Ripples v11.34: Bubbling Brooks!
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,882
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 31, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
The bubbling brook would lose its song
if you removed the rocks.
-source unknown, submitted by Flory D., India
________
BOULDER
Adversity is like a strong wind.
It tears away from us all but
the things that cannot be torn,
so that we see ourselves
as we really are.
-Arthur Golden, submitted by Jamie W., Middleton, WI
_______
PONDER
Life is not always easy, eh?
I have heard from several fellow Ripplers lately who are experiencing BIG challenges in their lives: loss of loved ones, major disruptions in work/school/life, and dealing with other "stuff" that makes life rocky. It is heartbreaking to hear how difficult life can be for each of us at times.
As I look over my responses to them, I notice a common phrase that I have used in various forms. While I try to avoid using absolutes like "always" and "never," I stand by these: Life is not always easy, convenient, pretty, or fair; life, however is ALWAYS is worth it. The hard stuff makes us stronger the same way the heavier weights are what make the difference in strength training (many of you have heard me say that I'd do more weight lifting if they weren't so darn heavy--but of course if they were light they wouldn't help me strengthen my muscles!).
Believe me, I have days where I wish all the "rocks" in the bubbling brook of my life could be magically removed. Luckily I have the good sense to remember that so much of my character, my personal strength, and my capacity to help others has grown from dealing with the difficult stuff.
I'm truly sorry if life is extra tough for you right now; I hope you seek good people to support you, calming music to soothe you, and an occasional Dairy Queen treat every now and then is pretty darn awesome too.
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Ripples v11.33: Extraordinary!
Ripples v11.33: Extraordinary!
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,832
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 24, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
We all have the extraordinary coded within us,
waiting to be released.
-Jean Houston, submitted by Mia Su C., Greensboro NC
________
BOULDER
We must overcome the notion
that we must be regular...
it robs you of the chance
to be extraordinary
and leads you to
the mediocre.
-Uta Hagen, submitted by Peter F., Tyler TX
_______
PONDER
You have a choice to make rignt here, right now. You can choose to move through your day and your week and your life making the good and right and smart decisions.
Or you can pause for a moment and remember that YOU are EXTRAORDINARY, and this MOMENT also happens to be an EXTRAORDINARY opportunity to ensure that your day and your week and your life are sooooo much more than ordinary since you value them as precious gifts. The good, right and smart decisions will necessarily become EXTRAORDINARY decisions.
Which shall it be, my friend? Which shall it be?
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,832
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 24, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
We all have the extraordinary coded within us,
waiting to be released.
-Jean Houston, submitted by Mia Su C., Greensboro NC
________
BOULDER
We must overcome the notion
that we must be regular...
it robs you of the chance
to be extraordinary
and leads you to
the mediocre.
-Uta Hagen, submitted by Peter F., Tyler TX
_______
PONDER
You have a choice to make rignt here, right now. You can choose to move through your day and your week and your life making the good and right and smart decisions.
Or you can pause for a moment and remember that YOU are EXTRAORDINARY, and this MOMENT also happens to be an EXTRAORDINARY opportunity to ensure that your day and your week and your life are sooooo much more than ordinary since you value them as precious gifts. The good, right and smart decisions will necessarily become EXTRAORDINARY decisions.
Which shall it be, my friend? Which shall it be?
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Ripples v11.32: One Grain!
Ripples v11.32: One Grain!
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,820
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 17, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
Anybody can make a difference in people's lives.
All it takes is a little bit of effort and some creativity.
-David Mortlock, (founder of a group that collects leftover subway fare cards for veterans) submitted by Bob S., Rockaway NJ
________
BOULDER
I wonder if we might pledge ourselves
to remember what life is really all about-
not to be afraid that we're less flashy than the next,
not to worry that our influence is not that of a tornado,
but rather that of a grain of sand in an oyster!
Do we have that kind of patience?
-Fred Rogers, submitted by Toni W., McHenry, IL
_______
PONDER
You matter a great deal to the people around you. You impact them even when you aren't noticing. Even when they aren't noticing. That doesn't mean you have to be perfect; you don't even have to be amazing all the time. You just need to be aware; aware that you make a difference.
A special hello to the remarkable Leadership Safari Guides at Central Michigan University. I hope your journey is as fun as our awesome day last week!
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,820
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 17, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
Anybody can make a difference in people's lives.
All it takes is a little bit of effort and some creativity.
-David Mortlock, (founder of a group that collects leftover subway fare cards for veterans) submitted by Bob S., Rockaway NJ
________
BOULDER
I wonder if we might pledge ourselves
to remember what life is really all about-
not to be afraid that we're less flashy than the next,
not to worry that our influence is not that of a tornado,
but rather that of a grain of sand in an oyster!
Do we have that kind of patience?
-Fred Rogers, submitted by Toni W., McHenry, IL
_______
PONDER
You matter a great deal to the people around you. You impact them even when you aren't noticing. Even when they aren't noticing. That doesn't mean you have to be perfect; you don't even have to be amazing all the time. You just need to be aware; aware that you make a difference.
A special hello to the remarkable Leadership Safari Guides at Central Michigan University. I hope your journey is as fun as our awesome day last week!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Ripples v11.31: Choose Wisely!
Ripples v11.31: Choose Wisely!
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,784
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 10, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.
-Karen Kaiser Clark, submitted by Lauren S., Towson University
________
BOULDER
The future is not some place we are going to,
but one we are creating.
The paths to it are not found but made,
and the activity of making them changes
both the maker and the destination.
-John Schaar, submitted by Terry H., Franklin WI
_______
PONDER
Many of our fellow Ripplers operate our lives on the academic calendar, so now is the time we begin to prepare for the fall. If you are jumping into work/school soon, I hope you consider the above quotes and CHOOSE WISELY as you create your future. This could be the year to dream big, set some high goals, and then create a path of achievement!
I also challenge ALL of us, whether this is the beginning of the year or the middle of it, to think about the impending changes in our lives and determine whether we want to simply GO through the changes or actually GROW through them.
You grow, Ripplers. You GROW!
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,784
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 10, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.
-Karen Kaiser Clark, submitted by Lauren S., Towson University
________
BOULDER
The future is not some place we are going to,
but one we are creating.
The paths to it are not found but made,
and the activity of making them changes
both the maker and the destination.
-John Schaar, submitted by Terry H., Franklin WI
_______
PONDER
Many of our fellow Ripplers operate our lives on the academic calendar, so now is the time we begin to prepare for the fall. If you are jumping into work/school soon, I hope you consider the above quotes and CHOOSE WISELY as you create your future. This could be the year to dream big, set some high goals, and then create a path of achievement!
I also challenge ALL of us, whether this is the beginning of the year or the middle of it, to think about the impending changes in our lives and determine whether we want to simply GO through the changes or actually GROW through them.
You grow, Ripplers. You GROW!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Ripples v11.30: Do More!
Ripples v11.30: Do More!
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,510
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 3, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
Love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.
-Maya Angelou, submitted by someone, Eden IL
________
BOULDER
Do more than exist - live.
Do more than touch - feel.
Do more than look - observe.
Do more than read - absorb.
Do more than hear - listen.
Do more than listen - understand.
-John H. Rhoades, submitted by Lois B., Calumet MI
_______
PONDER
Whatever you did last week, whatever success you found: congrats!
What if you could take this week to the next level by stretching yourself and your goals. Find a way to DO MORE with your work or your chores or a hobby or a relationship and see what transformation may await you. And do it not because you HAVE to, do it because you WANT to!
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 22,510
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, August 3, 2009
_______
PEBBLE
Love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.
-Maya Angelou, submitted by someone, Eden IL
________
BOULDER
Do more than exist - live.
Do more than touch - feel.
Do more than look - observe.
Do more than read - absorb.
Do more than hear - listen.
Do more than listen - understand.
-John H. Rhoades, submitted by Lois B., Calumet MI
_______
PONDER
Whatever you did last week, whatever success you found: congrats!
What if you could take this week to the next level by stretching yourself and your goals. Find a way to DO MORE with your work or your chores or a hobby or a relationship and see what transformation may await you. And do it not because you HAVE to, do it because you WANT to!
Peace,
Paul
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