Ripples #792: The Ecstasy of Today!

Ripples #792: The Ecstasy of Today!
A splash of inspiration
from The Ripples Guy
28 July 2014

PEBBLE:
Get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted.  Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually.
-Abraham Joshua Heschel

BOULDER:
This is the gift—
to have the wonderful capacity
to appreciate again and again,
freshly and naively,
the basic goods of life,
with awe, pleasure, wonder,
and even ecstasy.
-Abraham Maslow

PONDER:
While you are kicking off what I sincerely hope will be a day/week filled with ecstasy, I would like to share some news with you about the future of Ripples.  Since 1999 we have steadily grown from our original 75 readers (some of whom are still with us!) to our current batch of over 27,000.  Over the last 12 months we have hit a major roadbump as we are increasingly labeled as spam.  We’ve lost over 4,000 subscribers that didn’t CHOOSE to unsubscribe, and many new subscribers are consistently finding Ripples in their spam/junk folder.

We considered moving away from email delivery and just posting Ripples via social media and blogging platforms, but ultimately determined that enough people still prefer to find Ripples in their email inbox on Monday mornings.  So, in a few weeks we will transition to a new platform that is significantly more expensive (a few hundred dollars a MONTH vs. a few hundred dollars a YEAR), but will ultimately provide a reliable way to continue our legacy of inspirational splashes.  And let’s face it:  you’re worth it.

Your patience and persistence will be kindly requested as transitions such as this invariably encounter road bumps. Or perhaps “dams” or “rapids” if we’re sticking with the water metaphor? I’ll share more information soon.

Peace,
Paul
((( The Ripples Guy )))

P.S. If you are reading THIS message, you may be one of the people who have signed up for our temporary "text-blog" version of Ripples to get you through the transition.  Please know:  HELP IS ON THE WAY and within a few weeks you will be the FIRST to get a peek at our new design/layout and test drive the new sending method.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE THUS FAR!

Ripples #787: Being Alive!

Ripples #787: Being Alive!
A splash of inspiration
from The Ripples Guy
23 June 2014

PEBBLE:
I don't believe people are looking
for the meaning of life
as much as they are looking
for the experience of being alive.
-Joseph Campbell

BOULDER:
Lean forward into your life...
catch the best bits
and the finest wind.
Just tip your feathers
in flight a wee bit
and see how dramatically
that small lean
can change your life.
-Mary Anne Radmacher, shared by Stephanie in Tampa, FL

PONDER:
The last few days of speaking before my summer retreat began have been crazy AND I loved every minute of hanging out with the folks at Covance, and Promega, and Organic Valley (welcome to a few hundred new ripplers!!).  In several of the presentations I showed a video about AWE that really had me thinking about how and when I most passionately experience BEING ALIVE.  It happens when I’m doing good work; it happens when I’m hanging with people who are capable of meeting me right where I am AND inviting me to grow into the newest version of my best self; and finally, it sometimes happens when I create the space and time to be alone to rest my mind and renew my spirit.

I invite you to make time for this video RIGHT NOW, and be really curious about how you can increase your awareness and enjoyment of BEING ALIVE.  At work or at home, with people or alone, just make sure your experiment allows you to experience what Jason Silva describes in the video as “the hardly bearable ecstasy of direct energy exploding on your nerve endings.”  I know, right?  Just try it for me.  And for you. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QyVZrV3d3o

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v6.46: Ripples of WONDER!

Ripples v6.46: Ripples of WONDER!
Monday, December 6, 2004
Your FREE Weekly Splash of Inspiration from Paul & The Ripples Project

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

The wonder that shows itself today, tomorrow, and yesterday can never be relived.
Once you understand this, life can get a whole lot more interesting.
-Bernard S. King , submitted by John M., Mt Horeb WI.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

May your mind forever sparkle like a star,
your heart remain pure as new fallen snow, and
your spirit forever sense the wonderment of a child.
-Mary Summer Rain, submitted by Melanie H., Central CIty, IA

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

This week I traveled to the Pacific Northwest to participate in two different events for \"professional helpers.\" Both audiences were filled with remarkable souls who consistently strive to help other people improve their lives. Sometimes, of course, we helpers forget our own needs, and this week I\'d like you to focus on a powerful antidote to burnout: wonder. Can you find something that takes your mind off all the challenges and stress you\'re currently facing? Maybe watching a sunset, strolling through an art museum, or reading an inspirational book/movie/song can help you experience WOW! and allow your soul to refuel.

If you have suggestions on great ways to experience wonder, please help your fellow ripplers by posting a message here:
http://TheRipplesProject.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=451#451

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.03: Ripples of INSPIRATION!

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-Albert Einstein, submitted by Paula G., Orlando, Florida

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Life is happening right now.
This is the real thing.
It's time to stop planning, postponing and hoping.
It's time to stop talking about a dream and start doing a dream.
-source unknown, submitted by Debbie R., Exeter, New Hampshire

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

To the 200 people who purchased goodies at The Ripples Project
website in 2002, Leslie & I say THANK YOU!

To the 7,800 other member of The Ripples Project: We need your help!
The Ripples Project has no need to make a profit, but we do need to
raise about $15,000 a year to cover expenses to maintain the website
and create products. If each of you just makes ONE purchase this
year, we will more than cover that amount!

Can you help us, please? At least take a peek and see if anything
interests you!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm

Thanks!

Paul
editor, Ripples

eRipples v4.48: Ripples of PAUSE!

WOOHOO! This is our 200th issue of eRipples!
Check out our archives: http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/eRipples

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

He who can no longer pause to wonder and
stand rapt in awe is as good as dead....
-Albert Einstein, submitted by Mary G., Madison, Wisconsin

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

When you are inspired by some great purpose,
some extraordinary project,
all your thoughts break their bonds:

Your mind transcends limitation,
your consciousness expands in every direction,
and you find yourself in a
new, great and wonderful world.

Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive,
and you discover yourself to be
a greater person by far
than you ever dreamed yourself to be.
-Patanjali, submitted by "Dancer1700"

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

This week I begin what may be the greatest adventure of my life. By the
time you read this, I will have silenced my mobile phone, shut off my computer, and put
my mail on hold. I have packed up a month's supplies and am traveling far away from
the craziness of my life. I am pressing PAUSE on the DVD of my life for a few weeks so
that I can "stand rapt in awe" as Einstein says above.

I have stored up a few ripples which Leslie will send out each Monday during my travels. There is a small chance I will update you "from the road" but most likely I will return in January with a calmed heart, peaceful soul, and ready to resume my life again. I promise to share stories then!

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v4.33: Ripples of MOMENTS!

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.
-source unknown, submitted by Colleen B., Milwaukee WI

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

You haven't lived
until you've learned
to treasure
every moment given;
to realize
that the slightest touch
may hold
a hidden heaven
-Kay Wrightman, submitted by Diane W., Carbondale IL

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

I began last week in the Great Smoky Mountains where I helped
University of North Carolina-Asheville welcome their new students. I
then dashed off to the Rocky Mountains to infuse some energy into
student leaders at University of Colorado - Boulder, Weber State
University, and Salt Lake Community College. After giving so many
presentations in one week, they started to melt together into one big
pile of "stuff." What stands out clearly, though, are small moments
at each place that allowed me to survive and thrive in the midst of
my travels. Most of these moments came in between presentations when
I was having lunch or just hanging out with a few participants: funny
comments, deep discussions, and even a moment of silence while we
stared at the mountains. I feel richer for these moments that are
captured like digital snapshots in my mind, knowing that long after I
am back home in my own bed with a normal schedule I will be able to
recall these moments with a smile!

Choose one: either reflect back on YOUR previous week and try to
recall some unexpected moments of joy that are worth savoring, OR
commit yourself to creating a few this week!

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v4.24: Ripples of SUMMER!

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

You haven't lived until you've learned to treasure every moment given,
to realize that the slightest touch may hold a hidden heaven.
-Kay Wrightman, submitted by Diane

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

I have observed the power of the watermelon seed.
It has the power of drawing from the ground and through itself
200,000 times its weight.
When you can tell me how it takes this material and out of it colors
an outside surface beyond the imitation of art, and then forms inside
of it a white rind and within that again a red heart, thickly inlaid
with black seeds, each one of which in turn is capable of drawing
through itself 200,000 times its weight-when you can explain to me
the mystery of the watermelon, you can ask me to explain the mystery
of God.
-William Jennings Bryan, submitted by Linda


=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Summer officially arrives this week, although some spots have already
had many weeks of warm sunshine. A few hundred eRipples subscribers
and I were down in New Orleans last week for CUNA Mutual Group's
annual Discovery Conference and while the theme of the awesome event
was "Unlock the Power," I'm pretty sure the theme of New Orleans was
"HOT & HUMID!'

Do not forget to enjoy the summer, even if you have to be inside most
of the day. Come up with some excuse, some errand, SOMETHING to get
you outside so the sun can kiss you!

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v4.14: Ripples of AHHHHHHHHH!

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words?
-Marcel Marceau, submitted by E.R.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Remember:
Life is not measured
by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments
that take our breath away.
-source unknown, submitted by Ken

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

I was excited this week to spend a few days with some of my favorite
training colleagues at a leadership conference in Miami. On Saturday
a few of us slipped away from the conference for dinner and a walk
along the oceanfront. I thought our remarkable evening couldn't get
any better, but then we boarded a huge sailboat for a one hour tour
of the harbor. Moving away from the tourist-filled marketplace and
seeing the nighttime skyline glow with a million lights on a perfect
evening (well, we were wrapped in blankets!) was magnificent! At one
point on our way back towards the dock I noticed the person sitting
next to me staring off into the star-filled sky. I said, "Jacquett,
are you okay?" She responded, "Oh yes, I am just taking in the
moment."

I joined her in a few moments of silence (a rare moment in my world
to be silent around people!) and found the evening raised to a level
of, well, of simply AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I hope you can find a moment to find an AHHHHHHHHH this week!

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v4.12: Ripples of NOT WINNING!

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLE =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

Eventually you learn that the competition
is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit.
-George Sheehan, submitted by Brian

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win but think you can't,
its almost a cinch you wont.
If you think you'll lose, your lost.
For out in the world we find SUCCESS begins with a person's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself
before you can ever win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster person.
But sooner or later, the person who wins is the person who thinks they can.
-C.W. Longenecker, submitted by Elayne

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PONDER =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

This week I went from the dramatic coast of Maine where I was hanging
out with a fun crew of college food service folks to the amazing
mountains of Utah and a fun crew of credit union folks! I fully
intended to spend my Sunday evening glued to the television to see
who won an Oscar....but alas, I was distracted by the Wasatch
Mountains and I ended up taking a 30 minute train ride that stretched
into a 5 hour evening of staring down into the valley, lost in the
beauty of a sunset that melted every ounce of stress in my soul!

I don't even need to know who won on TV, because I know that I won
right here! I won an amazing opportunity to sit back, relax, and not
care about anything other than the mountains, the sunset, and the
lights of Salt Lake City!

If you're feeling like you've been racing and racing and racing and
racing......maybe you need to do something to just get off the track,
and forget about winning!

Peace,
Paul