eRipples v4.31: Ripples of GROWTH!

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Be not afraid of growing slowly,
be only afraid of standing still.
-Chinese proverb, submitted by Kristi M.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Loyalty to
petrified opinion
never yet
broke a chain
or freed
a human soul.
-Mark Twain, submitted by Kelly Ann E.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

On Saturday I was honored and thrilled to attend a preview of the new
musical "Hairspray" which is opening on Broadway soon. This
delightful show adds magnificent musical numbers to expand John
Waters' 1988 movie that used a goofy story line to remind us of the
growing pains our country endured in the 1960s when long overdue
desegregation was still being resisted.

As the performance ended, it seemed beyond comprehension to me that
so recently in history our society still tightly embraced an "us vs.
them" mentality. A few moments later I realized that the
appreciative audience delivering a rousing standing ovation was
almost completely white. It did not reflect at all the rich racial
and ethnic diversity I had experienced all day on the streets of New
York City. In that moment I was reminded of two essential truths
about growth: Change is an essential ingredient of growth (whether
you are talking about an individual or a culture); and even if growth
is often more slow and more difficult than we imagine it to be, every
step is necessary and worthwhile. I hope you can pledge this week to
take a baby step or giant leap that will ensure your continued growth!

Peace,
Paul