Ripples #710: Running Fast!
For our tribe of 31,612 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/31/2012
PEBBLE:
Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.
-Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
BOULDER:
Do not wait around for
shooting stars to wish on.
Run so fast and so hard
that every star flies across the sky.
-written and submitted by Jennifer Cofer in Boulder, CO
PONDER:
Here we are, on the edge of a new year and therefore a new "space" for you to explore possibilities. Whether or not resolutions play a role in your new year traditions, I encourage you to ponder Dr. Taylor's advice above and take responsibility for what you bring into this new year. What you BRING will have a much bigger impact on your accomplishments this year than what you merely WISH for.
I am determined to increase my effectiveness in unleashing ripples of potential next year, and I'll soon be asking for your help along the way. Are you in? I hope so, because together we can make a massive impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. Stay tuned...
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Ripples #709: Our Gifts.
Ripples #709: Our Gifts.
For our tribe of 31,655 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/25/2012
PEBBLE:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
-Kahlil Gibran
BOULDER:
Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.
-Emmanuel Swedenborg
PONDER:
As many of us gather to celebrate religious and/or family traditions that involve exchanging gifts, it is important to remember that the most precious gift we have to offer the world is ourselves. I hope you can give your FULL, BEST SELF to those you encounter this week whether they are family, friends, colleagues, neighbors or strangers. And remember that the holidays can be uniquely stressful times, so managed expectations and pre-planned solitude are gifts you can give yourself.
Peace,
Paul
p.s. And a brief yet sincere thank you for the time and energy you have given to me this year by reading and sharing and submitting Ripples. #uRock
For our tribe of 31,655 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/25/2012
PEBBLE:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
-Kahlil Gibran
BOULDER:
Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.
-Emmanuel Swedenborg
PONDER:
As many of us gather to celebrate religious and/or family traditions that involve exchanging gifts, it is important to remember that the most precious gift we have to offer the world is ourselves. I hope you can give your FULL, BEST SELF to those you encounter this week whether they are family, friends, colleagues, neighbors or strangers. And remember that the holidays can be uniquely stressful times, so managed expectations and pre-planned solitude are gifts you can give yourself.
Peace,
Paul
p.s. And a brief yet sincere thank you for the time and energy you have given to me this year by reading and sharing and submitting Ripples. #uRock
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Ripples #708: Strong Spirit.
Ripples #708: Strong Spirit.
For our tribe of 31,664 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/18/2012
PEBBLE:
The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.
-George C. Scott
BOULDER:
Live life fully while you're here.
There's always going to be bad stuff out there.
But here's the amazing thing-
-light trumps darkness every time.
You stick a candle into the dark,
but you can't stick the dark into the light.
-Jodi Picoult
PONDER:
I've had a heavy heart the past few days, and I know many of you have as well. In between some really fun social engagements, I repeatedly found myself somber or sad as I contemplate an appropriate, compassionate response to recent events that are difficult to comprehend. Whenever awful happens (and lately it seems like lots of awful is happening), we have an instinctual desire to protect ourselves and the people we care about. Sometimes, especially when things rattle us to our core, our "fight or flight" response gets ramped up and allow us to say or do things in the heat of the moment that might not represent our best intentions or desires.
I fear that overwhelming grief and frustration can too easily lead to blame games and rash proposals when it seems far more likely to me that causes and solutions are neither obvious nor simple. My hope is that we can take a few deep breaths, allow just a bit more time to grieve, and then engage in constructive dialogue that leads to sustained action. I believe things can and will get better once we are willing to listen compassionately, speak courageously, and work together to identify and implement strategies that will improve our world.
It won't be easy.
It will be worth it.
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of 31,664 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/18/2012
PEBBLE:
The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.
-George C. Scott
BOULDER:
Live life fully while you're here.
There's always going to be bad stuff out there.
But here's the amazing thing-
-light trumps darkness every time.
You stick a candle into the dark,
but you can't stick the dark into the light.
-Jodi Picoult
PONDER:
I've had a heavy heart the past few days, and I know many of you have as well. In between some really fun social engagements, I repeatedly found myself somber or sad as I contemplate an appropriate, compassionate response to recent events that are difficult to comprehend. Whenever awful happens (and lately it seems like lots of awful is happening), we have an instinctual desire to protect ourselves and the people we care about. Sometimes, especially when things rattle us to our core, our "fight or flight" response gets ramped up and allow us to say or do things in the heat of the moment that might not represent our best intentions or desires.
I fear that overwhelming grief and frustration can too easily lead to blame games and rash proposals when it seems far more likely to me that causes and solutions are neither obvious nor simple. My hope is that we can take a few deep breaths, allow just a bit more time to grieve, and then engage in constructive dialogue that leads to sustained action. I believe things can and will get better once we are willing to listen compassionately, speak courageously, and work together to identify and implement strategies that will improve our world.
It won't be easy.
It will be worth it.
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Ripples #707: Collide With Life!
Ripples #707: Collide With Life!
For our tribe of 31,716 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/10/2012
PEBBLE:
Let fate do its job and make time to collide with real life.
-written/submitted by Ryan Kacvinsky in La Crosse, WI
BOULDER:
Live life fully while you're here.
Experience everything.
Take care of yourself and your friends.
Have fun, be crazy, be weird.
Go out and screw up!
You're going to anyway,
so you might as well enjoy the process.
Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes:
find the cause of your problem and eliminate it.
Don't try to be perfect;
just be an excellent example of being human.
-Anthony Robbins, submitted by Paul from North Weymouth, MA
PONDER:
If something or someone has especially excited, delighted, frustrated or scared you this week, it could be a sign that life is inviting you to shake it up a bit. It you're experiencing it as something good, I dare you to increase its impact by savoring the opportunity to, as my awesome buddy Ryan phrased it so eloquently, COLLIDE WITH LIFE. On the other hand, if you're annoyed with the situation: you might want to take a deep breath and consider changing your perspective so that you can recognize (or create) a growth opportunity. Perhaps this is a chance to speak up for yourself OR learn to accept that some things are beyond your control OR maybe it is time to embrace your imperfect, crazy life and see if you can smile/sigh your way to sanity? Decide, then collide!
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of 31,716 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/10/2012
PEBBLE:
Let fate do its job and make time to collide with real life.
-written/submitted by Ryan Kacvinsky in La Crosse, WI
BOULDER:
Live life fully while you're here.
Experience everything.
Take care of yourself and your friends.
Have fun, be crazy, be weird.
Go out and screw up!
You're going to anyway,
so you might as well enjoy the process.
Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes:
find the cause of your problem and eliminate it.
Don't try to be perfect;
just be an excellent example of being human.
-Anthony Robbins, submitted by Paul from North Weymouth, MA
PONDER:
If something or someone has especially excited, delighted, frustrated or scared you this week, it could be a sign that life is inviting you to shake it up a bit. It you're experiencing it as something good, I dare you to increase its impact by savoring the opportunity to, as my awesome buddy Ryan phrased it so eloquently, COLLIDE WITH LIFE. On the other hand, if you're annoyed with the situation: you might want to take a deep breath and consider changing your perspective so that you can recognize (or create) a growth opportunity. Perhaps this is a chance to speak up for yourself OR learn to accept that some things are beyond your control OR maybe it is time to embrace your imperfect, crazy life and see if you can smile/sigh your way to sanity? Decide, then collide!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Ripples #706: Believing vs. Knowing.
Ripples #706: Believing vs. Knowing.
For our tribe of 31,768 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/04/2012
PEBBLE:
Be less certain.
Be more curious.
-Steve Robbins, submitted by Brett in Madison, WI
BOULDER:
People take different roads
seeking fulfillment and happiness.
Just because they're not on your road
doesn't mean they've gotten lost.
-Dalai Lama
PONDER:
Two movies I've seen in the past week have me pondering what I believe and what I know to be true. "The Life of Pi" and "Rise of the Guardians" are amazing and I recommend both highly (see them in 3D if you can--they are each visually stunning without overwhelming). In very different ways, they explore the interplay between faith and facts.
Yesterday I used my iPhone to capture some thoughts that sprang up in the middle of a serene Sunday hike. The transcript would exceed my 60 second rule about the length of these Ripples, but I'll share the link in the hopes that some of you may take 5 minutes to watch: http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=497&m=867&nl=13&s=dfb706258cf0416bd4d6592ffb5ddd13&lid=2470&l=-http--www.youtube.com/watch--Q-v--E-BCaPeoVotZw
If life is too busy for that, at least make an effort this week to be less certain and more curious. For me, for you, and for us all.
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of 31,768 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
12/04/2012
PEBBLE:
Be less certain.
Be more curious.
-Steve Robbins, submitted by Brett in Madison, WI
BOULDER:
People take different roads
seeking fulfillment and happiness.
Just because they're not on your road
doesn't mean they've gotten lost.
-Dalai Lama
PONDER:
Two movies I've seen in the past week have me pondering what I believe and what I know to be true. "The Life of Pi" and "Rise of the Guardians" are amazing and I recommend both highly (see them in 3D if you can--they are each visually stunning without overwhelming). In very different ways, they explore the interplay between faith and facts.
Yesterday I used my iPhone to capture some thoughts that sprang up in the middle of a serene Sunday hike. The transcript would exceed my 60 second rule about the length of these Ripples, but I'll share the link in the hopes that some of you may take 5 minutes to watch: http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=497&m=867&nl=13&s=dfb706258cf0416bd4d6592ffb5ddd13&lid=2470&l=-http--www.youtube.com/watch--Q-v--E-BCaPeoVotZw
If life is too busy for that, at least make an effort this week to be less certain and more curious. For me, for you, and for us all.
Peace,
Paul
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