Ripples #730: Lost and Found!
For our tribe of 30,432 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
May 20, 2013

PEBBLE:
It's the times you feel like you've lost everything
that you find everything you didn't know you had.
-source unknown, shared by Zack W. via Facebook

BOULDER:
Adversity is like a strong wind.
It tears away from us all
but the things that cannot be torn,
so that we see ourselves as we really are.
-Arthur Golden, shared by Sarah in Fond du Lac, WI

PONDER:
It often seems like my #1 job on this planet is to remind us all to hang in there during inevitable challenges that we encounter. I've learned from experience and from supporting others that the tougher challenges often yield larger opportunities for growth. The toughest races offer the biggest prizes, right? Life can be exceedingly difficult, and we sometimes have to get to the finish line to find what we lost and what we gained.

To my peeps that are facing difficulties right now, HANG IN THERE! Remember to BREATHE, remember to ask for help when necessary, and remember that we often fail to realize how TOUGH we are until we're tested. YOU'VE GOT THIS!

Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Guy
p.s. If life is going fairly well for you right now, keep an eye out for others who are currently struggling. They might need a hand or a hug or both.

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Ripples #729: Jumping!
For our tribe of 30,433 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
May 13, 2013

PEBBLE:
A comfort zone is a beautiful place,
but nothing ever grows there.
-S.L. Todd, shared by Jenn at University of Nebraska

BOULDER:
If following your heart's desire seems crazy
but not following it is becoming more and more difficult
with every passing week or month or year,
your choices come down to taking a leap of faith
or living with the regret of never having tried.
Wouldn't you rather jump?
-Martha Beck, shared by Nick in New Jersey

PONDER:
A year ago I pulled up my life by the roots, shook off the dirt and transplanted myself to Ohio. I wasn't 100% sure why it felt like the right adventure, and I wasn't 100% confident I would stay very long. Within just a few months of arriving, however, a number of new and deepened connections confirmed that following my heart's desire was a worthy pursuit. This weekend I made it official and moved into a more permanent residence.

While I am getting settled in my new digs, I invite you to listen carefully within and see if there are whispers of your own that could reveal your next adventure. Happy jumping!

Peace to you!
Paul,
The Ripples Guy

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Ripples #728: Better Than Perfect.
For our tribe of 30,496 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
May 6, 2013

PEBBLE:
Believe with all of your heart
that you will do what you were made to do.
-Orison Swett Marden, submitted by Jenny at Lakeland College, WI

BOULDER:
The thing that is really hard,
and really amazing,
is giving up on being perfect,
and beginning the work
of becoming yourself.
-Anna Quindlen, shared by Lauren in Ferdinand, IN

PONDER:
If you or someone you care about has been struggling to figure out what to do next in work, school, or life, here comes the answer. Are you ready? Get ready, because the next paragraph begins with the secret you have been waiting for….

Okay, I fibbed. I don't have the answer about what you're supposed to do next, nor am I withholding the secret to life satisfaction. I haven't found any miracle solutions, other than to keep plugging away at the important work of becoming the best possible you. That might mean cramming for a final or pouring your soul into a big project. On the flip side, it might mean taking a much-needed break: a long walk in nature, a few deep breaths, or perhaps an ice cream cone with sprinkles.

Work hard, rest deeply, and let go of striving for perfection; the world desperately needs you to be something better than perfect….we need you to be *you.*

Peace,
Paul

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Ripples #727: Leading by Serving.
For our tribe of 30,767 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
April 29, 2013

PEBBLE:
You can't lead people
if you don't love people.
You can't save people
if you don't serve people.
-Congresswoman Julia Carson, shared by Karla in Indianapolis, IN

BOULDER:
We must be silent before we can listen.
We must listen before we can learn.
We must learn before we can prepare.
We must prepare before we can serve.
We must serve before we can lead.
-William Arthur Ward, shared by Bruce in Milwaukee, WI

PONDER:
It can be tempting to view leadership simply as being in charge or in control. From my earliest leadership roles in scouting to my current work as a leadership trainer, I have learned from countless role models that effective leaders usually earn the respect and trust of their teams by demonstrating authenticity, compassion, and a willingness to work as hard or harder than they expect others to. Is there anything you could do this week to extend your leadership capacity through compassionate service to others?

Peace,
Paul
P.S. Speaking of scouting: I am proud to be a gay Eagle Scout who believes our world is improved whenever we bring our FULL and BEST selves to work, school, and life. Some of my fellow Eagle Scouts and I have teamed up to raise awareness and funds to end discrimination in scouting. Please watch this video (especially if you're a Zach Wahls fan) and consider pitching in to create more ripples of leadership. Let me know if you donate because Zach and I intend to match it! http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=523&m=893&nl=13&s=dfb706258cf0416bd4d6592ffb5ddd13&lid=2790&l=-http–youtu.be/pMmKNYjBlUc

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Ripples #726: Sorrow & Joy.
For our tribe of 30,740 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
April 22, 2013

PEBBLE:
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being,
the more joy you can contain.
-Kahlil Gibran, shared by Hannah in Madison

BOULDER:
Know that joy
is rare,
more difficult,
and more beautiful
than sadness.
Once you make this
all-important discovery,
you must embrace joy
as a moral obligation.
-Andre Gide, shared by Terry in Oak Creek, WI

PONDER:
There are good days, and there are bad days. If you're like most people, you've had plenty of both. If life is joyful for you right now, I hope you can take action to both SAVOR and SHARE the joy with those around you. If sorrow is visiting right now, may I gently encourage you to honor the sadness, make peace with it to seek the lessons it has to offer, and keep both your eyes and your heart open, ready to receive the joy that often makes an appearance as you move past a difficult period.

Oh, and a grateful nod to my friends at Marian University, the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, and UW-La Crosse who welcomed me to their events this week. Even though I now live in Ohio, it always feels good to return to Wisconsin.

Peace,
Paul

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Ripples #725: Choose to Act!
For our tribe of 30,697 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
April 15, 2013

PEBBLE:
Your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behavior does.
-unknown, shared by Ryan in La Crosse, WI

BOULDER:
Cinderella may have been given
the dress, the shoes and the ride,
but she was the one who made
the choice to go to the ball.
You are given opportunities every day,
make your choice to do something with them.
-written & submitted by Jennifer M. at Cal Poly SLO, CA

PONDER:
Of course how you feel and what you think about are important pieces of the puzzle, but your actions remain the single most important factor in defining your success in school, work, and life. Sometimes we're laying around waiting to feel better or think more positively about things when the most useful strategy would be to take action.

Use this week to make conscious choices about which actions will increase your effectiveness and enjoyment of school, work, and life. Choose wisely, and then GO FOR IT!

Peace,
Paul

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Ripples #724: Journey of Today!
For our tribe of 30,838 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
April 8, 2013

PEBBLE:
Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment,
and quit worrying about winning or losing.
-Matt Biondi, submitted by Brett in Madison, WI

BOULDER:
This is the beginning of a new day.
You have been given this day
to use as you will.
What you do today is important
because you are exchanging
a new day of your life for it.
When tomorrow comes,
this day will be gone forever
leaving in its place whatever
you have traded for it.
Pledge to yourself that
it shall be for
GAIN, GOOD, and SUCCESS
so you will never regret
the price you paid for this day.
-Anita Reed Seminars, shared by Vicki in Madison, WI

PONDER:
In the time management workshops I frequently give at leadership conferences, I begin with the point that TIME is, in many ways, a more valuable currency than money. It is a precious non-renewable resource: you have 1,440 minutes to spend in a day but once they are gone, THEY ARE GONE! The more careful we are with how we spend today, the more we can enjoy the journey.

I invite you to take a few minutes to breathe deeply and consider the possibilities, and then jump in and enjoy every remaining moment of today. Make it the journey of a lifetime!

Peace,
Paul

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Ripples #723: Whoops!
For our tribe of 31,240 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
April 1, 2013

PEBBLE:
Flops are a part of life's menu
and I've never been a girl
to miss out on any of the courses.
-Rosalind Russell, shared by Josh in Fremont, NH

BOULDER:
After all these years,
I am still involved
in the process of self-discovery.
It's better to explore life
and make mistakes
than to play it safe.
Mistakes are part of the dues
one pays for a full life.
-Sophia Loren

PONDER:
What could happen this week for you and those around you if you made a conscious choice to either to FORGIVE yourself for a recent mistake or PREPARE yourself for an upcoming mistake that will inevitably present itself? What if you did BOTH?

Mistakes are inevitable, the are helpful, and they are rarely as disastrous as we fear they'll be.

Do yourself and your team a favor and practice one of my favorite mantras: L.I.G. (Let. It. Go.).

Peace,
Paul

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Ripples #722: Create Yourself Anew!
For our tribe of 31,242 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
March 25, 2013

PEBBLE:
You are doing something very sacred here,
during your life upon the earth.
You are creating yourself anew,
in each golden moment of Now.
-Neale Donald Walsch, shared by Isaac in Sedona, AZ

BOULDER:
May I become at all times, both now and forever,
a protector for those without protection,
a guide for those who have lost their way,
a ship for those with oceans to cross,
a bridge for those with rivers to cross,
a sanctuary for those in danger,
a lamp for those without light,
a place of refuge for those who lack shelter, and
a servant to all in need.
-Dalai Lama, shared by Ryan in La Crosse, WI

PONDER:
Even if it doesn't feel like spring on the outside, I nominate this week as a verdant opportunity to do some spring cleaning on the inside. Rummage through your mind, your heart and your soul, looking for outdated beliefs about yourself that can be discarded to make room for fresh perspectives and a renewed outlook. You might be surprised how just a few minutes of contemplation could have a significant impact on yourself and those around you. Are you in?

Peace,
Paul

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Ripples #721: Crazy Good!
For our tribe of 31,276 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
March 18, 2013

PEBBLE:
All of us are crazy good in one way or another.
-Yiddish Proverb, shared by Mia in Greensboro, NC

BOULDER:
Face new challenges,
seize new opportunities,
test your resources against the unknown
and in the process, discover
your own unique potential.
-John Amatt, shared by Mary in Mississippi

PONDER:
Of course there are going to be days when you feel like a big pile of crazy, overwhelmed by the stack of stuff in your "to do" pile and unable to make sense of anything. At some point, though, you need to splash some water on your face and look in the mirror to recognize that hidden within your complicated, kooky, imperfect self is a perfectly awesome you. You need to see this soon, because the world is waiting to improve and it desperately needs your contribution.

Sound crazy? It is….and it is also CRAZY GOOD!

Peace,
Paul

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