Sunday, April 24, 2005

Ripples v7.17: Ripples of REAL MILESTONES!

Ripples v7.17: Ripples of REAL MILESTONES!
Monday, April 25, 2005
a FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost,
to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.
–Eleanor Roosevelt, submitted by Katie P., Minneaspolis MN

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

Sooner or later we all discover that
the big moments in life are not the advertised ones,
not the birthdays, the graduations,
the weddings, not the great goals achieved.

The real milestones are less prepossessing.
They come to the door of memory unannounced,
stray dogs that amble in,
sniff around a bit and simply never leave.
Our lives are measured by these.
-Murdoc Niccals, submitted by Terry H., Franklin WI

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

It began several days ago over lunch: two of my friends mentioned they were considering a ceremony of some sort to publicly acknowledge their decision to spend their lives together. Despite the lack of a formal announcement, and despite the fact that it would be over a year away if it did happen, I immediately began imagining the great event. I may have overwhelmed them with my gazilion questions (who\'s invited, where will it be, what food will be served, which musical selection shall I sing, etc.). After a few days I overwhelmed myself as I realized I was missing the point. Planning some elaborate event could be fun, but the real magic of their relationship lies in the multitude of regular ole everydays that find them happy and loving and caring toward each other.

I feel blessed to be around them often, so it might be smarter to delay my decision about what to wear to some event on the distant horizon and instead savor the many opportunities I have to witness their relationship and enjoy their company.

Congrats to them, and congrats to all of us who find some REAL MILESTONE to cherish this week! In fact, if you have one to share, tell us ALL about it in our online community (if you haven\'t created a screen name, you will need to REGISTER it but it only takes a moment and we completely respect your privacy!):

http://theripplesproject.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=761#761

Peace,
Paul

Sunday, April 17, 2005

Ripples v7.16: Ripples of MARCHING ONWARD!

Ripples v7.16: Ripples of MARCHING ONWARD!
Monday, April 18, 2005
a FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

I will love the light for it shows me the way,
yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.
-Og Mandino, submitted by Sabrina R., Prescott, AZ

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

Life is a series of experiences,
each one of which makes us bigger....
For the world was built to develop character,
and we must learn that the
setbacks and griefs we endure
help us in our marching onward.
-Henry Ford, submitted by Su W., Gainesville FL

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

I am pretty sure I am not the only person on this list who has the occasional POOPY WEEK?

After working so hard to put the finishing touches on our website, spammers got a hold of several of the email addresses we use to communicate with Ripples members and last week we began getting a stream of spam addressed to \"join\", \"leave,\" \"betterblurb\" and \"submissions.\" Shame on you spammers!!!

To remedy the situation, we created new email addresses to communicate with our members (see below). Please note that instead of writing out the exact email address, we substitute [at] for the @ symbol so hopefully spammers can not easily harvest these addresses from our online archives. It will add an extra step for you and for that I apologize.

The GOOD NEWS is that thanks to out talented and patient programmer Amanda, we were able to extricate most of the problematic parts of our website and we will soon be unveiling some NEW fun ripply features.

We will MARCH ONWARD, and hope that whatever challenges you face this will will not prevent you from marching onward also!

Peace,

Paul
p.s. WOW did members respond well to last week\'s request for good quotes with a wave of inspiration. THANKS!

Monday, April 11, 2005

Ripples v7.15: Ripples of GLITTERING EYES!

Ripples v7.15: Ripples of GLITTERING EYES!
Monday, April 11, 2005
a FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

The real voyage of discovery consists not in
seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.
-Marcel Proust, submitted by Leslie G., Madison WI

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

Above all, watch with glittering eyes
the whole world around you,
because the greatest secrets
are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Raold Dahl, submitted by Katie P., Minneapolis MN

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

I had a fun day of work up in Wisconsin Dells this week that included
a morning at the Wisconsin National & Community Service Board Conference
where I was hanging out with the volunteers and staff who make vital contributions
to our community through AmeriCorps, VISTA, RSVP, and other programs
that ensure those that NEED help get connected to those who WANT to help.
Then I bipped across town and across the Wisconsin River to spend the afternoon
at a Wisconsin Credit Union League program. My goal at both events was to provide
a boost of energy for participants, and to help them see some of the good stuff
that is happening in their lives.

So, I am going to ask you to ponder what visual \"boost\" you might already have
in your surroundings that with a fresh look might inspire you.
What have you noticed recently that has been in your life for some time
that you are REALLY GLAD is there? Is there a picture, or a scenic view,
or an object of some kind that, when you see it, helps infuse some energy into your day?

Do us all a favor and tell us about it in the community section:
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=751#751

(Oh, and thanks to the several people to \"Chirped\" online a few weeks ago--
I think I contacted everyone who posted that week and asked them
to send their mailing address....if I missed you, please email me!)

Peace,
Paul

Sunday, April 3, 2005

Ripples v7.14: Ripples of STEPPING FORWARD!

Ripples v7.14: Ripples of STEPPING FORWARD!
Monday, April 4, 2005
a FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLES =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

You will either step forward into growth
or you will step back into safety.
-Abraham Maslow, submitted by Mia W., Greensboro NC

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

When the desire to improve
your life, work habits or
organizational skills arrives,
it is easy to say
\"I\'ll do it next week\"
or fix it later;
but the journey of improvement
isn\'t a leap,
it\'s a series of steps.

Put your best foot forward today.
-written and submitted by Scott M., Madison WI

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

I began the week in Appleton, Wisconsin to help the Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions acknowledge and appreciate their awesome credit union employees and then I hopped down to Pensacola to hang out with the staff and students at University of West Florida.

As we reminded each other to \"spring forward\" our clocks an hour on Sunday, I also encouraged people to find a way to STEP FORWARD in their lives. For you this could mean an opportunity to stretch your legs a bit and increase your physical activity; or perhaps you need a mental step forward in thinking more hopefully about a challenge you face. If neither of those ring true for you, then surely a spiritual step forward could expand your awareness in some meaningful way. Whatever it means to you, I hope you can find a useful way to take some action!!

Peace,
Paul