Sunday, February 27, 2005

Ripples v7.09: Ripples of BUILDING A LIFE!

Ripples v7.09: Ripples of BUILDING A LIFE!
Monday, February 28, 2005
Your FREE Weekly Splash of Inspiration from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

Don\'t ever confuse the two, your life and your work.
The second is only part of the first.
-Anna Quindlen, submitted by Sharri D, Eugene OR

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

Exercise hard and you will grow younger.
Care about other people and you will grow happier.
Build a life that you think means something and you will grow richer.
-Henry Lodge, M.D., submitted by Tenny W., Sun Prairie WI

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

In addition to spending President\'s Day with Altra Credit Union in La Crosse, WI, this week also found me hanging out with some folks from Nextel on Wednesday and at an educator\'s inservice in southeastern Wisconsin on Friday. While these groups all pursue very different lines of work, I reminded them all of the value in looking within AND beyond work to create a meaningful life.

Many of us have jobs that provide an adequate combination of challenges, opportunities and income--and of course a certain amount of frustration. Sometimes in our culture, however, we focus so much on our work that we forget to have a life. When someone asks us \"What do you do?\" we assume that they want to know how we make a living. While many times they ARE inquiring about our career, you can use that question to remind yourself and the person asking that we DO many things besides work.

So, take a moment right now to think of a more creative answer to \"What do you do?\" that will allow someone to learn more about your non-work life. And if you cannot think of a non-work answer, then your challenge is to get busy and CREATE A LIFE!!!

Peace,
Paul

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Ripples v7.08: Ripples of DIRECTION!

Ripples v7.08: Ripples of DIRECTION!
Monday, February 21, 2005
Your FREE Weekly Splash of Inspiration from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

Do not go where the path may lead;
go instead where there is no path,
and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, submitted by Sharri D, Eugene OR

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

I haven\'t a clue
as to how my story will end.
But that\'s all right.
When you set out on a journey
and night covers the road,
that\'s when you discover the stars.
– Nancy Willard, submitted by Katie P., Minneapolis MN

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

I\'ve travelled a few (snowy) miles up the road from Madison to spend some time in La Crosse, Wisconsin with a credit union that is about to embark on a new journey and I think we could all adopt their adventurous spirit and declare a new direction for ourselves this week.

If you are facing some tiny or gigantic change at work or at school or in life in general, maybe this is a perfect time to remind yourself that while change can be challenging at times, it can also be a magnificent journey! Or maybe you\'re feeling a little \"blah\" without enough change. Whatever the case, blaze a new trail and leave a path!

Peace,
Paul

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Ripples v7.07: Ripples of LOVE!

Ripples v7.07: Ripples of LOVE!
Monday, February 14, 2005
Your FREE Weekly Splash of Inspiration from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

Love is the most powerful and still
the most unknown energy of the world.
-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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

What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you will do in the evenings,
how you will spend your weekends,
what you read,
who you know,
what breaks your heart, and
what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love
Stay in Love
And it will decide everything.
-Pedro Arrupe, submitted by Kara M. Cleveland, Ohio


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

For many people, Valentine\'s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the joy of romantic love.

Regardless of your relationship status, we could ALL use a reminder of how remarkable love is. Life just tastes better when you love your work, your studies, your friends/family/neighbors/coworkers, your community, your pets, your hobbies, etc. (Of course, we cannot love EVERYTHING in our life or we wouldn\'t be able to really appreciate the things we really do love--love would then become a bland saltine cracker with no peanut butter).

So, here is my wacky idea for the week. I\'m going to assume you will be sharing your love this week with the important PEOPLE in your life. Let\'s share with each other not WHO we love but WHAT we love! What is some inanimate object you own that you really love having in your life? Is it a book? a gadget? a piece of clothing? C\'mon, I dare you to post your response here:

http://theripplesproject.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=643#643

Peace,
Paul

Monday, February 7, 2005

Ripples v7.06: Ripples of PRESENT MOMENT!

Ripples v7.06: Ripples of PRESENT MOMENT!
Monday, February 7, 2005
Your FREE Weekly Splash of Inspiration from Paul & The Ripples Project
[If you like Ripples, pass it on to someone else!]

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

Attaining inner simplicity is learning to live happily in the present moment.
Keep in mind that life is a continuous succession of present moments.
-Elaine St. James, submitted by Vickie B., Indianaplois IN

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

Caretake this moment.
Immerse yourself in its particulars.
Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed.
Quit the evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble.
It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen be now.
-Epictetus, submitted by Starr L.

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

Ponder this moment.

Whatever you are doing right now, just pause for 10 seconds and notice how remarkable it is that you took this moment to read a couple of inspirational quotes.

Even as you dive back into your crazy day....I hope you can be here, now.

Peace,
Paul