Ripples #638: Good Friends!

Ripples #638: Good Friends.
For our tribe of 27,834 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Aug 8, 2011

PEBBLE:
A good friend is a connection to life:
a tie to the past, a road to the future,
the key to sanity in a totally insane world.
-Lois Wyse, submitted by Juls in Los Angeles, CA

BOULDER:
I have come to the realization that friends
are the only true staple in life.
More than food, they sustain us
as we hike that trail of life,
taking the road less traveled,
and more than water
they quench our thirst,
our thirst for living,
our thirst for life.
-written/submitted by Amy Williams in Waukesha, WI

PONDER:
I am still savoring a week filled with GOOD FRIENDS! First I helped my old
and new friends at Central Michigan University get ready for their 14th
annual Leadership Safari .  While there I shared a few meals with my dear friend and fellow trainer,
Maura Cullen.

I ended the crazyfun week with three of my grad school buddies who
converged with their families on nearby Lansing for a weekend of chatting
and eating and swimming and dancing around the living room. We laughed
ourselves silly and we loved it so much we planned our 2012 adventure before
we hugged out our goodbyes.

Good friends are rare and precious gems and should be treated as such. I
invite you to reach out to one or more of your friends this week and remind
them how much you treasure having them in your life.

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v10.29: Friends!

Ripples v10.29: Friends!
July 21, 2008: a free weekly splash to 20,081 subscribers
from Paul & The Ripples Project

__PEBBLE _________________________________

The more I think about it, the more I realize
there is nothing more artistic than to love others.
-Vincent Van Gogh, submitted by Aja H., Washington DC

__BOULDER _________________________________

Have friends.
They are a second being.
To a friend,
all friends are good and wise.
When you are with them,
all turns out well.
-Baltasar Gracian, submitted by Samantha T., Milwaukee WI

__PONDER _________________________________

I have just finished a most artful week of FRIENDS!

I began my journey with a stop in Illinois to reconnect with a childhood classmate and a brief pause in Indiana for a squeeze from a longtime training colleague (and most excellent hugger!). On Thursday I made some new connections at the Jennings County United Way before heading to Cincinnati for a weekend reunion with grad school buddies and their ebullient families. I finished the weekend bonding with my bestest best bubba. While I have known them all for different lengths of time, I am so honored to call all of these remarkable people my FRIENDS!

This bounty of friendship reminds me that among our most precious resources are the deep and satisfying connections we make with others. Can you take a moment right now to contact a dear friend or two who might enjoying hearing how much you appreciate having them in your life?

Thinking about it is good; actually doing it could be more wondrous and magical than you expect.

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v10.09: Magnetic Kindness!

Ripples v10.09: Magnetic Kindness!
Mar 3, 2008: a free weekly splash to 18,141 subscribers
from Paul & The Ripples Project

____________________PEBBLES ____________________

Good friends are like stars.
You don't always see them,
but you know they're always there.
-source unknown, submitted magnetically!

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
-Marcel Proust, submitted magnetically!

____________________BOULDER ____________________

Too often we underestimate
the power of a touch, a smile,
a kind word, a listening ear,
an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential
to turn a life around.
-Leo Buscaglia, submitted magnetically!

____________________PONDER ____________________

Kindness is not only Ripply, it is magnetic!!

A few weeks ago I asked Ripplers to send inspirational magnets to decorate my front door. I received several really great ones! I added a couple myself, and the end result was just what I was seeking: an inspirational and indeed Ripply entrance to my home. The unexpected bonus treat is that I get to think of YOU every time I come home! Thanks to those of you who sent magnets, and to all of you who over the past 10 years have shared inspirational quotes and kind words via email. I treasure each one!

I am attempting to attach a photo to this week's issue so you can see the door. I also uploaded a high resolution to Flickr in case you want to be able to READ each magnet:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ripples_guy/2304133785/sizes/l/

Peace,
Paul
p.s. My apologies for forgetting WHO submitted these quotes....I already had them on the door when I brainstormed using them as this week's Ripples quotes!

_________RIPPLY DETAILS___________

SUBSCRIBE FREE.
http://TheRipplesProject.org/Newsletter.php

SUBMIT.
Send quote with the source (if known),
your first name, last initial and where you
live with SUBMISSION in the subject line.

CHANGE ADDRESS.
Unsubscribe your old address below AND
see directions above to add your new address

ARCHIVES.
http://TheRipplesProject.org/Newsletter.php

We Love FACEBOOK!
http://FACEBOOK.com/group.php?gid=2204886661


To Unsubscribe, please click here :
http://www.theripplesproject.org/12all/box.php?funcml=unsub2&nl=currentnl&mi=currentmesg&email=subscriberemail

Ripples v8.23: Ripples of FRIENDPRINTS!

Ripples v8.23: Ripples of FRIENDPRINTS!
6/5/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

Life without friendship is like the sky without sun.
-source unknown, submitted by Noel R., Milwaukee WI

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

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime,
so let me say before we part:
So much of me is made of what I learned from you.
You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart,
and now whatever way our stories end,
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.
-from the Broadway musical "Wicked", submitted by Samantha T., Green Bay WI

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

I enjoy being able to tell all of you about my fun adventures in life and I appreciate that I can also share the challenges.

Well, last week was completely blechy. And let me be clear: by blechy I mean painful, scary, exhausting, draining, awful. I will spare you the gory details; instead I want to describe how magnificent it was to have a set of friends who provided such warm support. Several of my friends changed their schedules to spend time with me, and others who lived far away lent support with phone calls and good energy. A few people I connected briefly with didn't even know I was facing a difficult time; the serendipity of our paths crossing was powerful just the same.

With all of that powerful assistance, I had the courage to face these challenges and I am so happy to report that I already feel more like my old self again. I am composing this week's issue on a Sunday afternoon sitting on my deck beneath a sky that most definitely includes a beautiful, bright sun. I am deeply grateful that my friends left many FRIENDPRINTS on my healing heart just when they were needed most.

Please take a quick moment this week to either thank a friend of yours for their FRIENDPRINTS, or take action to leave some on a friend in need. Whichever you do, I'm guessing it will bring you a bit more....

...Peace,

Paul

Ripples v7.45: Ripples of MUTUAL WEIRDNESS!

Ripples v7.45: Ripples of MUTUAL WEIRDNESS!
11/28/05: your FREE weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times,
always with the same person.
-Mignon McLaughlin

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

We are all a little weird and
life\'s a little weird, and
when we find someone
whose weirdness is compatible with ours,
we join up with them and
fall in mutual weirdness and
call it love.
-source unknown

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

In addition to a heaping mound of Thanksgiving deliciousness, my family enjoyed a special treat this holiday weekend. My sister married one of the most charming veterinarians on the planet (coincidentally, he married one of the funniest and most talented veterinarians on the planet). Together, Dr. Cary & Dr. Cary kicked off their lifelong commitment with a simple and sweet ceremony that will linger in the hearts of all of those present.

I came across the above quotes on the internet and decided they could make a fun relationship-themed ripple to dedicate to my sister and her husband. The pebble reminds us that marriage, and in fact any relationship, requires ongoing efforts to ensure a healthy, long-lasting partnership. The boulder serves to comfort those of us who wonder if we are too weird to ever find someone to share our lives with.

To Drs. Cary & Cary, to many others who have entered into partnerships of various shapes and sizes, and to anyone who is flying solo through this chapter in their life: enjoy your weirdness....and enjoy today!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. I am on retreat the next few weeks. You will continue to receive your weekly splash of Ripples, but you may not hear personal responses from me until I am back home and caught up!

Ripples v6.24: Ripples of STAYING CLOSE!

Ripples v6.24: Ripples of STAYING CLOSE!
Paul's FREE Weekly Splash of Inspiration for 11,000+

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

A real friend is one who walks in
when the rest of the world walks out.
- source unknown, submitted by C.S., Cincinnati, OH

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

Beware of those who invite you
to be less than you are.
Stay close to those who dare you
to be more than you ever imagined.
-author unknown, submitted by Tami W., Stockton, CA

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

This week included spending time with "professional
helpers" who focus on serving the elderly. In a part of the
presentation about "attitude adjusting" I reminded them
of the awesome value in "Choosing Your Team."

Most of us spend many minutes a day interacting with others:
colleagues, friends, family, customers (clients/members/etc.),
strangers, and so on.... If I asked you to identify a few people
who engage and energize you, I'm hoping you could name
a handful. I bet you could also list a few folks who, when you
are around them, drain your energy (or, as I like to say, "suck
the lifeforce out of you!"). Perhaps this week you need to
begin consciously choosing to spend MORE time with someone
on the first list, and LESS time with someone from the second list.

And don't just THINK about it, DO IT!!!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v5.30: Ripples of GOOD COMPANY!

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

Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers
but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.
-Rachel Naomi Remen, submitted by Jodi C., Madison WI

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

Life is short and we do not have too much time
to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us,
so be swift to love and make haste to be kind.
-Henri-Frederic Amiel, submitted by Jennifer G., San Antonio, TX

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

What "good company" have you surrounded yourself with lately that
makes it easier to travel through life? If there is some new face
that needs a real welcome, or perhaps a longtime friend that has been
there in great and small adventures, I hope you can take a moment
from your busy life to call, email, or drop a note and say THANK YOU!

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v4.34: Ripples of FRIENDS!

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

It is one of the blessings of old friends
that you can afford to be stupid with them.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, submitted by Jenn P.

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

Each friend represents a world in us,
a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting
that a new world is born.
-Anais Nin, submitted by Jeanne, L. Fond du Lac, WI

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

Last weekend I snuck up to northern Minnesota to visit some friends
who recently bought a summer cabin on a pristine, spring-fed lake far
away from the stress of cities (and airports!). I was a little
worried about adding another trip to my already hectic August, but as
soon as I arrived I knew it was going to be a much-needed break.
Every moment was an opportunity to connect with nature AND to connect
with good friends whose paths have not crossed mine in a long time.

My new treatment for exhaustion: one lazy afternoon of goofing
around on a bright yellow dock in the middle of a crystal clear,
refreshingly brisk lake. Administer with friends and it is
guaranteed to calm nerves, induce deep sleep, and refresh a tired
soul.

I dare you: make a play date with some friends this week and ENJOY!

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v4.32: Ripples of WELCOME!

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

How rare and wonderful is that flash of a moment
when we realize we have discovered a friend.
-William Rotsler, submitted by Amanda K., River Falls WI

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

The world passes through me,
as I pass through the world.
And so,
as I complete my travels
around the world,
so the world completes its travels
through me.
-written & submitted by: Leslie M., Madison WI
[originally appeared in Ripples v1.46, 11/29/99]

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

Welcome Leslie!

Just a few months after eRipples began production back in 1999, a
colleague forwarded an issue to Leslie Marquette who liked it enough
to subscribe. Since then she has been a loyal reader whose
submissions have been included in a couple of issues (including the
one above which she wrote herself!).

I am introducing you to Leslie because she has become The Ripples
Project's first employee! In addition to sending out orders from our
online store, Leslie will be coordinating product and services
development as TRP (The Ripples Project) seeks new ways to create and
reward small waves of kindness.

Leslie lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and two children.
She likes to think of herself as a Bohemian Matriarch .... Mary
Poppins with a twist. She has studied Marketing, Accounting,
Voice, Juggling, and continues as a student of Middle Eastern Dance.
She brings with her a rich tapestry of experience, and is looking
forward to serving The Ripples Project and its' members in furthering
our mission to spread kindness. [Leslie dedicates her work with The
Ripples Project to her mother, Diane Marquette.]

The best way you can welcome Leslie is by placing an order today,
so we can afford to keep her around for a long time!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v2.40: Ripples of PEOPLE

eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration
version 2.40 [Monday, October 2, 2000]

PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go,
we take a little of each other everywhere.
-Tim McGraw, submitted by T. Pham

BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Keep away from people
who belittle your ambitions,
small people always do that,

but the really great
make you feel that
you, too,
can become great.
- Mark Twain, submitted by Andrea Wiebe

PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

There are some people on this planet who, just by being in the same
room with them for a time, can infuse your spirit with energy and
passion and vitality. They are joyful, alive creatures and they seem
willing to share their soul! They are interested in recounting their
latest adventures, and they are equally intrigued about YOUR
adventures.

And I am also coming to accept that there are some people on this
planet who can suck the lifeforce out of a room simply by being
present. They are whiny, negative, critical, frustrated people. I
do my best to be compassionate or at least have pity for them, AND I
am trying to keep them at a distance. They do not feed my soul and
my attempts to feed theirs are often futile (picture this sign at the
zoo: Do not feed the bears! They are on a strict diet of whine and
negative thoughts).

May I ask you on this bright Monday morning: which camp are you in?
Choose your sides this week and hopefully you can spend some time and
energy enhancing your skills as an INFUSER an avoid being a DRAINER!

Paul

eRipples v2.22: Ripples of FRIENDSHIP!

eRipples: a FREE weekly splash of inspiration from
Paul Wesselmann and The Ripples Project
version 2.22 [Tuesday, May 30, 2000]

PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A friend is the person who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
-original source unknown, submitted by Ben Olds

BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A Oath of Friendship
When you are sad,.............I will dry your tears.
When you are scared,..........I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried,.........I will give you hope.
When you are confused,........I will help you cope.
And when you are lost,........And can't see the light.
I shall be your beacon........Shining ever so bright
This is my oath...............I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask?..............Because you're my friend.
-original source unknown, submitted by Joanna Messer

PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Many of you know how important the mountains are to me, so you will not be
surprised that I returned to the Colorado Rockies for some R&R over the
holiday weekend. I visited some of the same magnificent spots that I've
described in these emails before but this trip they all looked different.
How could the paths I have retraced so many times have been so different?
Because this time I traveled them with my best friend.

As much as I have appreciated my solo time in the mountains, there is
nothing quite like having a trusted buddy to enrich the experience. It
reminded me that all of my favorite adventures have been improved by either
having a friend with me, or connecting with them soon after to recreate the
events with words and images.

I hope you can spend some time with a special friend or twp this week.
Sitting in a cafe, chatting on the phone, or simply an extra email to
remind us all of the power of friends.

Peace to you,

Paul

eRipples v2.06: Your Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration

eRipples: a free weekly splash of inspiration
version 3.06: Ripples of TRUST!
Monday, February 5, 2001

PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Trust your crazy ideas.
Dan Zadra, submitted by Bethany Kopp

BOULDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,
nor the kindly smile,
nor the joy of companionship;
it is the spiritual inspiration that
comes when you discover that
someone else believes in you and
is willing to trust you with friendship.
- adapted from Ralph Waldo Emerson, submitted by Mary K. Gurney

PONDER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yesterday I shared a plane ride with a fabulous woman from Fargo,
North Dakota. At first we were simply exchanging the usual small
talk: I had just spent the weekend visiting friends in Minneapolis
and was returning home, she was on her way to a one-day training in
Madison. By the time the plane took off, however, we were deeply
involved (and deeply excited) about how to make the world a nicer
place. I told her about Ripples, and we brainstormed groups of
people who needed a little lift in their lives and who might be able
to help create more ripples of good stuff. At 4:30 we met as
complete strangers, and at 6:00 we were hugging each other as old
friends. Crazy, I know. We couldn't possibly be "old friends" after
just 90 minutes. Yet something inside tells me our paths were meant
to cross and I'm sure we'll meet again. That something inside is
called TRUST, and I dare you to trust your insides this week about
following through on a hunch...there is something in it for you, I'm
sure of it!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v1.07

Ripples, version 1.07 [3/1/99]: An electronic postcard from Stone Soup
Seminars


A PEBBLE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Friends are angels who lift our feet
when our wings are having trouble
remembering how to fly.
Original Source: unknown, Submitted by: Andrea Baird

REFLECTION ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Life is like a 30,000 piece puzzle - one for each day. If you try to judge
the puzzle by each individual piece you will never figure it out. That's
why we need to picture the complete puzzle in our minds and just add each
piece as it fits. The special thing about this puzzle, is it can be any
picture we want, but the sooner we decide what that picture is going to be,
the easier it will be to put it together. There is no picture on the box
cover to guide us.  At this time in our lives, all the edge pieces have been put together...
now comes the hard part...
Original Source: Wayde Rivinius, Submitted by: Chris Ahlers

PONDERING ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

ARE YOU CONGRUENT? I spent some time this week with a group of Public
Safety Telecommunicators....the amazing professionals who are on the other
end when you dial 911. The workshop was on preventing burnout and I spent
countless hours preparing for the presentation by reading books and
articles; I developed top notch activities and materials. It occurred to
me, though, that the most effective way to teach self care skills is to
make sure I am PRACTICING self care skills. No one is interested in
untested advice, and we can all smell FAKES a million miles away. So, my
question for you this week: what advice have YOU given recently that you
should be following?


Copyright 1999 Stone Soup Seminars
========================================