Ripples v8.22: Ripples of INVENTING YOU!
5/30/06: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
If you didn't exist, would someone invent you?
-source unknown, submitted by Linda H., Pewaukee WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
The truth is that our finest moments
are most likely to occur when
we are feeling deeply uncomfortable,
unhappy, or unfulfilled.
For it is only in such moments,
propelled by our discomfort,
that we are likely to step out of our ruts and
start searching for different ways or truer answers.
-source unknown, submitted by Anne C-W, Wisconsin
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
First of all, I need to shout I AM SORRY to all of our subscribers and even more importantly last week's "unsubscribes." We recently upgraded our web-based software that is used to send out Ripples, and have encountered a few problems. The most troublesome glitch was that the unsubscribe links did not work in last week's issue. I believe they are fixed in this issue, but if you have ANY troubles unsubscribing please let me know and I will manually remove your email address from our database with my deepest apologies.
Secondly, I am hoping you can take some small or big steps this week in the process of INVENTING YOU. Start by thinking about how a friend or colleague might describe you to someone who asked "Can you tell me about that person over there?" What quality or attribute do you hope they include in their description? Perhaps there is something you can do to enhance that quality further? Another strategy would be to ponder what you hope they might say next year at this time that would not be included in a current description.....and then take some action this week to work on that invention!
Peace,
Paul
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Ripples v8.21: Ripples of SPARKS & MAGIC!
Ripples v8.21: Ripples of SPARKS & MAGIC!
5/22/06: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Our brightest blazes of gladness
are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.
-Samuel Johnson, submitted by Cris D., Madison WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I have always been delighted
at the prospect of a new day,
a fresh try,
one more start,
with perhaps a bit of magic
waiting somewhere behind the morning.
-J.B. Priestly, submitted by Pat H., Valpraiso IN
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Hey friend, did you notice any sparks or magic yet today?
It could be that in the rush to dive in to your busy, crazy week, you passed by a chance to deepen a relationship or pursue a new opportunity. Or perhaps the magical spark might happen just after lunch, or later this week.
Whenever it arrives, be on the look out and be ready to embrace what comes next!
Peace,
Paul
5/22/06: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Our brightest blazes of gladness
are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.
-Samuel Johnson, submitted by Cris D., Madison WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I have always been delighted
at the prospect of a new day,
a fresh try,
one more start,
with perhaps a bit of magic
waiting somewhere behind the morning.
-J.B. Priestly, submitted by Pat H., Valpraiso IN
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Hey friend, did you notice any sparks or magic yet today?
It could be that in the rush to dive in to your busy, crazy week, you passed by a chance to deepen a relationship or pursue a new opportunity. Or perhaps the magical spark might happen just after lunch, or later this week.
Whenever it arrives, be on the look out and be ready to embrace what comes next!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Ripples v8.20: Ripples of MEANINGFUL WORK!
Ripples v8.20: Ripples of MEANINGFUL WORK!
5/15/06: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Three rules of work:
out of clutter, find simplicity;
from discord, find harmony;
in the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.
-Albert Einstein, submitted by Lisa B., Monona Grove WI & Nikki B., Madison WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
It is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life.
And it is very difficult to have a meaningful life without meaningful work.
Perhaps, then, you might gain that rare tranquility
that comes from knowing that you have had a hand
in creating something of intrinsic excellence that makes a contribution.
Indeed, you might even gain that deepest of all satisfactions:
knowing that your short time here on this earth
has been well spent, and that it mattered.
-Jim Collins, submitted by Laura A., Michigan
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
This week included more bonding with credit union leaders, this time at CUNA's Women's Leadership Conference in San Francisco. While our topic was diversity, I spent a few minutes thanking them for their important work and reminding them that they help their members with one of the scariest parts of many people\'s lives: money. A few participants individually shared with me how satisfying their work can be when opportunities arise to help a colleague overcome an obstacle or assist a member in facing a significant challenge.
I am hoping that SOMEWHERE in your life you are finding meaning in your work. And do not forget that MEANINGFUL WORK may not be at your job! It could be a class you\'re taking, a hobby you\'re pursuing, community service efforts, or even some part of your life at home. (While I love my "job" as a leadership trainer, some of you have heard me say that I find The Ripples Project to provide the most meaning in my life!) If you HAVE found your MEANINGFUL WORK, celebrate that today! If it seems you\'re still seeking it (or had it once but have lost it), hang in there! Maybe your goal today could be to make a list of what aspects of your life provide the MOST meaning and jot down a few thoughts about what seems significant about them. Just ponder it a bit, and perhaps you can seek similar opportunities.
Peace,
Paul
5/15/06: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Three rules of work:
out of clutter, find simplicity;
from discord, find harmony;
in the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.
-Albert Einstein, submitted by Lisa B., Monona Grove WI & Nikki B., Madison WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
It is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life.
And it is very difficult to have a meaningful life without meaningful work.
Perhaps, then, you might gain that rare tranquility
that comes from knowing that you have had a hand
in creating something of intrinsic excellence that makes a contribution.
Indeed, you might even gain that deepest of all satisfactions:
knowing that your short time here on this earth
has been well spent, and that it mattered.
-Jim Collins, submitted by Laura A., Michigan
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
This week included more bonding with credit union leaders, this time at CUNA's Women's Leadership Conference in San Francisco. While our topic was diversity, I spent a few minutes thanking them for their important work and reminding them that they help their members with one of the scariest parts of many people\'s lives: money. A few participants individually shared with me how satisfying their work can be when opportunities arise to help a colleague overcome an obstacle or assist a member in facing a significant challenge.
I am hoping that SOMEWHERE in your life you are finding meaning in your work. And do not forget that MEANINGFUL WORK may not be at your job! It could be a class you\'re taking, a hobby you\'re pursuing, community service efforts, or even some part of your life at home. (While I love my "job" as a leadership trainer, some of you have heard me say that I find The Ripples Project to provide the most meaning in my life!) If you HAVE found your MEANINGFUL WORK, celebrate that today! If it seems you\'re still seeking it (or had it once but have lost it), hang in there! Maybe your goal today could be to make a list of what aspects of your life provide the MOST meaning and jot down a few thoughts about what seems significant about them. Just ponder it a bit, and perhaps you can seek similar opportunities.
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, May 7, 2006
Ripples v8.19: Ripples of NOTICING JOY!
Ripples v8.19: Ripples of NOTICING JOY!
5/8/06: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Joy is not in things; it is in us.
-Richard Wagner, submitted by Tina O., Northridge CA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
We may miss a great deal of joy
because we expect it to be
unusual, dramatic, and spectacular.
We are waiting for lights to flash and bells to ring.
But the truth is that joy is here,
right now,
waiting for us to notice it.
-Veronica Ray, submitted by Pat J., Waukesha WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Okay, I'll admit it: I AM a fan of the "unusual, dramatic and spectacular" joy mentioned in today's boulder. For those of you who have seen me jump around a training room or auditorium, it will not come as any big surprise that flashing lights and ringing bells are both a part of my personality. In addition to enjoying the huge, loud, bright joy, I also strive to cultivate an appreciation for the quiet whispers that joy deposits much more frequently than the crazy big stuff. Spring is a great time to practice because there are so many little pockets of joy to experience in flowering apple trees, exploding lilac bushes, and the exuberant twitterings of all kinds of birds. Even a simple warm breeze is a nice treat for those of us living in northern parts where the month of May tempts us with spring while gently reminding us that chilly nights and gloomy cold rains can still visit for a few more weeks.
My challenge for you right now is to stop, look around, and find ONE thing that holds some quiet joy for you to experience. It could be a photo or memento that has been sitting on your desk so long it has faded into the background, or possibly an email in your in box from a trusted friend that you have been taking for granted. It may be a quick peek out the window or even a jog down memory lane to re-visit a recent moment of simple joy in the past few days. Do it. Now. And then jump back in to your crazy life!
Peace,
Paul
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To Unsubscribe, please click here:
http://www.theripplesproject.org/12all/box.php?funcml=unsub2&nl=currentnl&email=subscriberemail
5/8/06: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Joy is not in things; it is in us.
-Richard Wagner, submitted by Tina O., Northridge CA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
We may miss a great deal of joy
because we expect it to be
unusual, dramatic, and spectacular.
We are waiting for lights to flash and bells to ring.
But the truth is that joy is here,
right now,
waiting for us to notice it.
-Veronica Ray, submitted by Pat J., Waukesha WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Okay, I'll admit it: I AM a fan of the "unusual, dramatic and spectacular" joy mentioned in today's boulder. For those of you who have seen me jump around a training room or auditorium, it will not come as any big surprise that flashing lights and ringing bells are both a part of my personality. In addition to enjoying the huge, loud, bright joy, I also strive to cultivate an appreciation for the quiet whispers that joy deposits much more frequently than the crazy big stuff. Spring is a great time to practice because there are so many little pockets of joy to experience in flowering apple trees, exploding lilac bushes, and the exuberant twitterings of all kinds of birds. Even a simple warm breeze is a nice treat for those of us living in northern parts where the month of May tempts us with spring while gently reminding us that chilly nights and gloomy cold rains can still visit for a few more weeks.
My challenge for you right now is to stop, look around, and find ONE thing that holds some quiet joy for you to experience. It could be a photo or memento that has been sitting on your desk so long it has faded into the background, or possibly an email in your in box from a trusted friend that you have been taking for granted. It may be a quick peek out the window or even a jog down memory lane to re-visit a recent moment of simple joy in the past few days. Do it. Now. And then jump back in to your crazy life!
Peace,
Paul
--------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe, please click here:
http://www.theripplesproject.org/12all/box.php?funcml=unsub2&nl=currentnl&email=subscriberemail
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