Ripples v9.16: Growing!

Ripples v9.16: Growing!
4/16/07: 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

One can choose to go back toward safety
or forward toward growth.
Growth must be chosen again and again;
fear must be overcome again and again.
-Abraham Maslow, submitted by Sarah Z., Fond du Lac WI

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

Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile spring soil.
The first seed said: "I want to grow!
I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and
thrust my sprouts through the earth's crust above me!
I want to unfurl my tender buds like banners
to announce the arrival of spring!
I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and
the blessing of the morning dew on my petals!"

AND SO THE FIRST SEED GREW....

The second seed said: "I am afraid.
If I send my roots into the ground below,
I don't know what I will encounter in the dark.
If I push my way through the hard soil above me
I may damage my delicate sprouts¦"
What if I let my buds open and a snail tries to eat them?
And if I were to open my blossoms,
a small child may pull me from the ground.
No; It is much better for me to wait until it is safe."

AND SO THE SECOND SEED WAITED.....

A yard hen happened by one day and
started scratching around in the early spring ground for food….
found the waiting seed and promptly ate it.
Moral of this story:
Those of us who refuse to risk and grow,
could get swallowed up in life.
-original source unknown, submitted by Stacey

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

I did some growing this week, thanks to a few hundred Ripplers who helped me move into the land of FACEBOOK, MYSPACE and LINKEDIN. If you are not familiar, these "social networking" sites are quickly redefining how people can create, maintain, and deepen their relationships using the internet. In a few weeks, we are going to have an issue of Ripples on this theme and encourage everyone to connect up on one of these sites. In the meantime, may I challenge YOU to do some growing this week by trying something new, taking a risk, or improving your abilities in some area. It could keep you from getting "swallowed up" and it might even be (gasp) fun!

On your mark, get set, GROW!

Peace,
Paul