Ripples v5.33: Ripples of NOT MISSING IT!

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

Life moves pretty fast,
if you don't stop to look around once in a while,
you could miss it.
-Ferris Bueller, submitted by Kelsey D.

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

Along our path of life we get a series of detours ...
and we all get frustrated and impatient
when we feel we have to leave the path we've chosen.

But what if the real path of life...
is really made up of all these detours ...
and instead of learning the real lessons of life,
we miss them because we were too busy being
frustrated and impatient!!
-Ziggy (the cartoon character), submitted by Paul T.

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

A quick visit to Philadelphia this week allowed me to meet some
motivated student leaders at La Salle University. Besides discussing
some ideas to survive and thrive in their leadership positions, I
wanted them to ENJOY their year and all the craziness it will bring
them.

Could I convince you to just press PAUSE and for 30 seconds right now
think of as many pieces of your life that you like? Ponder the
people, places, objects, adventures, and activities that you
enjoy...okay...now jump back into your day hopefully feeling a bit
better!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.32: Ripples of POSITIVE PICTURES!

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

The goal of life is to grow...forgetting why, remembering how.
-E.E. Cummings, submitted by Theresa R., Jefferson, WI

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

Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind
a mental picture of yourself as succeeding.
Hold this picture tenaciously.
Never permit it to fade.
Your mind will seek to develop the picture...
Do not build up obstacles in your imagination.
-Norman Vincent Peale, submitted by Nancy C.

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

This week included a visit with the student facilitators of Central
Michigan University's Leadership Safari and then (after a CRAZY day
of travel through Detroit on Friday) I spent Saturday evening with
new students at University of North Carolina-Asheville. As I bip
around to all these institutions of higher learning this time of
year, I am reminded that ALL of us are creating a growth curriculum
at the University of Life! Sometimes we get stuck with the "required
course" of disappointment or frustration but hopefully there is also
time for an "elective course" of adventures with friends or hobby
development or a weekend seminar on sleeping in! Whatever
combination of coursework you have this fall, I hope you can picture
opportunities to learn and grow!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.31: Ripples of IGNITING PASSION!

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

Life is a gift; a gift to be opened and shared often,
don't let it collect dust or fall into the wrong hands.
-written and submitted by Rebecca Spindle

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

If you want to build a ship,
don't drum up people together to collect wood
and don't assign them tasks and work,
but rather teach them to long for the sea.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery, submitted by Rosanne F.

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

This week I was in amazing New York City at S.P. Richards' Advantage
Business Conference. My challenge for these participants from the
office supply industry was to excavate their passion by surrounding
themselves with positive, energetic, FUN people who are vital to an
enriching work environment. My challenge for YOU this week is to BE
one of those positive, energetic, fun people who help create
environments that encourage passion!

Wherever you go this week, to work, to school, to hang out with
family/friends, try to be the person that ADDS energy to the mix and
not the person who DRAINS energy!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.30: Ripples of GOOD COMPANY!

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

Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers
but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.
-Rachel Naomi Remen, submitted by Jodi C., Madison WI

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

Life is short and we do not have too much time
to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us,
so be swift to love and make haste to be kind.
-Henri-Frederic Amiel, submitted by Jennifer G., San Antonio, TX

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

What "good company" have you surrounded yourself with lately that
makes it easier to travel through life? If there is some new face
that needs a real welcome, or perhaps a longtime friend that has been
there in great and small adventures, I hope you can take a moment
from your busy life to call, email, or drop a note and say THANK YOU!

Peace,
Paul