Ripples #768: Perfecting Love!

Ripples #768: Perfecting Love!

For our tribe of busy people who believe in 

unleashing Ripples of compassion & kindness: uRock!

10 Feb 2014

PEBBLE:  

Do not seek perfection in a changing world. 
Instead, perfect your love.
-Master Sengstan, shared by Rebecca in Chicago, IL

BOULDER: 

I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved. I know that I can [sometimes only] give love for a minute, for half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give. I am very happy to do that, I want to do that.
-Princess Diana, shared by Isaac in Sedona, AZ

PONDER:  

Let's face it: some people love Valentine's Day, and some people don't.  

As someone who has been single much of my life, I can certainly relate to people who feel like this holiday exists merely to reinforce a message that a successful life requires being coupled (It doesn't, by the way. For reals.)  Other people see it as too commercialized for any glimmer of goodness to peek through.  To help make the second week of February more palatable for everyone, I've often used a "Ripples of Love" theme and expanded beyond romantic love to include family/friend love, self-love and even the more expansive loves of humanity, earth, spirit, etc.  

I hope you can PERFECT YOUR LOVE this week by recognizing, savoring, and expressing all the love that exists in your heart and in your life.

Peace,
Paul
P.S.  Oh, and if you LOVE quotes, I have the V-Day gifts for you:
1.  Here is a list of quotes we've used in previous LOVE-themed Ripples:
2.  My buddy Marc and his team have unleashed iPhone and Android versions of our Quote Pond that rewards you for sharing inspiring quotes by unlocking more quotes! Discounted for just a few more days so download soon!

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!

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

Ripples #664: Love!

Ripples #664: Love!
For our tribe of 29,945 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/13/2012

PEBBLE:
Those who live passionately
teach us how to love.
Those who love passionately
teach us how to live.
-Yogananda, submitted by Kimberly in San Luis Obispo, CA

BOULDER:
.....Or maybe the purpose of being here, wherever we are, is to increase the durability and the occasions of love among and between peoples. Love as the concentration of tender caring and tender excitement, or love as the reasons for joy. I believe that love is the single, true prosperity of any moment and that whatever and whoever impedes, diminishes, ridicules, opposes the development of loving spirit is 'wrong'/hateful.
-June Jordan, submitted by Nichole in Eau Claire, WI

PONDER:
I know some people feel that Valentine's Day is a contrived event that forces couples to spend furiously on each other AND invites those of us who are single to feel lonely. I prefer to experience it as an opportunity to remember that love is an essential essence that should be shared generously with our friends, our partners, and ourselves. Love connects us to the people who invite us to be our best, full selves. I'll use today's Ripples to share my gratitude for all the love that flows from our happy tribe of Ripplers, and invite you to savor the love you've shared and received.

Peace,
Paul

Ripples #612: Lots Of Varied Experiences!

Ripples #612: Lots Of Varied Experiences!
For our tribe of 27,163 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Feb 14, 2011

PEBBLE:
Do not seek perfection in a changing world.
Instead, perfect your love.
-Master Sengstan, submitted by Rebecca, Chicago IL

BOULDER:
Love is friendship that has caught fire.
It is quiet understanding,
mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving.
It is loyalty through good and bad times.
It settles for less than perfection and
makes allowances for human weaknesses.
-Ann Landers

PONDER:
While pondering recently how I could inspire ALL of us (regardless of
relationship status) to participate in this love-themed holiday, I decided
that L.O.V.E. could be an acronym for Lots Of Varied Experiences. Even if
you are not romantically connected on this Valentine's Day, LOVE is
something you hopefully feel towards yourself and at least a few others in
your life (friends, family, pets, etc.).

Many people will celebrate Valentine's Day today with flowers and candy and
cards and kisses. There are, however, many other ways we can express our
love towards the people around us: warm smiles, kind gestures and brief
notes are all valuable without being expensive.

Consider doing something extra special today to remind yourself and the
world that LOVE, in all its forms, is real, abundant, and essential.

Peace & L.O.V.E. to you!
Paul

Ripples #604: Christmas Love!

Ripples #604: Christmas Love!
For our tribe of 27,128 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
Dec 20, 2010

PEBBLE:
Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas
if you stop opening presents and listen.
-Bobby (age 7), submitted by Kalea, Chico CA

BOULDER:
My idea of Christmas,
whether old-fashioned or modern,
is very simple:
loving others.
Come to think of it,
why do we have to wait
for Christmas to do that?
-Bob Hope

PONDER:
Many of us have a few days off from work/school to celebrate the holidays.
I hope that whatever traditions you choose to honor are filled with fun,
kindness, gratitude, and lots of love!

If you will spend time with others, remember to manage your expectations:
our memories of holidays past are sometimes recorded without the poopy parts
which can cause the present to appear less shiny and happy.

If you spend time alone this time of year, remember that alone doesn't
necessarily mean lonely: I encourage you to create some solo traditions so
you can treat yourself to a special meal, movie, book, etc.

Even if these holidays aren't "yours," I hope you can honor the end of the
calendar year and think about what possibilities may exist for 2011.

Peace,
Paul

Ripples #583: Looking At Love!

Ripples #583: Looking At Love!
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 25,823
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities

PEBBLE:
Love does not consist of gazing at each other
but in looking together in the same direction.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery, submitted by Linn W., Milwaukee WI

BOULDER:
There are only four questions
of value in life....
What is sacred?
Of what is the spirit made?
What is worth living for, and
what is worth dying for?
The answer to each is the same:
only love.
-Don Juan de Marco (movie), submitted by Dave B, La Crosse WI


PONDER:
I have just returned from a magical weekend in rural western Wisconsin
where my dear friends and super-duper longtime Ripplers Jay and Josh hosted
what many who attended described as the most love-filled wedding they have
ever experienced.

For some of the attendees, it was difficult to understand the grooms'
choice in calling it a wedding since the state of Wisconsin recently passed
a constitutional amendment barring same sex marriage and even recognition of
civil unions. For many, it was their first same-sex wedding. For all of us,
it was a magnificent opportunity to see the love that exists among family,
friends, and neighbors. I've posted several photos on my Facebook page, and
I uploaded the video of my toast if you'd like to sample some of the love.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=483939&id=698990009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toReJzgM--Y

I hope every person who reads this note gets to experience the powerful
love that evolves when family, friends, and neighbors don't simply "accept"
or "tolerate," but indeed EMBRACE a universal truth: our connectedness is
more sacred than our differences.

Peace,
Paul
P.S. Congrats to Josh & Jay. I will never forget this weekend--ever.

Ripples #559: Love!

Ripples #559: Love!
Monday, Feb 8, 2010
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 24,413
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities

_______
PEBBLE
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe,
deserve your love and affection.
-Buddha, submitted via Facebook by Brenda F.

________
BOULDER
Truly loving another means
letting go of all expectations.
It means full acceptance,
even celebration
of another's personhood.
-Karen Casey, submitted via FB by Lindsay W., MI

_______
PONDER
As some prepare to celebrate romantic love on Valentine's Day, I invite all
of us to celebrate LOVE and its sweet variations: whether it is your
friends, your kin, your pets, your self, and/or your Higher Power, it is
worth taking a few minutes this week to savor the love in your life and
perhaps remind someone how important their LOVE is to you.

Many of you have enjoyed previous quote compilations, so I dug through our
archives and put together a list of LOVE-themed Ripples. You can receive
the list by sending a blank email to LOVE [at] TheRipplesGuy.com and you
will need to replace [at] with @ and eliminate the extra spaces.

Peace,
Paul

Ripples #556: Dr. King!

Ripples #556: Dr. King!
Monday, Jan 18, 2010
The Ripples Project is a tribe of 23,950
who believe tiny actions create big possibilities

_______
PEBBLE
We must accept finite dissapointment,
but we must never lose infinite hope.
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., submitted by Samantha Z., Oklahoma


________
BOULDER
I believe that unarmed truth
and unconditional love
will have the final word in reality.
That is why right, temporarily defeated,
is stronger than evil triumphant.
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

_______
PONDER
Each year in the U.S.A. we set aside the third Monday in January to honor
the magnificent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who believed passionately in the
powerful and unending ripples of peace and justice. He was a primary
influence in the creation of this newsletter.

I ask Ripplers everywhere to honor Dr. King by donating $10 to a charity
already on the ground in Haiti [http://CharityWatch.org has compiled an
excellent list] and another $10 to a local charity that might be receiving
fewer donations because of the economy and/or the recent focus on Haiti. If
you are comfortable, share which organizations you donated to on our
facebook wall:

http://Facebook.com/TheRipplesGuy

I know that for some Ripples $20 is a substantial sum of money; I suspect
you know that $10 can make a real difference in a country as poor as Haiti,
and $10 to a local charity will help them know they are not forgotten in
these difficult times. It takes only a moment, so please do what you can!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. If you would like a remarkable list of Dr. King quotes from the past
12 years of Ripples, please send a blank email to the following address:
MLK [at] TheRipplesGuy.com and please note you will need to replace [at]
with @.

Ripples v10.06: Honoring Love!

Ripples v10.06: Honoring Love!
Feb 11, 2008: a free weekly splash to 17,968 subscribers
from Paul & The Ripples Project

____________________PEBBLE ____________________

I have learned not to worry about love;
but to honor its coming with all my heart.
-Alice Walker, submitted by Julie T., Eugene OR

____________________BOULDER ____________________

For one human being
to love another human being.
That is perhaps
the most difficult task
that has been entrusted to us,
the ultimate task....
-Rainer Maria Rilke, submitted by Julie T., Eugene OR

____________________PONDER ____________________

I do hope you can spend a few minutes this week sharing your LOVE with someone else. We usually think of Valentine's Day as a chance to acknowledge romantic love, but there are so many other kinds of love to share: friendship love, familial love, or even universal love of humanity! So whether it is a significant other or best friend or sibling or neighbor or the person in the drive thru window, be sure to HONOR LOVE this week by giving it away!

Speaking of sharing love, I wonder if you have any inspirational magnets that you might share with me? I have a metal front door and want to cover it with inspirational magnets. I was going to purchase a bunch and then thought maybe some of you would have ones that have inspired you and yet you are ready to pass along. I promise share a picture of the door once it is filled up, and I will pass the magnets on to someone else when I'm sufficiently inspired!

Peace, and LOVE to you!

Paul

Ripples v9.07: Creative Love!

Ripples v9.07: Creative Love!
2/12/07: a free splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

Love shows itself better through deeds than by words.
-St. Ignatius Loyola, submitted by Samantha T., Milwaukee WI

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

The meaning of life is creative love.
Not love as an inner feeling,
as a private sentimental emotion,
but love as a dynamic power
moving out into the world and
doing something original.
-Tom Morris, submitted by Linn W., Milwaukee WI

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= SPLASH =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o

How much do I love the affirmations and contributions I have received from Ripples readers over the last 9 years? The above quotes dare me to SHOW my love, so I have a gift for you that requires two minutes of your time to receive. The Quote Pond is a place you can visit to relax a bit, and also find a message that may be just what you need today.

If you are busy, come back when you have some time. If you are ready, please take a deep breath and visit http://TheQuotePond.com. (Patience please if you're visiting this link on Monday because the site may be quite busy!!).

The site was created for you, so please enjoy your visit!! Happy Valentine's Day, Ripplers!

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v8.07: Ripples of PERSISTENT LOVE!

Ripples v8.07: Ripples of PERSISTENT LOVE!
2/13/06: 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

...That\'s the only purpose grand enough for human life.
Not just to love – but to persist in love.
-Sue Monk Kidd, submitted by Megan H., Prairie Farm WI

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

True love cannot be found where it does not truly exist,
Nor can it be hidden where it truly does.
Love is magic.
The more we hide it, the more it shows,
the more you suppress it, the more it grows.
-source unknown, submitted by Cynthia G. Las Cruces, NM

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

I have been asking several Ripples subscribers how they \"digest\" their weekly splash of Ripples and have enjoyed the diversity of responses. It seems that some of you read and savor each section slowly while others just focus on one piece. Several of you report simply reading the quotes submitted by fellow Ripplers, while others admit they hardly ever notice the theme or quotes but always head down here to the Ponder to \"read where Paul has been travelling or what he has been thinking about.\"

I must confess to you that while there are many parts of my work and life that I like, there is no single task on my plate that I find more deeply enjoyable than the time spent putting together each issue and then receiving back the ripples of PERSISTENT LOVE. Sometimes the love comes in the form of quote submissions (and we can always use more!), other times it is a quick \"I love Ripples because....\" note. A few times a month I am delighted with \"Paul how did you KNOW I needed this message just today?\" Of course, I did not know that because I am not really creating the Ripples.....I am just part of the cycle! All kinds of magical and wonderful forces are at work, the most important of which we honor with St. Valentine\'s Day: LOVE!

I wish you much peace and lots of love,
Paul
P.S. If you LOVE giving or receiving chocolate as a gift, you may be interested in an online article my sister shared. She believes dark chocolate is the best food ever, and it is apparently healthy too: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/73/81921.htm

Ripples v7.07: Ripples of LOVE!

Ripples v7.07: Ripples of LOVE!
Monday, February 14, 2005
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

Love is the most powerful and still
the most unknown energy of the world.
-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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

What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you will do in the evenings,
how you will spend your weekends,
what you read,
who you know,
what breaks your heart, and
what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love
Stay in Love
And it will decide everything.
-Pedro Arrupe, submitted by Kara M. Cleveland, Ohio


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

For many people, Valentine\'s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the joy of romantic love.

Regardless of your relationship status, we could ALL use a reminder of how remarkable love is. Life just tastes better when you love your work, your studies, your friends/family/neighbors/coworkers, your community, your pets, your hobbies, etc. (Of course, we cannot love EVERYTHING in our life or we wouldn\'t be able to really appreciate the things we really do love--love would then become a bland saltine cracker with no peanut butter).

So, here is my wacky idea for the week. I\'m going to assume you will be sharing your love this week with the important PEOPLE in your life. Let\'s share with each other not WHO we love but WHAT we love! What is some inanimate object you own that you really love having in your life? Is it a book? a gadget? a piece of clothing? C\'mon, I dare you to post your response here:

http://theripplesproject.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=643#643

Peace,
Paul

Ripples v6.04: Ripples of LOVE!

Ripples v6.04: Paul's Free Weekly Splash of Inspiration for 10,000+
Please make a Ripple in someone's life by sharing this message!
To join (free!): mailto:Join@TheRipplesProject.org

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= PEBBLES =o=o=o=o=o==o=o

In dreams and in love, there are no impossibilities.
-Janos Arany, submitted by Kathy R. Appleton, WI

It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.
It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.
-Mother Teresa

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o= BOULDERS =o=o=o=o=o=o=o

We are, all of us, molded and remolded by those who have loved us.
No love, no friendship, can cross the path or our destiny
without leaving some mark upon it forever.
-source unknown, submitted by Fran O., Madison, WI

Love is the fire that burns inside us all,
the inner warmth that prevents our soul
from freezing in the winters of despair.
It's the love of life itself.
- Bradley Trevor Greive, submitted by Melissa P.,Morris, MN

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

Leslie, our official Coordinator of Kindness, had a great idea: help
readers prepare to create Ripples of Love on Valentine's Day! In
addition to an extra helping of love-related quotes, we found some
inspiring (and inexpensive!) love-oriented items to stock in our
online store (for two weeks only!).

So, if you want to create some ripples of love, pop over to our
online store today (Over 30 items for $5 or less!)!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm

Peace,
Paul

eRipples v4.16: Ripples of TREASURES!

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

Life is a treasure hunt - love is the treasure.
-source unknown, submitted by Larissa M <Katt@niu.edu>

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

I wish that life
not be cheap,
but sacred;

I wish the day
to be as centuries,
loaded,
fragrant.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, submitted by Sara M. <smbay@ozarkisp.net>

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

In between visits to Indiana University-Bloomington (just about the
coolest group of support staff I've spent time with!), and a
fantastic day with the Indiana School Food Service Association, I
have spent some time reading through the dozens of responses to last
week's request for feedback about eRipples. While some of you had
some really neat suggestions for improvement (which we will be
exploring over the next few months), over 100 of you said "I like
ripples just the way it is." The emails from so many people who
took time from their busy week created a treasure chest of kindness I
will enjoy for several more weeks as I sift through them!

Beyond those 140 people, hundreds more have passed eRipples on to
others, submitted quotes and/or ordered treats from our online store.
Even those of you who simply take a moment from your crazy day to
treat yourself with this splash of kindness are creating a tiny
treasure that continues the ripples!

Peace and treasures to you,
Paul

eRipples v3.07: Ripples of LOVE!

eRipples: your free weekly splash of inspiration
version 3.07: Ripples of LOVE!
Monday, February 12, 2001

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

Your fear of love is the only thing holding you back right now.
Trust that you are lovable, and the love offered you shall prove to be real.
Accept the love of the universe, as well as the love of those around you.
-Dawn Williams, submitted by Larissa Melton

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

Do you want me to tell you something really subversive?
Love is everything it's cracked up to be.
That's why people are so cynical about it...
it really is worth fighting for, being brave for.
And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything-
you risk even more.
-original source Erica Jong (we think!), submitted by Jennifer
Holdsworth


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

As we approach St. Valentine's Day, remember that regardless of your
current relationship status there is someone very important you need
to acknowledge this Wednesday. YOU! Some of us who are single may
feel a little left out of all the fuss, and we need to happily join
in the acknowledgement of love in the world! Everyone can take a
moment and acknowledge any love that has swirled around us in the
last year....from ourselves, from our friends & family, and our
romantic interests.

This Ripples sent with Love,
Paul

Ripples v2.07: Ripples of HEART!

RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
version 2.07 [Monday, February 14, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars


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

Love is like bread.
It needs to be made fresh everyday.
original source: Hungarian Proverb
submitted by: Michael Winfield <michael.winfield@r...>


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

Touch My Heart

Touch my heart and I'll touch yours with a gentle word or two,
For kindness bears the sweetest fruit that makes our dreams come
true.

Touch my life with tenderness and fill my cup with love.
Share my dreams as I share yours beyond the stars above.

Take my hand as I grow old and lead me when I'm blind.
Show me that you really care...good friends are hard to find.

Touch my heart and I'll touch yours a little more each day
Until we both find happiness somewhere along the way.

original source: Clay Harrison
submitted by: Louise Fender



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

Do you notice Ripples? Do you create Ripples?

Beginning next week, I want to include some of YOUR original stories about
Ripples that YOU have observed or created. What small acts of kindness or
simple contributions have created a Ripple? We have to inspire each other
to continue the daily good deeds that are at the HEART of any real
sustainable peace this world can grasp.

Take a moment to ponder this, and submit a brief description of your Ripple!

Happy Valentines Day!

Paul

Ripples v1.36: Wedding Ripples

Ripples, version 1.36 [9/20/99] ©1999 Stone Soup Seminars
This issue is dedicated to my dear friends Dave & Heather: may you find as
much joy in your marriage as we did at your wedding! -ptw

PEBBLES ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

If we let ourselves be truly seen, then we can be truly loved.
Original source: Sark, submitted by Jamie Treutel

A good marriage is the union of two forgivers.
Original source unknown, submitted by Terry Willson

BOULDERS ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Now we will feel no rain,
For each of us will be
Shelter for the other.
Now we will feel no cold,
For each of us will be
Warmth to the other.
Now we are two persons,
But there is only one life before us.
Let us go now to enter into
The days of our life together."
-Original source: Apache Wedding Blessing, submitted by Terry Willson

Love bears all things
Believes all things
Hopes all things
Endures all things
Love never fails
Original source unknown, submitted by Nicole


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

I took some time off this weekend to attend a grand wedding between my good
friends Heather & Dave. Everything about the event was magnificent: the
peaceful location a few yards from the swirling Wolf River in northern
Wisconsin under a blue sky and a hint of fall foliage; the charming
ceremony that was informal yet profound; and the unique mixture of guests
that provided as much entertainment at the reception as the food and music.

Despite what we may be tempted to deduce recent headlines, I remain
convinced that Love is still more more plentiful than Evil. This Hope, by
the way, is a powerful antidote to Evil.

I hope you'l take a moment this week to strengthen a relationship in your
life with some kindness, communication, and caring!

Peace to you,

Paul

p.s. Thank you for the deluge of "relationship" ripples submissions! So
many people found valuable nuggets....I'll share more in future Ripples!

Ripples v1.05

Ripples, version 1.05 [2/15/99]
An electronic postcard from Stone Soup Seminars
Current Number of Subscribers: 298

This issue celebrates Valentine's Day with LOVE.

A PEBBLE ###########################

We all become more beautiful when we are loved,
and if you have self-love
then you are always beautiful.
Original Source: Alice Walker

REFLECTIONS ##########################

Love Quiz

1. Is anyone a little happier because we came along today?
2. Did we leave someone with any concrete evidence of our kindness, any
sign of our love?
3. Did we try to think of someone in a more positive light?
4. Did we help someone to feel joy?
5. Did we make someone laugh, or at least smile?
6. Have we attempted to remove a little of the rust that is corroding our
relationships?
7. Have we gone through the day without fretting over what we don't have
and celebrating the things we do have?
8. Have we forgiven others for being less than perfect?
9. Have we forgiven ourselves?
10. Have we learned something new about life, living or love?
Submitted by: secret admirer of all Ripples subscribers
Original Source: Leo Buscaglia

SNIPPET ##################################

It is hard for me to believe that 13 years have passed since my friend
Steve took his life during our senior year in high school. Last fall I
visited a quiet spot in my hometown where Steve often slipped away to
contemplate life. His mother had placed a plaque there and I offer its
inscription to you this week with my love:

Come to this special place
In the crisp morn, in the full midday, in the deepening eve;
Rest here to contemplate your world and the universe around you.
Look inward with love and know your own goodness and wisdom.
Look outward with love, and share it with the world.
We need you.
[This plaque celebrates Steven C. Wikel, 10/23/66 - 2/12/85, who touched
more hearts in life than he believed.]

Copyright 1999 Stone Soup Seminars