Ripples #714: Making The World Awesome!
For our tribe of 31,418 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
01/28/2013
PEBBLE:
The world gets better
whenever we risk something
to make it better.
-Paulo Coelho (adapted), shared by Sara in Cincinnati, OH
BOULDER:
Go out and make a difference
in your community.
You don't need endless time
and perfect conditions.
Do it now.
Do it today.
Do it for twenty minutes and
watch your heart start beating.
-Barbara Sher
PONDER:
"I think we all need a pep talk."
These are the first words of a short and sweet YouTube video I stumbled upon at 3:30am Saturday morning (don't ask). Like many of my fellow Ripplers, I have seen my share of upbeat, quirky, inspiring videos; this one...well, you really need to see it for yourself. Really. I predict you'll never be able to look at Robert Frost or "Space Jam" the same again, nor will you respond to tough stuff without wondering whether you should CRY or DANCE.
An earnest and passionate (and adorable) "Kid President" plays the role of inspirer-in-chief as he challenges us to "make the world awesome." He even tells us why this is so important: "It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance."
So please, take a moment to watch the video and decide if you are brave enough to "stop being boring!" If you like it as much as I do I hope you'll consider sharing with your friends, family, classmates, and colleagues. And after you do that, make sure you do a little dance.
A Pep Talk from Kid President to You: http://youtu.be/l-gQLqv9f4o
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Ripples #713: Illumination!
Ripples #713: Illumination!
For our tribe of 31,491 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
01/22/2013
PEBBLE:
Everything that we see is a shadow
cast by that which we do not see.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
BOULDER:
Hatred and bitterness
can never cure the disease of fear;
only love can do that.
Hatred paralyzes life;
love releases it.
Hatred confuses life;
love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life;
love illuminates it.
-Martin Luther King, Jr., shared by Myke in New Orleans, LA
PONDER:
As our nation pauses to reflect on the contributions of Dr. King AND to recognize President Obama's second inauguration, I pray that we can all aspire to find the courage for compassionate engagement in the challenging policy discussions around guns, budgets, civil rights, and other issues of the day. Sometimes there is so much that divides us that we seem to forget how much we have in common. It takes patience, humility, and LOTS of courage to focus first on how another person sees things; the result can often open hearts and minds, making it easier to then illuminate your own perspective.
Please, I urge you to commit to some action this week that will help illuminate our community and diminish the shadows. Think it, feel it, and DO IT!
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of 31,491 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
01/22/2013
PEBBLE:
Everything that we see is a shadow
cast by that which we do not see.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
BOULDER:
Hatred and bitterness
can never cure the disease of fear;
only love can do that.
Hatred paralyzes life;
love releases it.
Hatred confuses life;
love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life;
love illuminates it.
-Martin Luther King, Jr., shared by Myke in New Orleans, LA
PONDER:
As our nation pauses to reflect on the contributions of Dr. King AND to recognize President Obama's second inauguration, I pray that we can all aspire to find the courage for compassionate engagement in the challenging policy discussions around guns, budgets, civil rights, and other issues of the day. Sometimes there is so much that divides us that we seem to forget how much we have in common. It takes patience, humility, and LOTS of courage to focus first on how another person sees things; the result can often open hearts and minds, making it easier to then illuminate your own perspective.
Please, I urge you to commit to some action this week that will help illuminate our community and diminish the shadows. Think it, feel it, and DO IT!
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Ripples #712: The Whole of Life!
Ripples #712: The Whole of Life!
For our tribe of 31,542 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
01/14/2013
PEBBLE:
A great life is the sum total
of all the worthwhile things
you've been doing one by one.
-Richard Bach
BOULDER:
You must understand the whole of life,
not just one little part of it.
That is why you must read,
that is why you must look at the skies,
that is why you must sing and dance
and write poems and suffer and understand,
for all that is life.
-J. Krishnamurti
PONDER:
14 years ago today we put together the very first Ripples email for the 75 people who agreed to help me experiment with a quick splash of Monday morning inspiration. We had no idea that tens of thousands of people would eventually join our tribe of happy ripplers, but even back then we knew that it was important to focus on the gigantic potential held within even the teeniest actions.
The same is true about life....the biggest answers to the biggest questions are often found in the smallest of places and within the smallest of actions. If you are seeking big solutions to big challenges, perhaps you could divert your attention to the smaller things for a bit. Let your spirit meander with some music, poetry, or a walk in nature. Some fresh perspective may unexpectedly arise, or at least you'll have taken a break and can return to the big stuff with a refreshed outlook.
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of 31,542 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
01/14/2013
PEBBLE:
A great life is the sum total
of all the worthwhile things
you've been doing one by one.
-Richard Bach
BOULDER:
You must understand the whole of life,
not just one little part of it.
That is why you must read,
that is why you must look at the skies,
that is why you must sing and dance
and write poems and suffer and understand,
for all that is life.
-J. Krishnamurti
PONDER:
14 years ago today we put together the very first Ripples email for the 75 people who agreed to help me experiment with a quick splash of Monday morning inspiration. We had no idea that tens of thousands of people would eventually join our tribe of happy ripplers, but even back then we knew that it was important to focus on the gigantic potential held within even the teeniest actions.
The same is true about life....the biggest answers to the biggest questions are often found in the smallest of places and within the smallest of actions. If you are seeking big solutions to big challenges, perhaps you could divert your attention to the smaller things for a bit. Let your spirit meander with some music, poetry, or a walk in nature. Some fresh perspective may unexpectedly arise, or at least you'll have taken a break and can return to the big stuff with a refreshed outlook.
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Ripples #711: A Drop of YOU!
Ripples #711: A Drop of YOU!
For our tribe of 31,559 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
01/08/2013
PEBBLE:
You are not a drop in the ocean;
you are the entire ocean, in a drop.
-Rumi
BOULDER:
The world was made with a you-shaped hole in it.
In that way you are important.
In that way you are here to make the world.
In that way you are called.
-Tara Sophia Mohr, submitted by Sandra in Glastonbury, CT
PONDER:
We made it! We've dived into 2013 without cliff falling or world ending or anything else too crazy. Of course there are challenges to face and difficulties to overcome; but there are also lessons to learn and adventures to seize.
The world desperately needs your particular talents so take a quick breath if you need to, but really soon that you-shaped hole that Tara Sophia Mohr spoke of needs to be filled with the drop of YOU that Rumi speaks of. C'mon in and make a splash!
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of 31,559 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
01/08/2013
PEBBLE:
You are not a drop in the ocean;
you are the entire ocean, in a drop.
-Rumi
BOULDER:
The world was made with a you-shaped hole in it.
In that way you are important.
In that way you are here to make the world.
In that way you are called.
-Tara Sophia Mohr, submitted by Sandra in Glastonbury, CT
PONDER:
We made it! We've dived into 2013 without cliff falling or world ending or anything else too crazy. Of course there are challenges to face and difficulties to overcome; but there are also lessons to learn and adventures to seize.
The world desperately needs your particular talents so take a quick breath if you need to, but really soon that you-shaped hole that Tara Sophia Mohr spoke of needs to be filled with the drop of YOU that Rumi speaks of. C'mon in and make a splash!
Peace,
Paul
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