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