Ripples v7.22: Ripples of IDEALS!
Monday, May 30, 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
Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.
We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin,
but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
- Samuel Ullman, submitted by Terry H., Franklin WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDERS =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
It\'s difficult in times like these:
ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us,
only to be crushed by grim reality.
It\'s a wonder I haven\'t abandoned all my ideals,
they seem so absurd and impractical.
Yet I cling to them because I still believe,
in spite of everything,
that people are truly good at heart.
I simply can\'t build my hopes
on a foundation of confusion, misery, and death...
and yet...I think...this cruelty will end,
and that peace and tranquility will return again.
-Anne Frank
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I was back on the road this week to visit Lincoln, Nebraska and an passionate group of students interested in nursing and other healthcare-related careers. They certainly did not need to be lectured on how important their jobs would be, nor did they need convincing that helping others is a noble path to self fulfillment. My goal was simply to THANK them for choosing to serve others, and to suggest strategies to help them retain their passion for helping. More importantly, I hoped to reinforce their idealistic notions that even in the crazy, complex, expensive, overwhelmed healthcare system we have in the U.S., a single compassionate, caring soul can help someone heal and truly make a difference.
I suspect you have occasional moments where you catch yourself thinking wildly optimistic thoughts about your potential contribution to the world. Can you make it your goal this week to honor those moments, and let them linger a bit in your mind and heart? Those idealistic notions could become tomorrow\'s reality if you listen, and then act upon them!
Peace,
Paul
p.s. If your last name begins with A, B, C, D, or E, can you take a moment this week to tell me what you like about Ripples and anything we could do to make it better? THANKS!
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Ripples v7.21: Ripples of SUNSHINE!
Ripples v7.21: Ripples of SUNSHINE!
Monday, May 23, 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
A good laugh is sunshine in a house.
-Thackeray, submitted by Reta D., Sandy, Utah
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDERS =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Those who bring
sunshine
to the lives of others
cannot keep it from
themselves.
-Sir James M. Barrie, submitted by Vickie B., Indianapolis, IN
Life is a pure flame,
and we live by an
invisible sun within us.
- Sir Thomas Browne, submitted by Marijane C., Madison WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I have just returned from a relaxing weekend with a former
professor and current friend....I arrived home to find an
afternoon sky FILLED with sunshine so I am going to enjoy it!
I hope the summertime sunshine has arrived at your doorstep,
and I hope that even on the overcast days you can remember
that the sun is still smiling up above the clouds.
Lightly,
Paul
Monday, May 23, 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
A good laugh is sunshine in a house.
-Thackeray, submitted by Reta D., Sandy, Utah
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDERS =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Those who bring
sunshine
to the lives of others
cannot keep it from
themselves.
-Sir James M. Barrie, submitted by Vickie B., Indianapolis, IN
Life is a pure flame,
and we live by an
invisible sun within us.
- Sir Thomas Browne, submitted by Marijane C., Madison WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I have just returned from a relaxing weekend with a former
professor and current friend....I arrived home to find an
afternoon sky FILLED with sunshine so I am going to enjoy it!
I hope the summertime sunshine has arrived at your doorstep,
and I hope that even on the overcast days you can remember
that the sun is still smiling up above the clouds.
Lightly,
Paul
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Ripples v7.20: Ripples of NUTTY!
Ripples v7.20: Ripples of NUTTY!
Monday, May 16, 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
Live nutty. Just occasionally. Just once in a while.
And see what happens. It brightens up the day.
–Leo Buscaglia, submitted by Katie P., Minneapolis MN
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
...Nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.
Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.
It\'s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope...
that enables you to laugh at life\'s realities.
-Dr. Seuss, submitted by Dennis B., Glenside PA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Bloobity do.
Arffna loopy zoolicious!
I dare you to be goofy weird zany bizarre crazy silly this week. Dr. Seuss would enjoy it immensely if we created 13,000 splashes of nuttiness so let the ripples commence!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, May 16, 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
Live nutty. Just occasionally. Just once in a while.
And see what happens. It brightens up the day.
–Leo Buscaglia, submitted by Katie P., Minneapolis MN
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
...Nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.
Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.
It\'s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope...
that enables you to laugh at life\'s realities.
-Dr. Seuss, submitted by Dennis B., Glenside PA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Bloobity do.
Arffna loopy zoolicious!
I dare you to be goofy weird zany bizarre crazy silly this week. Dr. Seuss would enjoy it immensely if we created 13,000 splashes of nuttiness so let the ripples commence!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, May 8, 2005
Ripples v7.19: Ripples of RISKS!
Ripples v7.19: Ripples of RISKS!
Monday, May 9, 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’m a risk-taker. My attitude is, go after what you want. If you get it, fine, if not, move on.
-Vanessa Williams, submitted by Dana M., Waukesha WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDERS =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
The journey to your true self is a life filled with risk.
You must risk if you want to live a life that you would be proud to call your own.
Remember, fear thrives on safety. Love thrives on risk.
-Rhonda Britten, submitted by Michele C., St. Paul MN
Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage.
The goals and dreams you are seeking require courage and risk-taking.
Learn from the turtle; it only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.
-source unknown, submitted by Dan F., Stockton CA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
This is the week, my friend!
You know that risky task you have parked on your to-do list? It might be a small step you have been considering: asking for a raise or a date or a favor. Or perhaps a huge proposition is on your horizon: going back to school, starting a family or maybe purchasing a new home. The bad news: taking the risk may not produce the results you expected. The good news: regardless of the outcome, you may find the process to be adventurous and it could open some new unexpected opportunities. YES you need to take precautions, consider the possible challenges, plan for all the potential outcomes....and then at some point you need to GO FOR IT!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, May 9, 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’m a risk-taker. My attitude is, go after what you want. If you get it, fine, if not, move on.
-Vanessa Williams, submitted by Dana M., Waukesha WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDERS =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
The journey to your true self is a life filled with risk.
You must risk if you want to live a life that you would be proud to call your own.
Remember, fear thrives on safety. Love thrives on risk.
-Rhonda Britten, submitted by Michele C., St. Paul MN
Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage.
The goals and dreams you are seeking require courage and risk-taking.
Learn from the turtle; it only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.
-source unknown, submitted by Dan F., Stockton CA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
This is the week, my friend!
You know that risky task you have parked on your to-do list? It might be a small step you have been considering: asking for a raise or a date or a favor. Or perhaps a huge proposition is on your horizon: going back to school, starting a family or maybe purchasing a new home. The bad news: taking the risk may not produce the results you expected. The good news: regardless of the outcome, you may find the process to be adventurous and it could open some new unexpected opportunities. YES you need to take precautions, consider the possible challenges, plan for all the potential outcomes....and then at some point you need to GO FOR IT!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, May 1, 2005
Ripples v7.18: Ripples of SEEDS!
Ripples v7.18: Ripples of SEEDS!
Monday, May 2, 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
Die when I may, I want it said of me that I plucked a weed
and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.
-Abraham Lincoln, submitter unknown
We are the seeds of kindness and love.
Grow tall and strive to live all of your days
enjoying and reaching for
the sun, the moon and the stars.
-Stacy Schupmann, submitted by Stacy, Buffalo, NY
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Scatter seeds of kindness
everywhere you go;
Scatter bits of courtesy--
watch them grow and grow.
Gather buds of friendship;
keep them till full-blown;
You will find more happiness
than you have ever known.
-Amy R. Raabe, submitted by Charlene G., PA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
As many of our fellow ripplers are celebrating the arrival of spring by planting seeds of flowers and vegetables, this week might be a great time for ALL of us to ponder what spiritual seeds we are planting for ourselves and others.
If there is a work or social relationship in your life that needs nurturing, take a moment right to write a quick note or make a brief phone call to say HELLO or THANKS. If it is your own soul that feels depleted, perhaps you need to check out an inspirational book from the library or download a song that might fertilize a growth spurt that you are ready to experience. Or maybe just take a quiet moment in your crazy day and let yourself plant this question: \"What\'s next?\"
Peace,
Paul
Monday, May 2, 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
Die when I may, I want it said of me that I plucked a weed
and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.
-Abraham Lincoln, submitter unknown
We are the seeds of kindness and love.
Grow tall and strive to live all of your days
enjoying and reaching for
the sun, the moon and the stars.
-Stacy Schupmann, submitted by Stacy, Buffalo, NY
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Scatter seeds of kindness
everywhere you go;
Scatter bits of courtesy--
watch them grow and grow.
Gather buds of friendship;
keep them till full-blown;
You will find more happiness
than you have ever known.
-Amy R. Raabe, submitted by Charlene G., PA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
As many of our fellow ripplers are celebrating the arrival of spring by planting seeds of flowers and vegetables, this week might be a great time for ALL of us to ponder what spiritual seeds we are planting for ourselves and others.
If there is a work or social relationship in your life that needs nurturing, take a moment right to write a quick note or make a brief phone call to say HELLO or THANKS. If it is your own soul that feels depleted, perhaps you need to check out an inspirational book from the library or download a song that might fertilize a growth spurt that you are ready to experience. Or maybe just take a quiet moment in your crazy day and let yourself plant this question: \"What\'s next?\"
Peace,
Paul
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