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
Wednesday, May 31, 2000
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
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