Sunday, March 28, 2010

Ripples #566: Be That Light!

Ripples #566: Be That Light!
Monday, Mar 29, 2010
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 25,296
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities

_______
PEBBLE
Believe that there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Believe that you might be that light for someone else.
-Kobi Yamada, submitted by Michael, Compendium Inc.

________
BOULDER
There is a light that shines
beyond all things on earth,
beyond us all,
beyond the heavens.
This is the light that
shines in our hearts.
-Chandogya Upanishad, submitted by Cris D. Madison WI

_______
PONDER
If you are having a bad day,
keep your eyes open for someone else's light.
If you are having a good day,
keep your eyes open for an opportunity
to be the light for someone else.
If you want to have the best day ever,
keep your eyes open for both.

Peace,
Paul

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Ripples #565: Plus & Minus!

Ripples #565: Plus & Minus!
Monday, Mar 22, 2010
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 25,020
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities

_______
PEBBLE
Life is made up of pluses and minuses.
The pluses give us hope and the minuses give us strength.
-source unknown, submitted by Roger C.

________
BOULDER
You don't know how it tastes until you try.
You don't know how to laugh until you cry.
You don't know where you've been
until you're homeward bound, and
you don't know what you lost until it's found.
-song from "Fraggle Rock," submitted by Nikki B., Cranston RI

_______
PONDER
I wish you for you lots of pluses this week.
I don't wish for you any minuses,
but I do hope you will grow stronger from the minuses that inevitably
arise.

Peace,
Paul

p.s. Eleven years ago, The Ripples Project evolved out of the idea that
there is huge potential in small acts. I'm proud and humbled to announce
that as of last week we achieved the milestone of having 25,000 active
subscribers. We have had a few stumbles and challenges along the way (those
would be the minuses), and I'm so honored to travel this journey with so
many longtime and brand new friends. You are the pluses, in a most profound
and ripply way!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Ripples #564: Reputation vs. Character.

Ripples #564: Reputation vs. Character.
Monday, Mar 15, 2010
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 24,980
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities

_______
PEBBLE
Reputation is the shadow: character is the tree.
-Abraham Lincoln, submitted by JDN, Amarillo TX
________
BOULDER
Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your
character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what
others think you are.
-Dale Carnegie, submitted by Steve R., Madison WI
_______
PONDER
Have you become a person that would make your grama proud? Do you make the
right choices when no one else is looking? What action could you take this
week to strengthen your CHARACTER?

Perhaps you need to speak up on behalf of someone else, or do the right
thing even if it isn't convenient, or maybe find the courage to apologize
and make ammends for a past wrong.

You may notice that as your CHARACTER grows, so does the shadow called your
REPUTATION!

Peace,
Paul

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Ripples #563: Hand in Hand!

Ripples #563: Hand in Hand!
Monday, Mar 8, 2010
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 24,636
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities

_______
PEBBLE
Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.
That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.
-Emily Kimbrough, submitted by Lin H., Bloomington IL
________
BOULDER
Many people believe that support is something that you give to someone you
feel sorry for or that it means propping up someone who would fail unless
you were there to give him a boost. But that's not the way I see it. Support
is the boost you can give someone who can help himself but who needs a
partner to open a window or push aside a roadblock.
-Dave Thomas, submitted by Ann P., Mason OH
_______
PONDER
I was lucky enough to spend Friday with 300 remarkable people at the Lt.
Governor's Conference on LGBT Youth. Educators, administrators, and
community leaders of all ages from all over the state converged on Oshkosh,
Wisconsin to become "Engaged & Empowered." It is rare to witness such a
large, diverse group of people quickly create a powerful feeling of "we are
in this together so let's make magic!" I initially assumed my purpose as
keynote speaker & workshop facilitator was to offer support to those
attempting to create safe environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered youth. As I drove home Friday evening, exhausted and
exhilarated, I realized that I had received as much (or more?) support as I
attempted to generate.

Some days we need support, some days we have support to offer. Our growing
tribe of ripplers believe in the power of generating AND receiving small
acts of kindness; I hope you can enjoy a little of each this week.

Peace,
Paul