eRipples: Your Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.44: Ripples of YOUR LIGHT!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
-James Keller, submitted by Jodie
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
The accumulation of small optimistic acts
produces quality in our culture
and in your life.
Our culture resonates
in tense times
to individual acts of grace.
-Jennifer James
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
I spent this week in Ohio; a few days with a team of 12 veterinarians
who wanted to refine their coaching and presenting skills, and then a
couple of days at Miami University of Ohio to attend the annual
gathering of the Ohio Recreational Sports Association. In a module
on motivating others explored in both groups, we discussed the notion
that many of our management systems are based on catching people who
are do something wrong despite our thorough understanding that
punishment avoidance is not as powerful a motivator as positive
reinforcement.
Let's all commit to spending this week seeking out people who are
doing something RIGHT and rewarding them with a smile, a kind word,
or perhaps even a handwritten note (a rare and valued gift in these
days of emails, voicemail, faxes, etc.).
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, October 28, 2001
Monday, October 22, 2001
eRipples v3.43: Ripples of PATIENCE!
eRipples: Your Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.43: Ripples of PATIENCE!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
We would never learn to be brave or patient
if there were only joy in the world.
-Helen Keller, submitted by Amy in Lincoln, NE
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
...I want to beg you, as much as I can,
to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms
and like books that are written in a foreign tongue.
Do not now seek the answers,
which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is, to love everything.
Live the questions now.
Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it,
live along some distant day into the answer.
Resolve to be always beginning - to be a beginner.
- Rainer Maria Rilke, submitted by Claudia in North Carolina
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
This week included a trip to Oklahoma and a chance to spend a few
days with the Oklahoma School Food Service Association. While the
trip was one more chance to see gorgeous fall colors and spend some
time with another awesome group of "lunch ladies," it was also a
chance to notice that my life is speeding up so quickly that I'm
often thinking about the trip home before I have even arrived at the
destination.
I am going to spend this week enjoying the remainder of fall colors
and being patient enough to enjoy today! I hope you can do the same!
Peace,
Paul
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.43: Ripples of PATIENCE!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
We would never learn to be brave or patient
if there were only joy in the world.
-Helen Keller, submitted by Amy in Lincoln, NE
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
...I want to beg you, as much as I can,
to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms
and like books that are written in a foreign tongue.
Do not now seek the answers,
which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is, to love everything.
Live the questions now.
Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it,
live along some distant day into the answer.
Resolve to be always beginning - to be a beginner.
- Rainer Maria Rilke, submitted by Claudia in North Carolina
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
This week included a trip to Oklahoma and a chance to spend a few
days with the Oklahoma School Food Service Association. While the
trip was one more chance to see gorgeous fall colors and spend some
time with another awesome group of "lunch ladies," it was also a
chance to notice that my life is speeding up so quickly that I'm
often thinking about the trip home before I have even arrived at the
destination.
I am going to spend this week enjoying the remainder of fall colors
and being patient enough to enjoy today! I hope you can do the same!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, October 14, 2001
eRipples v3.42: RIPPLES OF CURIOSITY!
eRipples: Your Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.42: RIPPLES OF CURIOSITY!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
We keep moving forward, opening up new doors, and doing new things,
because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
-Walt Disney, submitted by Bev Petska
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
Do not try to satisfy your vanity
by teaching a great many things.
Awaken people's curiosity.
It is enough to open minds;
do not overload them.
Put there just a spark.
If there is some good inflammable stuff,
it will catch fire.
- Anatole France, submitted by Brian Hughes
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
Last week I wrote in from San Diego. This week I found the OTHER
coast when I visited Valencia Community College in Florida. During a
professional development workshop on dealing with change, we talked
about the importance of viewing changes as opportunities for growth
even when acknowledging that change can be challenging.
Here is your homework for this week: ponder a change you are
anticipating or experiencing. Let yourself stop worrying or
resisting and spend one day simply being CURIOUS about how the change
might be an incredible opportunity wrapped up in the disguise of
change.
Peace,
Paul
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.42: RIPPLES OF CURIOSITY!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
We keep moving forward, opening up new doors, and doing new things,
because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
-Walt Disney, submitted by Bev Petska
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
Do not try to satisfy your vanity
by teaching a great many things.
Awaken people's curiosity.
It is enough to open minds;
do not overload them.
Put there just a spark.
If there is some good inflammable stuff,
it will catch fire.
- Anatole France, submitted by Brian Hughes
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
Last week I wrote in from San Diego. This week I found the OTHER
coast when I visited Valencia Community College in Florida. During a
professional development workshop on dealing with change, we talked
about the importance of viewing changes as opportunities for growth
even when acknowledging that change can be challenging.
Here is your homework for this week: ponder a change you are
anticipating or experiencing. Let yourself stop worrying or
resisting and spend one day simply being CURIOUS about how the change
might be an incredible opportunity wrapped up in the disguise of
change.
Peace,
Paul
Monday, October 8, 2001
eRipples v3.41: Ripples of PLANTING!
eRipples: Your Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.41: Ripples of PLANTING!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
You will not be known for the fruit you pick
but by the trees you plant.
-Proverb, submitted by Mary
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
The way you see people
is the way you treat them,
and the way you treat them
is what they become.
-Goethe, submitted by Jim
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
I am enjoying a little sunshine and a big ocean here in San Diego at
the 42nd National Conference on Student Services. In a workshop on
the art of interpersonal interactions, we explored the notion of
building relationships by creating deposits with people. Sometimes
there are people in the group (at work, at school, in the
neighborhood, wherever) that we don't particularly like so we spend
as little time with them as possible. Then, when we have a conflict
with them, we don't know them very well and thus are likely to think
even LESS of them afterwards! Perhaps we need to create some
deposits in the relationship before our next conflict so we can get
to know them and perhaps <gasp> even LIKE them!
Do us all a favor this week by choosing someone in your life that you
occasionally spend time with but don't know very well and make an
effort to get to know them.
And let me know how it goes!
Peace,
Paul
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.41: Ripples of PLANTING!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
You will not be known for the fruit you pick
but by the trees you plant.
-Proverb, submitted by Mary
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
The way you see people
is the way you treat them,
and the way you treat them
is what they become.
-Goethe, submitted by Jim
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
I am enjoying a little sunshine and a big ocean here in San Diego at
the 42nd National Conference on Student Services. In a workshop on
the art of interpersonal interactions, we explored the notion of
building relationships by creating deposits with people. Sometimes
there are people in the group (at work, at school, in the
neighborhood, wherever) that we don't particularly like so we spend
as little time with them as possible. Then, when we have a conflict
with them, we don't know them very well and thus are likely to think
even LESS of them afterwards! Perhaps we need to create some
deposits in the relationship before our next conflict so we can get
to know them and perhaps <gasp> even LIKE them!
Do us all a favor this week by choosing someone in your life that you
occasionally spend time with but don't know very well and make an
effort to get to know them.
And let me know how it goes!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, October 1, 2001
eRipples v3.40: Ripples of WIND & RAIN!
eRipples: Your Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.40: Ripples of WIND & RAIN!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
A certain amount of opposition is a help, not a hindrance.
Kites rise against the wind, not with it.
-original source unknown, submitted by Mary
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much
bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye."
-original source unknown, submitted by Colleen
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
I attended three conferences this week: one for financial educators who
work at banks around Wisconsin, one in Indianapolis on diversity issues,
and one on bovine leadership (okay, it was actually a conference for
Milwaukee-area college student leaders, but in Wisconsin we LOVE cows
so there was a fair amount of "moo-ing" going on!) While of course
conversations eventually included mention of the events of earlier in the
month, we agreed that it is important to recognize the opportunities for
growth that evolve from trying times. Several individuals shared
strategies which they and/or their organizations have utilized to move
beyond the pain and into new directions. It reminded me that many of my
successes in work and life began as responses to difficult times I
encountered along the way.
I hope you can spend some time this week deciding how you can grow
stronger from the challenges we are facing.
Peace,
Paul
from Paul & The Ripples Project
eRipples v3.40: Ripples of WIND & RAIN!
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
A certain amount of opposition is a help, not a hindrance.
Kites rise against the wind, not with it.
-original source unknown, submitted by Mary
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much
bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye."
-original source unknown, submitted by Colleen
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
I attended three conferences this week: one for financial educators who
work at banks around Wisconsin, one in Indianapolis on diversity issues,
and one on bovine leadership (okay, it was actually a conference for
Milwaukee-area college student leaders, but in Wisconsin we LOVE cows
so there was a fair amount of "moo-ing" going on!) While of course
conversations eventually included mention of the events of earlier in the
month, we agreed that it is important to recognize the opportunities for
growth that evolve from trying times. Several individuals shared
strategies which they and/or their organizations have utilized to move
beyond the pain and into new directions. It reminded me that many of my
successes in work and life began as responses to difficult times I
encountered along the way.
I hope you can spend some time this week deciding how you can grow
stronger from the challenges we are facing.
Peace,
Paul
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