Ripples v5.20: Ripples of RAPT ATTENTION!

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

The greatest gift we can give one another
is rapt attention to one another's existence.
-Sue Atchley Ebaugh

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

Today, see if you can stretch your heart
and expand your love so that it touches not only
those to whom you can give it easily,
but also those who need it so much.
-Daphne Rose Kingma, submitted by Beth S., Lincoln, Nebraska

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

I hung out with some YMCA Professionals from the Pacific Northwest
recently, as well as a group of managers, supervisors and team leads
from Lutheren Social Services of Wisconsin. Both of these groups are
filled with compassionate helpers who are trained and gifted at
listening to the needs of their clients. I challenged them apply
their extraordinary listening talents to other interactions, whether
it be with a frustrated co-worker, controlling supervisor or whining
subordinate. Many of the challenges people are dealing with could be
more effectively faced after an opportunity to explore options or
simply to vent with an impartial listener.

Do you have someone in your life that you avoid because you don't
like them very much? Even if they deserve the low opinion you hold
of them, I dare you to test your compassion by finding a way to be
there for them--even if it means simply spending a few minutes
listening to them vent without judgment. In some cases, it could be
the most difficult task you accomplish this week . I suspect this
"rapt attention" could also be a most powerful opportunity to explore
patience, humility, and peace.

Give it a try!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.19: Ripples of GROWING!

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

He who stops completely before taking the next step will spend a
lifetime standing on one leg.
Chinese Proverb, submitted by from Virginia M., Lincoln, Nebraska

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

I've always been fascinated by the Japanese carp, otherwise known as
the koi. It's a fish with seemingly unlimited growth potential. If
you put the koi in a small fish bowl, it will only grow to be two or
three inches long. In a larger tank or a small pond, it will reach
six to ten inches. A bigger pond, and it gets to be a foot and a
half. But, if the koi is placed in a large lake, where it can really
stretch out, it can grow up to three feet long. The size of the fish
is proportional to the size of its home.  Well, it works that way with
people too. We grow according to the size of our world.
Not physically, of course, but mentally.
-Harvey Mackay, submitted by Patricia W.

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

We need YOUR help this week in growing! The Ripples Project has
grown from our initial group of 60 people (most of whom are still
members 6 years later!) to over 8,500 members all over North America
and the world! We could be creating even MORE ripples if you choose
one quick action to help us grow:

A. Submit a profound quotation for a future issue:
Submissions@TheRipplesProject.org

B. Encourage a friend or co-worker to join. Tell them why you like
Ripples, tell them that it is FREE, and tell them to send a blank
email to Join@TheRipplesProject.org

C. Visit our goodie-filled online store and choose a graduation or
other gift for someone!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm

Peace,

Paul

©2003 The Ripples Project
eRipples & The Ripples Project are registered trademarks

Ripples v5.18: Ripples of THINKING & ACTING!

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

It is easier to act your way into a new way of thinking,
then to think your way into a new way of acting.
-Lance Dublin, submitted by Pat R.


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

I care not
what others think of what I do,
but I care very much
about what I think of what I do.
That is character!
-Theodore Roosevelt, submitted by Marti W.


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

This week created opportunities for me to hang out with some high
school students here in Wisconsin, first way up north in Rhinelander
and then on Friday in Waukesha. In both presentations I challenged
the participants to commit to DOING what they dreamed about.
Dreaming is a powerful first step in the goal setting process, and a
very necessary step. Dreaming alone, however, does not accomplish
those goals. And thinking about doing something does not get
something done. Getting STARTED does move you closer to getting
something accomplished!

QUICK ACTION: Choose a specific goal you have been putting off and
decide that this week, even TODAY, you are going to move on it, take
take action.
Peace,
Paul


Ripples: a FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
our archive: http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/eRipples
our store: http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm
subscribe: blank email to Join@TheRipplesProject.org
unsubscribe: blank email to Leave@TheRipplesProject.org
submissions: send a quote to Submissions@TheRipplesProject.org

©2003 The Ripples Project
eRipples & The Ripples Project are registered trademarks

Ripples v5.17: Ripples for MOTHERS!

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

Sooner or later, we all quote our mothers.
-Bern Williams

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

When I stopped seeing my mother
with the eyes of a child,
I saw the woman
who helped me
give birth to myself.
-Nancy Friday

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

I thought I would help us get a jump on Mother's Day with a few
quotes about moms. If you know of other good ones, please send them
to Submissions@TheRipplesProject.org and we'll save them up for next
year!

Peace,
Paul