeks and months, we will unveil THE
RIPPLES PROJECT as a means to demonstrate the power of individual kindness.
I am going to call on each of you to make a commitment of time, energy
and/or spare change to actively create some ripples and to TELL US ABOUT
THEM!
Let's start with a challenge: pass along this issue of Ripples to ONE
close friend and invite them to sign up. In order to create an audible
roar, we need to increase the number of people who are committed to making
Ripples. By the end of March when we begin rolling out THE RIPPLES PROJECT
we need over 5,000 people from around the country (world?) signed on. So
if each of us finds ONE more subscriber we'll be set!
C'mon, I DARE YOU!
Paul
Saturday, February 5, 2000
eRipples v2.06: Your Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration
eRipples: a free weekly splash of inspiration
version 3.06: Ripples of TRUST!
Monday, February 5, 2001
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Trust your crazy ideas.
Dan Zadra, submitted by Bethany Kopp
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,
nor the kindly smile,
nor the joy of companionship;
it is the spiritual inspiration that
comes when you discover that
someone else believes in you and
is willing to trust you with friendship.
- adapted from Ralph Waldo Emerson, submitted by Mary K. Gurney
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yesterday I shared a plane ride with a fabulous woman from Fargo,
North Dakota. At first we were simply exchanging the usual small
talk: I had just spent the weekend visiting friends in Minneapolis
and was returning home, she was on her way to a one-day training in
Madison. By the time the plane took off, however, we were deeply
involved (and deeply excited) about how to make the world a nicer
place. I told her about Ripples, and we brainstormed groups of
people who needed a little lift in their lives and who might be able
to help create more ripples of good stuff. At 4:30 we met as
complete strangers, and at 6:00 we were hugging each other as old
friends. Crazy, I know. We couldn't possibly be "old friends" after
just 90 minutes. Yet something inside tells me our paths were meant
to cross and I'm sure we'll meet again. That something inside is
called TRUST, and I dare you to trust your insides this week about
following through on a hunch...there is something in it for you, I'm
sure of it!
Peace,
Paul
version 3.06: Ripples of TRUST!
Monday, February 5, 2001
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Trust your crazy ideas.
Dan Zadra, submitted by Bethany Kopp
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,
nor the kindly smile,
nor the joy of companionship;
it is the spiritual inspiration that
comes when you discover that
someone else believes in you and
is willing to trust you with friendship.
- adapted from Ralph Waldo Emerson, submitted by Mary K. Gurney
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yesterday I shared a plane ride with a fabulous woman from Fargo,
North Dakota. At first we were simply exchanging the usual small
talk: I had just spent the weekend visiting friends in Minneapolis
and was returning home, she was on her way to a one-day training in
Madison. By the time the plane took off, however, we were deeply
involved (and deeply excited) about how to make the world a nicer
place. I told her about Ripples, and we brainstormed groups of
people who needed a little lift in their lives and who might be able
to help create more ripples of good stuff. At 4:30 we met as
complete strangers, and at 6:00 we were hugging each other as old
friends. Crazy, I know. We couldn't possibly be "old friends" after
just 90 minutes. Yet something inside tells me our paths were meant
to cross and I'm sure we'll meet again. That something inside is
called TRUST, and I dare you to trust your insides this week about
following through on a hunch...there is something in it for you, I'm
sure of it!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, January 31, 2000
Ripples v2.05: SUPER Ripples
RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.05 [Monday, January 31, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
I am putting this issue of Ripples together after having just watched the
Super Bowl (actually, I focused more on the commercials....and these recent
submissions seemed relevant!)
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Computers are useless.
They can only give you answers.
original source: Pablo Picasso
submitted by: Goofyfox@a...
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
original source: Calvin Coolidge
submitted by: Brian Hughes <bhughes@d...>
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'm not pondering anything right now, other than the Rockies that are
staring back at me as I gaze out my 9th story hotel window. They are
telling me to go to sleep right now so I can wake up early and drive to
Winter Park and hit the slopes.
When the mountains speak to you, it is prudent not to ignore them.
Peace to you,
Paul
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.05 [Monday, January 31, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
I am putting this issue of Ripples together after having just watched the
Super Bowl (actually, I focused more on the commercials....and these recent
submissions seemed relevant!)
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Computers are useless.
They can only give you answers.
original source: Pablo Picasso
submitted by: Goofyfox@a...
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
original source: Calvin Coolidge
submitted by: Brian Hughes <bhughes@d...>
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'm not pondering anything right now, other than the Rockies that are
staring back at me as I gaze out my 9th story hotel window. They are
telling me to go to sleep right now so I can wake up early and drive to
Winter Park and hit the slopes.
When the mountains speak to you, it is prudent not to ignore them.
Peace to you,
Paul
Monday, January 24, 2000
Ripples v2.04: Ripples of DESTINY
RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.04 [Monday, January 24, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ideals are like stars: You will not succeed in touching them with your hands.
But like the seafaring men on the desert of waters, you choose them as your
guides. And following them you will reach your destiny.
original source: Carl Schurz
submitted by: Bridget McCarte
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Follow Your Destiny Wherever it Leads You
There comes a time in your life
when you realize that if you stand still,
You remain at this point forever.
You realize that if you fall and stay down, life will pass you by.
Life's circumstances are not always what you might wish them to be.
The pattern of life does no necessarily go as you plan.
Beyond any understanding, you may at times be led in different directions
that you never imagined, dreamed or designed.
Yet if you had never put any effort into choosing a path, or tried to carry
out your dream, then perhaps you would have no direction at allS*
Rather than wondering about or questioning the direction your life has
taken-accept the fact that there is a path before you now.
Shake off the "why's" and "what if's" and rid yourself of confusion
Whatever was-is in the past
Whatever is-is what's important.
The past is a brief reflection.
The future is yet to be realized.
Today is here.
Walk your path one step at a time-with courage, faith and determination.
Keep your head up, and cast your dreams to the stars.
Soon your steps will become firm, and your footing will be solid again.
original source: unknown
submitted by: Brian Light
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Last week, 200 of us traveled through bitter cold and snowy conditions to
spend 24 hours together in La Crosse, Wisconsin for a phenomenal leadership
conference. I had a blast delivering several presentations to the group,
but for me the magic appeared in the small group conversations during the
down times. It was in those moments that I felt most connected to the
workshop participants.
I am beginning to understand that our destinies do not lie in the huge
milestones that we strive to achieve, but instead in the daily decisions of
how we treat others and ourselves. It is through these seemingly small and
mundane daily events that true potential can emerge.
If you want to create a new destiny for yourself, I challenge you to make
some small and significant changes in your life TODAY that over time will
compound into a magnificent future.
Peace to you,
Paul
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.04 [Monday, January 24, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ideals are like stars: You will not succeed in touching them with your hands.
But like the seafaring men on the desert of waters, you choose them as your
guides. And following them you will reach your destiny.
original source: Carl Schurz
submitted by: Bridget McCarte
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Follow Your Destiny Wherever it Leads You
There comes a time in your life
when you realize that if you stand still,
You remain at this point forever.
You realize that if you fall and stay down, life will pass you by.
Life's circumstances are not always what you might wish them to be.
The pattern of life does no necessarily go as you plan.
Beyond any understanding, you may at times be led in different directions
that you never imagined, dreamed or designed.
Yet if you had never put any effort into choosing a path, or tried to carry
out your dream, then perhaps you would have no direction at allS*
Rather than wondering about or questioning the direction your life has
taken-accept the fact that there is a path before you now.
Shake off the "why's" and "what if's" and rid yourself of confusion
Whatever was-is in the past
Whatever is-is what's important.
The past is a brief reflection.
The future is yet to be realized.
Today is here.
Walk your path one step at a time-with courage, faith and determination.
Keep your head up, and cast your dreams to the stars.
Soon your steps will become firm, and your footing will be solid again.
original source: unknown
submitted by: Brian Light
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Last week, 200 of us traveled through bitter cold and snowy conditions to
spend 24 hours together in La Crosse, Wisconsin for a phenomenal leadership
conference. I had a blast delivering several presentations to the group,
but for me the magic appeared in the small group conversations during the
down times. It was in those moments that I felt most connected to the
workshop participants.
I am beginning to understand that our destinies do not lie in the huge
milestones that we strive to achieve, but instead in the daily decisions of
how we treat others and ourselves. It is through these seemingly small and
mundane daily events that true potential can emerge.
If you want to create a new destiny for yourself, I challenge you to make
some small and significant changes in your life TODAY that over time will
compound into a magnificent future.
Peace to you,
Paul
Monday, January 17, 2000
Ripples v2.03: Ripples of Dr. King!
RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.03 [Monday, January 17, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
To MLK: Thank you for your Dream. We are still working on it, and we are
not going to give up! -ptw
PEBBLES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?
original source: Martin Luther King, Jr
submitted by: Barbara Heidecke <barbara.heidecke@t...>
To have a dream is to have a sense of purpose.
To see a dream is to know direction
To realize a dream is to live in an uncertain reality, where the dreaming
is just begun.
-original source unknown
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If you have a dream alive in your mind,
Bring it to the world, give it life.
Too often, the treasure which are ours alone to give
are never given the chance to grow.
We each have a unique gift
to bring to this world.
It is our purpose in life
to offer this gift.
For even if only a few people benefit from our offering,
the world is then a better place to live.
original source: Susan Staszewski
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am wrapping up a three-day swing through Pennsylvania where I have been
visiting a handful of fabulous colleges that are getting ready to begin a
new semester of classes just after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I was
excited to discover how students of many different cultures are committing
themselves to dream BIG dreams, and how many of them attribute such great
motivators as Rev. King for helping fuel their dreams.
Keep dreaming, and don't underestimate the power of telling others about
YOUR dream! You don't have to stand on the steps of the Lincoln Monument
to say these words: "I have a dream....."!
Happy Dreaming!
Paul
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.03 [Monday, January 17, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
To MLK: Thank you for your Dream. We are still working on it, and we are
not going to give up! -ptw
PEBBLES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?
original source: Martin Luther King, Jr
submitted by: Barbara Heidecke <barbara.heidecke@t...>
To have a dream is to have a sense of purpose.
To see a dream is to know direction
To realize a dream is to live in an uncertain reality, where the dreaming
is just begun.
-original source unknown
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If you have a dream alive in your mind,
Bring it to the world, give it life.
Too often, the treasure which are ours alone to give
are never given the chance to grow.
We each have a unique gift
to bring to this world.
It is our purpose in life
to offer this gift.
For even if only a few people benefit from our offering,
the world is then a better place to live.
original source: Susan Staszewski
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am wrapping up a three-day swing through Pennsylvania where I have been
visiting a handful of fabulous colleges that are getting ready to begin a
new semester of classes just after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I was
excited to discover how students of many different cultures are committing
themselves to dream BIG dreams, and how many of them attribute such great
motivators as Rev. King for helping fuel their dreams.
Keep dreaming, and don't underestimate the power of telling others about
YOUR dream! You don't have to stand on the steps of the Lincoln Monument
to say these words: "I have a dream....."!
Happy Dreaming!
Paul
Tuesday, January 11, 2000
Ripples v2.02: Ripples of HARD!
RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.02 [Monday, January 11, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When faced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out.
original source: David L. Weatherford
submitted by: Manal Yamout
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I don't divide the world into
the weak and the strong,
or the successes and the failures,
those that make it and those who don't.
I divide the world into
the learners and the nonlearners.
There are people who learn,
who are open to what happens around them,
who listen, who hear the lessons.
When they do something stupid,
they don't do it again.
And when they do something that works a little bit,
they do it even better and harder the next time.
The question to ask is not
whether you are a success or a failure,
but whether you are a learner or a nonlearner.
original source: Benjamin Barber
submitted by: Francesca Kerr
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I spent my first few days of this new year in Miami with a group of coaches
committed to helping take young tennis players to the next level. We were
sharing the frustration of working with individuals who are right on the
edge of moving to the next level of greatness, but who simply fail to take
the step.
Such barriers to development are often not due to a lack of knowledge or
skill, but instead arise from the inability to recognize the strengths they
possess.
What step can you take this week that will demonstrate to yourself and to
the world that you are ready to move to the next level? Take a moment
right now to write that step on your "to do" list and make sure it gets
accomplished before Friday!
GO FOR IT!
Paul
[see bottom for subscription information]
version 2.02 [Monday, January 11, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When faced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out.
original source: David L. Weatherford
submitted by: Manal Yamout
BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I don't divide the world into
the weak and the strong,
or the successes and the failures,
those that make it and those who don't.
I divide the world into
the learners and the nonlearners.
There are people who learn,
who are open to what happens around them,
who listen, who hear the lessons.
When they do something stupid,
they don't do it again.
And when they do something that works a little bit,
they do it even better and harder the next time.
The question to ask is not
whether you are a success or a failure,
but whether you are a learner or a nonlearner.
original source: Benjamin Barber
submitted by: Francesca Kerr
PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I spent my first few days of this new year in Miami with a group of coaches
committed to helping take young tennis players to the next level. We were
sharing the frustration of working with individuals who are right on the
edge of moving to the next level of greatness, but who simply fail to take
the step.
Such barriers to development are often not due to a lack of knowledge or
skill, but instead arise from the inability to recognize the strengths they
possess.
What step can you take this week that will demonstrate to yourself and to
the world that you are ready to move to the next level? Take a moment
right now to write that step on your "to do" list and make sure it gets
accomplished before Friday!
GO FOR IT!
Paul
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