Ripples v7.36: Ripples to WAVES!

Ripples v7.36: Ripples to WAVES!
Monday, September 26, 2005
a FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
13,652 subscribers and growing every day!

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

I long to accomplish a great and noble task,
but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks
as if they were great and noble.
-Helen Keller, submitted by Mike D., New Berlin WI

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

We can\'t outvote the militarists,
the multi-national businesses
and the disastrous consumer economy....

But every individual who
responds to current conditions
with integrity, care and intelligence
becomes a source of ripples
that spread through the world,
and enough ripples could become waves.

In the meantime,
they give us strength and spirit.
-Jo Hanson, submitted by Rachel C., Madison WI

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

During the last few weeks, we made a valiant effort to combine a few of our individual ripples of concern about Katrina victims into a wave of support. The result: a few dozen people sent in checks for the Red Cross, Second Harvest, and the \"Katrina Disaster Fund\" which is helping several families displaced by Katrina and currently living here in Madison. The Ripples Project matched the funds and over $3,000 went to the three causes. Woohoo!

I like the idea of combining our ripples, and I would like to experiment by creating some non-financial waves. Eventually, I believe we will be able to coordinate some massive splashes of inspiration and I want to initiate this process by spreading some ripples about Ripples! We currently have 13,652 subscribers, most of whom signed up at one of my presentations. I propose we spend the next few weeks telling others about this free Monday morning email and encouraging them to join us! Do you think we could add 1,000 in a week? Is it possible to imagine 20,000 total subscribers before Halloween? What if we could DOUBLE our numbers between now and Thanksgiving? Now that we have automated the process of subscribing and unsubscribing, encouraging others to join now creates some exciting ripply possibilities. Imagine if 20,000 people decided to send 5 notes of gratitude in the same week or promised to make 10 people smile all on the same day? Our combined ripples would have an even larger impact on our world!

Your task this week is to forward Ripples on to several of your friends, classmates, co-workers and/or family members who you think deserve to get a free weekly splash of inspiration each Monday morning. Include in your email a short note: share how long you have been subscribing, why you think they might enjoy Ripples, and what you like most about being a part of The Ripples Project. You may also want to tell them three important facts about Ripples:

1. Ripples are FREE!
2. The Ripples Project values privacy and protects email addresses vigorously!
3. Each issue arrives on Monday morning, takes 60 seconds to read, and includes an \"unsubscribe\" link.

Encourage them to join by visiting our website OR by simply sending a blank email to us with SUBSCRIBE ME FREE! in the subject line.

If we can get to 20,000 subscribers by Halloween, I will reward all of us by unleashing a special new feature that we have been dreaming about but hesitant to pay for (hint: it involves inspiring quotes and a mesmerizing web page!).

I will keep you updated each week as to the current number of new subscribers. (If you think you can get 20 or more people to join, keep track of who you invite because I will offer you some Ripply treats at the end of the contest!)

Thanks in advance for your help. I hope you can make some big WAVES, and I hope you can also find....

....Peace,
Paul
P.S. Spread a smile today: http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/Rippler01.html