Ripples #775: Planting Seeds.
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
31 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
Don't judge each day
by the harvest you reap,
but by the seeds that you plant.
-Robert Louis Stevenson, shared by Edna in Oxon Hill, MD
BOULDER:
Every thought is a seed.
If you plant crab apples,
don’t count on harvesting
Golden Delicious.
-Bill Meyer, shared by Amy in Charlotte, NC
PONDER:
While spring takes its sweet time to rev up to full speed, I thought maybe you and I could spend some time this week considering what seeds we could plant now to ensure a bountiful harvest later on:
1. We could plant some kindness with friends or strangers that will sprout karmic blooms just when we need some brightness to appear in our life.
2. Another option could involve planting some discipline in the form of hard work on a project that has been ignored; the rich harvest of success will taste sooo good even if the work isn’t as enjoyable as play time.
3. Finally, we could decide to plant some acorns of forgiveness, letting our soul release long-stored hard feelings towards a person or event from the past. By putting these deep in the ground, they can begin a slow yet powerful transformation from painful memories into sturdy reminders that we often grow stronger from the tough stuff. Acorns become oaks.
Are you in?
Peace,
Paul
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Ripples #774: Smiling!
Ripples #774: Smiling!
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
24 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
Guess why I smile a lot?
Cuz it's worth it.
-Marcel The Shell, shared by Simon in Port Charlotte, FL
BOULDER:
Two of the best things you can pack
each day as you build relationships
is a smile and your manners.
‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way.
-Mitchell Sadowsky, shared by his sister Marla in Vernon County, WI
PONDER:
It probably isn’t surprising to you that happier people smile more than unhappy people. But did you know that there is lots of evidence that in addition to reflecting happiness, smiles can literally CREATE happiness? Shut up, it’s true. You can peek at articles from Scientific American, the Wall Street Journal, and Smithsonian about about the growing evidence that smiles actually improve the mood of the smiler and those around them.
If you happen to be in a good mood right now, be sure to communicate it to yourself and those you encounter with a warm, broad smile. If you aren’t in a particularly happy mood and you would like to be, dare yourself to try “fake smiling” for a few minutes and see if that can’t improve your mood. It is important to remember that happiness isn’t a requirement of every moment of every day; indeed, it is perfectly normal and quite healthy for bouts of frustration and sadness to visit you. The trick is to remember that when you’re finished feeling blechy, something as simple as a smile can help you elevate your spirit.
If you need a help finding your smile, try watching Marcel the Shell, or the sequel which actually ends with the quote we featured in this week's Pebble.
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
24 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
Guess why I smile a lot?
Cuz it's worth it.
-Marcel The Shell, shared by Simon in Port Charlotte, FL
BOULDER:
Two of the best things you can pack
each day as you build relationships
is a smile and your manners.
‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way.
-Mitchell Sadowsky, shared by his sister Marla in Vernon County, WI
PONDER:
It probably isn’t surprising to you that happier people smile more than unhappy people. But did you know that there is lots of evidence that in addition to reflecting happiness, smiles can literally CREATE happiness? Shut up, it’s true. You can peek at articles from Scientific American, the Wall Street Journal, and Smithsonian about about the growing evidence that smiles actually improve the mood of the smiler and those around them.
If you happen to be in a good mood right now, be sure to communicate it to yourself and those you encounter with a warm, broad smile. If you aren’t in a particularly happy mood and you would like to be, dare yourself to try “fake smiling” for a few minutes and see if that can’t improve your mood. It is important to remember that happiness isn’t a requirement of every moment of every day; indeed, it is perfectly normal and quite healthy for bouts of frustration and sadness to visit you. The trick is to remember that when you’re finished feeling blechy, something as simple as a smile can help you elevate your spirit.
If you need a help finding your smile, try watching Marcel the Shell, or the sequel which actually ends with the quote we featured in this week's Pebble.
Peace,
Paul
Monday, March 17, 2014
Ripples #773: Throwing Back.
Ripples #773: Throwing Back.
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
17 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life
with a catchers mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back.
-Maya Angelou, shared by Courtney in San Luis Obispo, CA
BOULDER:
Since you cannot do good to all,
you are to pay special attention
to those who, by the accidents of time,
or place, or circumstances,
are brought into closer connection with you.
-Augustine of Hippo, shared by Ryan in La Crosse, WI
PONDER:
I know you know this, but let’s review:
Life can be awesome, and life can be awful.
No matter how many years you’ve been on this planet, chances are you’ve had lots of good days and more than a few bad days. And while no one else has experienced your unique combination of awesome and awful, it is essential to remember that every single person on this planet has their own mix of good and bad. This is true for each soul you encounter: your closest family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and colleagues as well as the folks you encounter occasionally and even the complete strangers that you’ll cross paths with only once.
I believe the single most powerful thing you can do to improve the world is to consistently keep your eyes and ears open for small opportunities to help the people you encounter in your daily life. A warm smile, a quick favor, even a dallop of extra patience with someone who is “in your way” can be invaluable to someone who is struggling. Your calm presence in someone’s chaotic life can be a godsend, and here is the bonus: It doesn’t just help them, IT HELPS YOU TOO! I know you’ve experienced that feeling of joy that arises when you’re able to lend a hand, and I’m guessing you’ve recognized opportunities to “pay it forward” because others have been there for you in the past.
I’m not here on this planet to TEACH you about the value of creating ripples; I’m just here to remind you that your help is far more precious and valuable than you often realize. Do yourself and others a favor and throw something back today.
Peace,
Paul
P.S. I'll be offline this week, so I'll respond to messages next week!
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
17 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life
with a catchers mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back.
-Maya Angelou, shared by Courtney in San Luis Obispo, CA
BOULDER:
Since you cannot do good to all,
you are to pay special attention
to those who, by the accidents of time,
or place, or circumstances,
are brought into closer connection with you.
-Augustine of Hippo, shared by Ryan in La Crosse, WI
PONDER:
I know you know this, but let’s review:
Life can be awesome, and life can be awful.
No matter how many years you’ve been on this planet, chances are you’ve had lots of good days and more than a few bad days. And while no one else has experienced your unique combination of awesome and awful, it is essential to remember that every single person on this planet has their own mix of good and bad. This is true for each soul you encounter: your closest family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and colleagues as well as the folks you encounter occasionally and even the complete strangers that you’ll cross paths with only once.
I believe the single most powerful thing you can do to improve the world is to consistently keep your eyes and ears open for small opportunities to help the people you encounter in your daily life. A warm smile, a quick favor, even a dallop of extra patience with someone who is “in your way” can be invaluable to someone who is struggling. Your calm presence in someone’s chaotic life can be a godsend, and here is the bonus: It doesn’t just help them, IT HELPS YOU TOO! I know you’ve experienced that feeling of joy that arises when you’re able to lend a hand, and I’m guessing you’ve recognized opportunities to “pay it forward” because others have been there for you in the past.
I’m not here on this planet to TEACH you about the value of creating ripples; I’m just here to remind you that your help is far more precious and valuable than you often realize. Do yourself and others a favor and throw something back today.
Peace,
Paul
P.S. I'll be offline this week, so I'll respond to messages next week!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Ripples #772: Your Astonishing Light.
Ripples #772: Your Astonishing Light.
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
10 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
I wish I could show you
when you are lonely or in darkness
the astonishing light of your being.
-Hafiz, shared by Pat, at Bruegger's in Cincinnati, OH
BOULDER:
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy ~ the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
-Brene Brown (The Gifts of Imperfection), shared by Carol in New Jersey
PONDER:
Some day soon
I shall invent a pair of glasses
that allows you to look in the mirror
and see the splendiferous magnificence
that we see each time
we glance in your direction.
Until then,
I hope you can believe me when I say:
you matter, and you rock.
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
10 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
I wish I could show you
when you are lonely or in darkness
the astonishing light of your being.
-Hafiz, shared by Pat, at Bruegger's in Cincinnati, OH
BOULDER:
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy ~ the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
-Brene Brown (The Gifts of Imperfection), shared by Carol in New Jersey
PONDER:
Some day soon
I shall invent a pair of glasses
that allows you to look in the mirror
and see the splendiferous magnificence
that we see each time
we glance in your direction.
Until then,
I hope you can believe me when I say:
you matter, and you rock.
Peace,
Paul
Monday, March 3, 2014
Ripples #771: Only Joy.
Ripples #771: Only Joy.
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
3 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
Your success and happiness lies in you.
Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you
shall form an invincible host against difficulties.
-Helen Keller, shared by Sara in New Virginia, IA
BOULDERS:
When you have survived ambition and learned to live simply, when you have surrendered to the inevitability of diminishment and loss, and when you have become impervious to regret and the sting of other people’s opinions, what is left? I took my question to the river, and the reply I received was beyond expectation. “Joy”, the river whispered to me. “Only joy.”
-Carol Orsborn, Editor-in-Chief of Fierce with Age, shared by Deb in Whitewater, WI
PONDER:
Last week's Ripples, "Embracing Change," was about moving ever upward and onward. I thought I’d balance that with some thoughts about stillness and presence because sometimes I think we get really caught up in MOVING FAST and FINDING WHAT’S NEXT. If we forget to be careful and conscious, we might miss out on the astonishing joy available to us even in the midst of our hustle bustle lives that are crammed with chaos.
Whatever bumpiness and grumpiness you encounter this week, strive to keep a smile in your soul along with a persistent awareness that HERE matters more than THERE, and NOW matters more than THEN. I'm hoping you'll discover more joy than you've previously noticed.
Peace,
Paul
For our tribe of busy people who believe in
unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!
3 Mar 2014
PEBBLE:
Your success and happiness lies in you.
Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you
shall form an invincible host against difficulties.
-Helen Keller, shared by Sara in New Virginia, IA
BOULDERS:
When you have survived ambition and learned to live simply, when you have surrendered to the inevitability of diminishment and loss, and when you have become impervious to regret and the sting of other people’s opinions, what is left? I took my question to the river, and the reply I received was beyond expectation. “Joy”, the river whispered to me. “Only joy.”
-Carol Orsborn, Editor-in-Chief of Fierce with Age, shared by Deb in Whitewater, WI
PONDER:
Last week's Ripples, "Embracing Change," was about moving ever upward and onward. I thought I’d balance that with some thoughts about stillness and presence because sometimes I think we get really caught up in MOVING FAST and FINDING WHAT’S NEXT. If we forget to be careful and conscious, we might miss out on the astonishing joy available to us even in the midst of our hustle bustle lives that are crammed with chaos.
Whatever bumpiness and grumpiness you encounter this week, strive to keep a smile in your soul along with a persistent awareness that HERE matters more than THERE, and NOW matters more than THEN. I'm hoping you'll discover more joy than you've previously noticed.
Peace,
Paul
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