Ripples v11.48: Heroes!

Ripples v11.48: Heroes!
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 24,107
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities
Monday, December 7, 2009

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PEBBLE
The task ahead of you is never as great as the power behind you!
-unknown, submitted by Karen C., Indianapolis IN

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BOULDER
Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman
of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each
person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search
for it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need. ...[T]he hero
in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above
yourself and be happy to serve...you are the change that you dream, as I am
the change that I dream, and collectively we are the change that this world
needs to be.
-Efren Peñaflorida, 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, submitted by Cody K.,
Houghton MI

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PONDER
I received an email last week from a Rippler whose mom is facing
significant health challenges and she asked about resources to help the
family face the many unknowns. This was my reply:

"I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you and your family, and
while I don't have any specific suggestions on resources to 'face the
unknown' I can tell you that right now, in hospital rooms and offices with
layoffs and homes in foreclosures and food pantries and lots of other
corners, there are many people facing the unknown in its various scary and
frustrating and awful forms. It turns out that we have enormous capacity
for bravery and strength and sticking together when times are tough, and
while there might be some books or articles or websites with some nuggets,
the most powerful support you have might be gathering your family and
friends together in a huddle and saying, "this is poopy, this isn't what we
hoped/planned for, this isn't fun, this isn't easy, but WE CAN GET THROUGH
THIS and we can come out on the other side CLOSER, STRONGER, WISER, and
BRAVER."

I needed to gather my tribe this week to help me face some difficulties,
and while they couldn't take away the pain, they did an extraordinary job in
helping me feel loved and cared for. I hope this week you can either be a
hero or find a hero, or both!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. Thank you for your many supportive comments about our friend Aaron;
he is still in ICU with some improvement and a long way to go.