Ripples #597: Cooling Down!

Ripples #597: Cooling Down!
For our tribe of 27,045 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Nov 1, 2010

PEBBLE:
Nothing is ever eaten as hot as it's cooked.
-German Proverb, submitted by Dudley, Houston TX

BOULDER:
"[This was not a rally] to suggest that times
are not hard and we have nothing to fear;
they are, and we do.
But we live in hard times, not end times,
and we can have animus and not be enemies."

"Most Americans don't live their lives solely as Democrats or Republicans
or conservatives or liberals. Most Americans live their lives as if they're
just a little bit late for something they have to do. Often it's something
they do not want to do, but they do it. Impossible things get done every day
that are only made possible by the little, reasonable compromises."
-Jon Stewart, at the conclusion of this weekend's "Rally to Restore Sanity"

PONDER:
I strive to keep Ripples to a 1-minute read,
so I'll keep this brief:
It is okay to raise our voices, and
it is vital that we vote;
let's wake up on Wednesday morning
and ensure that we're ALL winners by
COOLING DOWN the rhetoric and
WARMING UP the teamwork.

Peace,
Paul

Ripples #596: Imagine That!

Ripples #596: Imagine That!
For our tribe of 27,053 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Oct 25, 2010

PEBBLE:
The stronger the imagination, the less imaginary the results.
-Rabindranath Tagore, submitted by Brett, Madison WI

BOULDER:
Before a painter puts a brush to his canvas
he sees his picture mentally...
If you think of yourself in terms
of a painting, what do you see?
Is the picture one you think worth painting?
You create yourself in the image you hold in your mind.
-Thomas Dreier, submitted by Laura, Appleton WI

PONDER:
Is there be something grand you have been hoping to experience?
Imagine that.
Is there an action to take that could make a friend's life easier?
Imagine that.
What could you do today that improves all of your tomorrows?
Imagine that.

Peace,
Paul
p.s. If you're having a bad day, remember that it gets better and you get
stronger!

Ripples #595: Enjoy the Struggle!

Ripples #595: Enjoy the Struggle!
For our tribe of 26,961 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Oct 18, 2010

PEBBLE:
Life's a struggle: struggle to enjoy or enjoy the struggle.
-S. Cretney, submitted by KC, Madison WI

BOULDER:
Achievers can almost literally taste success because they imagine their
goals in such vivid detail. Setbacks only seem to add spice and flavor to
the final taste of victory.
-Denis Waitley, submitted by Nick, NJ

PONDER:
Life is difficult, no doubt about it. You may be dealing with a person or
a project that isn't easy to deal with, and wish you could find an
all-powerful DELETE button so the struggle would just disappear. That may
be tempting, but on our best days we remember that struggles make us
stronger and wiser. Whether you are struggling slightly or significantly
right now, it could be worthwhile to embrace the opportunity to ENJOY THE
STRUGGLE and see what good stuff it might hold for you.

Peace,
Paul
p.s. And hang in there, it gets better!

Ripples #594: Unleash Your Spirit!

Ripples #594: Unleash Your Spirit!
For our tribe of 26,955 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Oct 11, 2010

PEBBLE:
Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.
-Kurt Cobain, submitted by Jason, San Luis Obispo CA

BOULDER:
There is no joy like the joy
of unleashing the human spirit.
There is no laughter like the laughter
of those who are happy with others.
There is no purpose more noble than
to build communities of acceptance for all.
This is our glory.
-Eunice Kennedy Shriver, submitted by Michelle, Cottage Grove WI

PONDER:
Today is National Coming Out Day, created in 1988 to encourage gay people
to take their next steps in speaking their truth to themselves, family and
friends, and the wider community. When LGBT people come out, it is an
affirmation of our ability to love and a statement about our quest to find
love and acceptance in a society that still struggles significantly with
issues around minority sexual orientation and gender identity. National
Coming Out Day was created within the LGBT community, but I think everyone
can participate.

Unleashing your spirit is about celebrating the fact that YOU are an
indispensable part of this world and regardless of your orientation or how
unkindly you are treated by others, this world NEEDS your best self and your
unique contributions. I hope you can celebrate today by UNLEASHING YOUR
SPIRIT and encouraging others to do the same.

Peace,
Paul

Ripples #593: Do Something!

Ripples #593: Do Something!
For our tribe of 26,795 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Oct 4, 2010

PEBBLE:
There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less
than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.
-John F. Kennedy, submitted by Lisa, Battle Creek MI

BOULDER:
In any moment of decision,
the best thing you can do
is the right thing,
the next best thing
is the wrong thing,
and the worst thing
you can do is nothing.
-Theodore Roosevelt, submitted by Mary, Peoria AZ

PONDER:
Some of us have felt overwhelmed by the numerous reports of gay teen
suicides in the past few weeks, and others are feeling deflated about the
economy, the upcoming elections or challenges they or loved ones are facing.

Let's all agree to DO SOMETHING this week. Take some action, however
small, however insignificant you think it could be. We live in a world
where one person can definitely have an impact, and many people doing their
part can fuel hope, change minds, and improve the world for us all.

Think about it, then DO SOMETHING!

Peace,
Paul