Ripples #718: Treasures of Kindness.
For our tribe of 31,151 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/26/2013
PEBBLE:
It's the kindness of giving,
without wanting something in return,
that makes us happy.
-Heidrun K. in Nairobi, shared by Deb in Philadelphia, PA
BOULDER:
Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness.
Know how to give without hesitation,
how to lose without regret,
how to acquire without meanness.
-George Sand, shared by Stacy in Hilbert, WI
PONDER:
Back when we started sending out these Ripples emails 14 years ago, a significant motivation was to remind people about the enormous power hidden within our everyday actions. I didn't think of it as *teaching* kindness: the remarkable people drawn to Ripples already know how essential and awesome kindness is. My intention was, and is, to be a soft whisper reminding us that even our smallest acts of kindness, joy, and encouragement feed the soul of the giver as much as they benefit the recipient.
A few years ago we unleashed a handful of $100 uRock! grants (uRock = unleashing Ripples of compassion + kindness) to increase the flow of generosity. The response was fantastic, and it will soon be time to unleash some more ripples! In the meantime, let me ask you this: if you were given $100 and an opportunity to invest your time, energy, and creativity, how might you unleash kindness? I'll be seeking your ideas and feedback via our Facebook page, so be sure to connect with us there: http://www.facebook.com/TheRipplesGuy
Peace,
Paul
P.S. You can read about some of our previous experiments here:
http://www.facebook.com/TheRipplesGuy/posts/10151326319163226
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Ripples #717: Mini-Puzzles!
Ripples #717: Mini-Puzzles!
For our tribe of 31,176 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/19/2013
PEBBLE:
If you find a path with no obstacles,
it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
-Frank A Clark, shared by Susan in Woodland, CA
BOULDER:
It's life's complexities
that make it fun;
mini-puzzles all over the place
just waiting to be skillfully solved!
-written and shared by Holly from South Jersey
PONDER:
Life ain't always easy.
Depending upon what your life is currently like, your reaction to this statement could range anywhere from a slight nod and shrug all the way up to a sarcastic, "Duh!" or maybe even all the way to screaming, "TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW, AND THEN TELL ME HOW TO FIX MY CRAPPY LIFE!"
The bad news is that I don't likely have the answers to fix all the challenges you're facing right now. The good news is that there are more answers within you than you might realize, and one of the most useful way to transform obstacles into opportunities is to change how you view them. The trick is to tweak your attitude just a bit; shift your perspective enough to see your current difficulties as mini-puzzles that, once solved, will help you acquire new skills. The bigger the puzzle, the more difficult this can be AND the more lessons you can learn from it. Of course, shifting your attitude alone won't solve the puzzles. It will, however, unlock significant internal resources to help you get started.
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of 31,176 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/19/2013
PEBBLE:
If you find a path with no obstacles,
it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
-Frank A Clark, shared by Susan in Woodland, CA
BOULDER:
It's life's complexities
that make it fun;
mini-puzzles all over the place
just waiting to be skillfully solved!
-written and shared by Holly from South Jersey
PONDER:
Life ain't always easy.
Depending upon what your life is currently like, your reaction to this statement could range anywhere from a slight nod and shrug all the way up to a sarcastic, "Duh!" or maybe even all the way to screaming, "TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW, AND THEN TELL ME HOW TO FIX MY CRAPPY LIFE!"
The bad news is that I don't likely have the answers to fix all the challenges you're facing right now. The good news is that there are more answers within you than you might realize, and one of the most useful way to transform obstacles into opportunities is to change how you view them. The trick is to tweak your attitude just a bit; shift your perspective enough to see your current difficulties as mini-puzzles that, once solved, will help you acquire new skills. The bigger the puzzle, the more difficult this can be AND the more lessons you can learn from it. Of course, shifting your attitude alone won't solve the puzzles. It will, however, unlock significant internal resources to help you get started.
Peace,
Paul
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Ripples #716: Loving to Love.
Ripples #716: Loving to Love.
For our tribe of 31,234 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/11/2013
PEBBLE:
Sow love. Grow love. Know love.
-source unknown, shared by Nathan in Madison, WI
BOULDER:
Love is always bestowed as a gift-
freely, willingly,
and without expectation.
We don't love to be loved;
we love to love.
-Leo F. Buscaglia
PONDER:
Over the past 14 years of sending out Ripples, we've often chosen a "love" theme for the second week of February even though not everyone *loves* Valentine's Day. In previous issues I've repeatedly suggested we focus less on the "buy your sweetie some candy" aspect of what some may view as a contrived holiday, and instead ponder the extraordinary opportunities that exist in recognizing and appreciating love.
Look beyond your Facebook relationship status and notice who, or what, has allowed love to flourish in your heart this year AND what connections might improve if you shared more love. Whether it is a romantic connection, family member, friend, colleague, neighbor, pet, or maybe even a favorite tree in your favorite park, do something to honor LOVE this week.
Peace,
Paul
P.S. I hope you love receiving Ripples as much as I love coordinating them. I love it, and I love you, too!
For our tribe of 31,234 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/11/2013
PEBBLE:
Sow love. Grow love. Know love.
-source unknown, shared by Nathan in Madison, WI
BOULDER:
Love is always bestowed as a gift-
freely, willingly,
and without expectation.
We don't love to be loved;
we love to love.
-Leo F. Buscaglia
PONDER:
Over the past 14 years of sending out Ripples, we've often chosen a "love" theme for the second week of February even though not everyone *loves* Valentine's Day. In previous issues I've repeatedly suggested we focus less on the "buy your sweetie some candy" aspect of what some may view as a contrived holiday, and instead ponder the extraordinary opportunities that exist in recognizing and appreciating love.
Look beyond your Facebook relationship status and notice who, or what, has allowed love to flourish in your heart this year AND what connections might improve if you shared more love. Whether it is a romantic connection, family member, friend, colleague, neighbor, pet, or maybe even a favorite tree in your favorite park, do something to honor LOVE this week.
Peace,
Paul
P.S. I hope you love receiving Ripples as much as I love coordinating them. I love it, and I love you, too!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Ripples #715: Smart Cookie!
Ripples #715: Smart Cookie!
For our tribe of 31,322 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/05/2013
PEBBLE:
You can't be a smart cookie
if you have a crummy attitude.
-John Maxwell, shared by Sue in Lincoln, NE
BOULDER:
I am determined to be cheerful and happy
in whatever situation I may find myself.
For I have learned that the greater part
of our misery or unhappiness is determined
not by our circumstance but by our disposition.
-Martha Washington, shared by Nick in New Jersey
PONDER:
We all have crummy days, that is for sure. The trick is not to crumble when you encounter them. I don't know if you have to follow Ms. Washington's strategy of ALWAYS striving for cheerful and happy, because sometimes tears need to be shed and frustration needs to be vented.
Just remember that you need to put your bestest, highest self in charge of choosing the best mood for the occasion. Avoid getting TRAPPED in grief or anger and remember that at some point it can be useful to jump up, dust yourself off, and remember what a smart cookie you really are.
Peace,
Paul
p.s. I apologize if, like me, this week's theme instills in you a temptation to devour sweets.
*****
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The Ripples Guy is eager to provide this free splash of inspiration to whomever
needs it, so please share this if you like it (yay, karma!).
For our tribe of 31,322 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/05/2013
PEBBLE:
You can't be a smart cookie
if you have a crummy attitude.
-John Maxwell, shared by Sue in Lincoln, NE
BOULDER:
I am determined to be cheerful and happy
in whatever situation I may find myself.
For I have learned that the greater part
of our misery or unhappiness is determined
not by our circumstance but by our disposition.
-Martha Washington, shared by Nick in New Jersey
PONDER:
We all have crummy days, that is for sure. The trick is not to crumble when you encounter them. I don't know if you have to follow Ms. Washington's strategy of ALWAYS striving for cheerful and happy, because sometimes tears need to be shed and frustration needs to be vented.
Just remember that you need to put your bestest, highest self in charge of choosing the best mood for the occasion. Avoid getting TRAPPED in grief or anger and remember that at some point it can be useful to jump up, dust yourself off, and remember what a smart cookie you really are.
Peace,
Paul
p.s. I apologize if, like me, this week's theme instills in you a temptation to devour sweets.
*****
Ripples: Free weekly splash of inspiration.
http://TheRipplesProject.org/Newsletter.php
To CHANGE EMAIL:
http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=506&m=876&nl=13&s=dfb706258cf0416bd4d6592ffb5ddd13&lid=2579&l=-http--theripplesproject.org/12all/p_m.php--Q-nl--E-13--A-c--E-506--A-m--E-876--A-s--E-dfb706258cf0416bd4d6592ffb5ddd13
To UNSUBSCRIBE:
http://theripplesproject.org/12all/box.php?nl=13&c=506&m=876&s=dfb706258cf0416bd4d6592ffb5ddd13&funcml=unsub2
Get more Ripples here:
Facebook: http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=506&m=876&nl=13&s=dfb706258cf0416bd4d6592ffb5ddd13&lid=2572&l=-http--Facebook.com/TheRipplesGuy
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/UnleashRipples
If you have trouble unsubscribing,
reply to this message and I will
personally assist you.
Or you can mail us at:
The Ripples Project,
1360 Regent St., Madison WI 53715
The Ripples Guy is eager to provide this free splash of inspiration to whomever
needs it, so please share this if you like it (yay, karma!).
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