Ripples v5.03: Ripples of INSPIRATION!

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

There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-Albert Einstein, submitted by Paula G., Orlando, Florida

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

Life is happening right now.
This is the real thing.
It's time to stop planning, postponing and hoping.
It's time to stop talking about a dream and start doing a dream.
-source unknown, submitted by Debbie R., Exeter, New Hampshire

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

To the 200 people who purchased goodies at The Ripples Project
website in 2002, Leslie & I say THANK YOU!

To the 7,800 other member of The Ripples Project: We need your help!
The Ripples Project has no need to make a profit, but we do need to
raise about $15,000 a year to cover expenses to maintain the website
and create products. If each of you just makes ONE purchase this
year, we will more than cover that amount!

Can you help us, please? At least take a peek and see if anything
interests you!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm

Thanks!

Paul
editor, Ripples

Ripples v5.02: Ripples of DR. KING!

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

We must remember that intelligence is not enough.
Intellegence plus character, that is the goal of a true education.
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., submitted by Erin C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Hatred and bitterness
can never cure the disease of fear;
only love can do that.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.
Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., submitted by Carrie S.

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

As we dive into our fifth year of sending out Ripples, you should
know that Dr. King was an important influence as we formed this
experiment in encouraging kindness. Most of know about his dream of
a world where race had no role in who you lived next door to, where
you worked, and who you spent time with. He pursued his dream with
passion, and he believed that if we wanted Peace, we needed to
practice Peace!

Let us keep Dr. King's dream alive by finding a way to extend Peace
today. For you that may mean vocalizing your opinion about Iraq or
North Korea or the Middle East. Peace may involve forgiving a family
member or asking a co-worker to forgive you. Peace may simply mean
holding the door for someone at the grocery store or not honking your
horn at the car in front of you who just made a right hand turn
without signaling. However you choose to express it, remember that
by extending Peace to the world, you allow Peace into yourself!

I offer you always....Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.01: Ripples of HOPE!

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

Until you do what you believe in,
you don't know whether you believe it or not.
-Leo Tolstoy, submitted by Charlene G., Pennsylvania

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

The real struggle in the world may not be between good and evil but
rather between hope and evil. Hope seems more active and creative
than the somewhat nebulous good. Hope aspires; good has arrived.
Good, like God lives outside time; hope keeps people alive, moving
forward, inside time. As long as hope remains healthy, it is a match
for evil; about good, no one can be so sure.
-Lance Morrow, submitted by Tess B., Salt Lake City, Utah

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

It looks like the U.S. has a gigantic decision to make in the next
few weeks about whether to go to war with Iraq. While I have strong
feelings about promoting peace and avoiding war, I respect that some
folks may have different perspectives. My greatest fear is not that
we will have another war. My greatest fear is that individuals who
have given up hope will not voice their opinions. This forces our
leaders to make decisions without the input of the people they are
leading and that is DANGEROUS!

The White House has an opinion line open during business hours:
202-456-1111. After a few automated steps, a live operator will
thank you for saying "I oppose" or "I approve." You can also
contact your congressional representatives to let them know what you
think. Here is a website that searches your reps by state or zip
code: http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm

Whatever your opinions about this conflict and any other issue, I
urge you to retain your HOPE by acting on what you think/feel!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.00: Ripples of TRAVELING!

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

If you let your spirit out, where would it go?
-source unknown, submitted by Annmarie H., Philadelphia, PA

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

The world is a book,
and those who do not travel
read only one page.
-St. Augustine, submitted by Joshua F., New Zealand

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

I am home from a magnificent journey that allowed me to experience the remarkable
country of New Zealand. I cannot begin to describe the beauty I encountered, but I did
take a few snapshots for you to see: http://www.HappyFlying.com/pp/NZ.htm

My adventures included swimming with Dusky Dolphins; kayaking in the majestic
Fjordland where tree-covered mountains rise directly from the sea; and hiking through
rainforests that were dense with ferns, trees, and just so much green! If you've seen
either of the Lord of the Rings movies, you have seen a taste of New Zealand posing as
Middle Earth: I urge you to see it for yourself!

It feels good to be home, of course, after a month of suitcases and hotels and rental cars.
I think my adventure served to give me a peek of our great big world, and to remind me
how cozy my home is, how comfortable my bed is. I am glad I went, and I am glad I am
home again!

Peace,
Paul