Ripples v8.36: Ripples of REST!
9/5/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
-Ovid, submitted by Judy A., Carbondale IL
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
To look backward for a while
is to refresh the eye, to restore it,
and to render it the more fit
for its prime function of looking forward.
-Margaret Fairless Barber, submitted by Donna B., Indianapolis IN
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I have some good news, and some more good news. Which do you want first?
Well the first good news is that I have carved out some time this month to escape work and many of the routine chores and patterns that have gradually become my life. My goal is mostly to REST: to sleep and stroll and read and relax and walk and play with my dog. I also intend to to let my heart, mind, and soul meander through all the brainstorms and ponderings I have had about The Ripples Project over the past 8 years. I hope to emerge from this sabbatical with a fresh perspective and some new possibilities to share with you.
The other good news: thanks to our updated newsletter software and our new, larger home base on the internet, I will be able to take some REST while you still receive Ripples! Over the past few weeks, I have created several fresh issues and loaded them up to be sent out automatically over the next few Mondays.
Enjoy the next few weeks, and I will be back soon with stories of my adventures!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Ripples v8.35: Ripples of MATTERING!
Ripples v8.35: Ripples of MATTERING!
8/28/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
What will you do today that will matter tomorrow?
-Ralph Marston, submitted by Lauren M., McFarland WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
In this world of ours,
that which matters most
is not what happens to the outside of things,
but what happens to the inside of people.
-Walter Russell Bowie submitted by Katie M., Cedarville, IL
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Do you have lots of STUFF on your plate right now? Work stuff, school stuff (already!), community service stuff, life stuff?
Many of us feel as though there are so many things on our "to do" lists that we hardly know where to start. My suggestion for this week is to start with a "mattering" test. Which item on your "to do" list could have the biggest positive impact on tomorrow? Is there an action you could take that if you do it WELL and you do it NOW, it could make tomorrow better for you and/or others around you?
Start with that action, and see if that helps create some momentum that will make even more MATTERING possible!
Have a good week, and remember that next Monday is a holiday so look for Ripples first thing on Tuesday morning, September 5.
Peace,
Paul
8/28/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
What will you do today that will matter tomorrow?
-Ralph Marston, submitted by Lauren M., McFarland WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
In this world of ours,
that which matters most
is not what happens to the outside of things,
but what happens to the inside of people.
-Walter Russell Bowie submitted by Katie M., Cedarville, IL
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Do you have lots of STUFF on your plate right now? Work stuff, school stuff (already!), community service stuff, life stuff?
Many of us feel as though there are so many things on our "to do" lists that we hardly know where to start. My suggestion for this week is to start with a "mattering" test. Which item on your "to do" list could have the biggest positive impact on tomorrow? Is there an action you could take that if you do it WELL and you do it NOW, it could make tomorrow better for you and/or others around you?
Start with that action, and see if that helps create some momentum that will make even more MATTERING possible!
Have a good week, and remember that next Monday is a holiday so look for Ripples first thing on Tuesday morning, September 5.
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Ripples v8.34: Ripples of LISTENING!
Ripples v8.34: Ripples of LISTENING!
8/21/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLES =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Hearing is one of the body's five senses.
But listening is an art.
-Frank Tyger, submitted by Pat J., Waukesha WI
One of the most valuable things
we can do to heal one another
is listen to each other's stories.
-Courtney Campbell, submitted by Lauren M., McFarland WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Most people today just listen,
but don't deeply listen.
There are some people in the world
who are blessed to be exceptional listeners.
When someone deeply listens to us,
that enables us to deeply listen to ourselves.
-Rabbi Aryeh Ben David, submitted by Jennifer S.,
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I wrapped up my August travels with visits to Central Michigan Universisty & UNC-Asheville (and HELLO to the big batch of Ripplers from both of these campuses, some of whom have been a part of The Ripples Project since day one!). My adventures as a leadership trainer have certainly allowed me to hone my performance skills over the years and many of you have witnessed how much I enjoy wandering around a classroom or stage telling stories and being goofy. One of the skills I didn't expect to pick up along the way is this week's theme: LISTENING.
The first step in designing a presentation for an audience is to listen to a client describe the event, the participants, and her or his hopes for the part I am helping with. Then I listen to what others are saying about the topics I have been asked to speak on (my peers, the media, etc.). The next step includes time to let this information simmer in my mind for a few weeks or months and listen carefully to what my own soul has to say. Even when I arrive on site to deliver the presentation, there is often still time to ask participant questions and listen to what is currently going on in their lives. Who knew that a career based on TALKING required so much LISTENING? I did not know this going in, but the more listening I do up front, the better my talking is in the end!
I hope you can take a moment to deepen your listening skills this week. I am confident it could help with school, work, and life in general!
Peace,
Paul
8/21/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLES =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Hearing is one of the body's five senses.
But listening is an art.
-Frank Tyger, submitted by Pat J., Waukesha WI
One of the most valuable things
we can do to heal one another
is listen to each other's stories.
-Courtney Campbell, submitted by Lauren M., McFarland WI
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Most people today just listen,
but don't deeply listen.
There are some people in the world
who are blessed to be exceptional listeners.
When someone deeply listens to us,
that enables us to deeply listen to ourselves.
-Rabbi Aryeh Ben David, submitted by Jennifer S.,
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
I wrapped up my August travels with visits to Central Michigan Universisty & UNC-Asheville (and HELLO to the big batch of Ripplers from both of these campuses, some of whom have been a part of The Ripples Project since day one!). My adventures as a leadership trainer have certainly allowed me to hone my performance skills over the years and many of you have witnessed how much I enjoy wandering around a classroom or stage telling stories and being goofy. One of the skills I didn't expect to pick up along the way is this week's theme: LISTENING.
The first step in designing a presentation for an audience is to listen to a client describe the event, the participants, and her or his hopes for the part I am helping with. Then I listen to what others are saying about the topics I have been asked to speak on (my peers, the media, etc.). The next step includes time to let this information simmer in my mind for a few weeks or months and listen carefully to what my own soul has to say. Even when I arrive on site to deliver the presentation, there is often still time to ask participant questions and listen to what is currently going on in their lives. Who knew that a career based on TALKING required so much LISTENING? I did not know this going in, but the more listening I do up front, the better my talking is in the end!
I hope you can take a moment to deepen your listening skills this week. I am confident it could help with school, work, and life in general!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Ripples v8.33: Ripples of STARTING!
Ripples v8.33: Ripples of STARTING!
8/14/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Don't be afraid your life will end;
be afraid that it will never begin.
- Grace Hansen, submitted by Amelia V., Wisconsin
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Winners outrun defeat
by not stopping;
losers give in to defeat
by not starting.
-source unknown, submitted by Judy A., Carbondale IL
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
This is the time of year when many of our fellow ripplers are gearing up for another academic year. Students and educators alike are enjoying a few more vacation adventures, purchasing supplies (and clothes!), and preparing themselves mentally for the start of fall.
I am down in the heart (and heat!) of the south at Mississippi University for Women (which happens to be co-ed, thank you very much!!) to spend some time with current student leaders and also parents of new students; tomorrow I will be helping kick off the orientation program for the new students themselves. Being around all this campus energy makes it easy for me to catch the "let's get started" bug, and I want to ripple that energy out to you! Receive this enthusiasm for initiation and get started on something grand you have been dreaming about: A big project, a personal fitness goal, a job search, or maybe just a book you have longed to tackle. On your mark, get set......Go!!
Peace,
Paul
8/14/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Don't be afraid your life will end;
be afraid that it will never begin.
- Grace Hansen, submitted by Amelia V., Wisconsin
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Winners outrun defeat
by not stopping;
losers give in to defeat
by not starting.
-source unknown, submitted by Judy A., Carbondale IL
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
This is the time of year when many of our fellow ripplers are gearing up for another academic year. Students and educators alike are enjoying a few more vacation adventures, purchasing supplies (and clothes!), and preparing themselves mentally for the start of fall.
I am down in the heart (and heat!) of the south at Mississippi University for Women (which happens to be co-ed, thank you very much!!) to spend some time with current student leaders and also parents of new students; tomorrow I will be helping kick off the orientation program for the new students themselves. Being around all this campus energy makes it easy for me to catch the "let's get started" bug, and I want to ripple that energy out to you! Receive this enthusiasm for initiation and get started on something grand you have been dreaming about: A big project, a personal fitness goal, a job search, or maybe just a book you have longed to tackle. On your mark, get set......Go!!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Ripples v8.32: Ripples of WILD!
Ripples v8.32: Ripples of WILD!
8/7/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you.
-Isadora Duncan, submitted by Kristin K., Salisbury, MD
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
If I had one gift that I could give you, my friend,
it would be the ability to see yourself
as others see you,
because only then would you know
how extremely special you are.
-B.A. Billingsly, submitted by P.S. Patti, Cedar Rapids IA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Hello, dear wild and special ripplers!
Your challenge this week is simple:
spend just a quick moment thinking about how "wild and special" you are.
Recall a specific memory that conjures up your wildness, or
think of some special gift you possess that those around you admire.
You don't have to do anything with it other than this: enjoy your WILD and SPECIAL self!
Peace,
Paul
8/7/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you.
-Isadora Duncan, submitted by Kristin K., Salisbury, MD
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o
If I had one gift that I could give you, my friend,
it would be the ability to see yourself
as others see you,
because only then would you know
how extremely special you are.
-B.A. Billingsly, submitted by P.S. Patti, Cedar Rapids IA
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
Hello, dear wild and special ripplers!
Your challenge this week is simple:
spend just a quick moment thinking about how "wild and special" you are.
Recall a specific memory that conjures up your wildness, or
think of some special gift you possess that those around you admire.
You don't have to do anything with it other than this: enjoy your WILD and SPECIAL self!
Peace,
Paul
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