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!
Monday, July 31, 2000
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
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