Ripples #677: Leave A Trace.
For our tribe of 30,858 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
05/15/2012

PEBBLE:
We never touch people so lightly
that we do not leave a trace.
—Peggy Tabor Millin. Submitted by Angie in Altoona, WI

BOULDER:
We are each other's business;
we are each other's harvest;
we are each other's magnitude and bond.
-Gwendolyn Brooks, submitted by Nick in New Jersey

PONDER:
Our capacity to individually survive and collectively thrive hinges on our ability to provide assistance to each other and accept occasional assistance in return. Some of us are good at one and not the other, so let's make this a week of acknowledging those who have helped us on our journey AND allowing ourselves to consider the lives that we have improved. It may just be an internal pondering AND you could make someone's day with a quick text, email, or handwritten note that describes how they have improved your world.

Peace,
Paul
p.s. Thanks to the dozens of folks who stopped by for hugs and high fives at Saturday's open house & estate sale. I have less stuff to pack up AND we raised $1,000 for WILS (http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=465&m=835&nl=13&s=5275e2f86fd9e03ae614f8c397361c8b&lid=2086&l=-http–www.wils.us/) and GSAFE (http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=465&m=835&nl=13&s=5275e2f86fd9e03ae614f8c397361c8b&lid=2087&l=-http–www.gsafewi.org/). It was a joyous day filled with hugs, stories, and some amazing homemade caramel corn. You all left a significant trace on my soul!

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Ripples #676: Lighten The Load!
For our tribe of 30,915 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
05/07/2012

PEBBLE:
I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears
as soon as there is an excess of things.
-Albert Camus, submitted by Ester in Barcelona, Catalonia

BOULDER:
Let the moment come
when nothing is left
but life,
and you will find
that you do not hesitate
over the fate of
material possessions.
-Edward V. Rickenbacker, submitted by Charlene G., Bellefonte, PA

PONDER:
It started as a tiny whisper that it was time for me to sell my home and move on. Over the last few months my intuition has evolved into a quest to LIGHTEN THE LOAD. Each box of stuff that is packed up to be donated, sold, or given away allows me to feel lighter and freer; this expansive feeling confirms that I am making the right choice to prepare for the next chapter in my life.

I wonder if there is a way you can LIGHTEN THE LOAD this week? It could be a chance to tackle a room, a shelf, or even just a drawer to figure out what you can do without. Another option might be to reach inside, see if there is an old grudge or an outdated way of looking at an issue that is no longer useful. A psychic clearing can be as freeing as a garage cleaning!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. If you live in the MADISON area, I invite you to join me at this Saturday's open house & estate sale. You can learn more here: http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=464&m=834&nl=13&s=5275e2f86fd9e03ae614f8c397361c8b&lid=2071&l=-https–www.facebook.com/events/387011184672957/

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Ripples #675: Force of Nature!
For our tribe of 30,888 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
05/01/2012

PEBBLE:
There is no passion to be found playing small-
-in settling for a life that is less
than the one you are capable of living.
-Nelson Mandela

BOULDER:
This is the true joy in life,
the being used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one;
the being a force of nature instead of
a feverish, selfish little clod
of ailments and grievances
complaining that the world
will not devote itself
to making you happy.
-George Bernard Shaw, submitted by Mary Catherine in Athens, GA

PONDER:
The world needs you to step over the annoying obstacles you are facing and step up to your destiny. You talents, your skills, your gifts, your perspective: they have all converged in one place and are waiting for you to become that FORCE OF NATURE that is your potential.

It could be as small as finishing off a project with flair, or as grand as charting a new course in a relationship or work or life. Keep your eyes open for the opportunity and be ready to unleash your potential.

Peace,
Paul
P.S. Shhhh….don't tell anyone, but I'll soon surpass a cool milestone on my Facebook Page: http://Facebook.com/TheRipplesGuy

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Ripples #672: Donuts & Holes.
For our tribe of 30,676 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
04/09/2012

PEBBLE:
As you ramble on through life, brother,
whatever be your goal,
keep your eye upon the donut
and not upon the hole.
-on the wall at "Dippy Donuts" in Omaha, NE;
submitted by Diane in Gilbert, AZ

BOULDER:
Decide to be happy today,
to live with what is yours:
your family, your business, your job, your luck.
If you can't have what you like,
maybe you can like what you have.
Just for today, be kind, cheerful, agreeable,
responsible, caring and understanding.
Be your best, dress your best, talk softly,
look for the bright side of things.
Praise people for what they do and
don't criticize them for what they cannot do.
If someone does something stupid,
forgive and forget.
After all,
it's just for one day.
-source unknown, submitted by Karen in Cincinnati, OH

PONDER:
If I asked you to brainstorm a list of things that would help make your life easier, you could probably identify a few pretty quickly: more money, different circumstances, more time with some people you enjoy and perhaps less time with certain other people.

Let's save that list for another day; instead, I want you to notice the "donuts" in your life…..the people and things and situations that make your life taste good. I challenge you, just for today (or maybe throughout this week?), to ignore the "hole"–the pieces that sometime feel missing–and just savor the goodness in your life.

Your life may be more delicious than you realize!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. Yeah, I know…I'm hungry for donuts now as well. Sorry about that…

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Ripples #671: Life Flow.
For our tribe of 30,690 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
04/02/2012

PEBBLE:
Live life like the flow of a stream,
at the end there is always something bigger.
-unknown, submitted by Aakash at Rutgers University, NJ

BOULDER:
At the heart of each of us,
whatever our imperfections,
there exists a silent pulse of perfect rhythm,
which is absolutely individual and unique,
and yet which connects us to everything else.
-George Leonard, shared via daily email from Values.com

PONDER:
Regardless of whether you've been receiving Ripples for a over a DECADE or just a FEW DAYS, today you are a part of this unique and powerful stream of inspiration. For as long as our paths cross, let's encourage each other to maximize the possibilities, minimize the difficulties, and savor every moment along the way.

Be brave enough to ask your friends and colleagues for help when you need it; alternately, if things are flowing easily for you be sure to keep your eyes open for someone who needs your help. Every opportunity you discover to help or be helped ensures the life flow more smoothly for us all.

Are you in?

Peace,
Paul
p.s. To my NIRSA peeps arriving home from Tampa: it was an honor to connect with you again. Remember to GET BETTER, NOT BITTER!

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Ripples #670: The Happiness Mindset.
For our tribe of 30,375 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
03/26/2012

PEBBLE:
Happiness is a mindset for your journey,
not the result of your destination.
-submitted by Swati from CA, inspired by Shawn Achor's TED talk
http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=458&m=828&nl=13&s=bc8c28e177a56b903703986c89a77108&lid=1966&l=-http–www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html

BOULDER:
We tend to forget that happiness
doesn't come as a result of getting
something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing
and appreciating
what we do have.
-Frederick Keonig, submitted by Nick in New Jersey & Mary in Arizona

PONDER:
Despite what you might think, happiness is not simply a personality trait that you're either born with or "oh well." Nor is it an elusive goal only achieved if you unlock a secret door or discover the hidden treasure. Research over the past 40 years suggests that while some people seem to have a higher "happiness set point," the concept of happiness is more accurately viewed as a SKILL that we can improve with training. We can "practice" happy by helping others, expressing gratitude, finding fresh ways to exercise, etc. I picked up these tidbits from a fantastic documentary called, simply enough, "Happy." http://theripplesproject.org/12all/lt.php?c=458&m=828&nl=13&s=bc8c28e177a56b903703986c89a77108&lid=1967&l=-http–www.thehappymovie.com/ It is a fast-paced 75-minute film that is definitely worth a peek.

Happiness isn't about painting a smile on your face and gritting your teeth through the inevitable difficulties that life hands us. Instead, it is about getting to know ourselves better and finding the courage to see if changing how we look at the world might actually change the world.

If you can easily identify a few people or activities in your life that consistently make you happy, be sure to enjoy them this week. If you'd like to be happier next week than you are today, I dare you to experiment: try a new food, strike up a conversation with a potential new friend, or find a new route to arrive at your usual destination.

It also helps to follow the advice that Bobby McFerrin planted in some of our heads a few decades ago: Don't worry, be happy!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. HEY TWITTER PALS: I'm shifting the daily quote tweet to @UnleashRipples so be sure to follow me there if you like your daily dose! This is also available via text by texting these two words to 40404: Follow UnleashRipples

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Ripples #669: One Day!
For our tribe of 30,320 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
03/20/2012

PEBBLE:
Don't let yesterday
use up too much of today.
-Cherokee Proverb, submitted by Lindsay at Lakeland College

BOULDER:
To dwell in the here and now does not mean you never think about the past or responsibly plan for the future. The idea is simply to not allow yourself to get lost in regret about the past or worries about the future.
-Thich Nhat Hanh, shared via Facebook by Gina Sue in Lincoln, NE

PONDER:
If you had exactly ONE DAY to live, who would you touch base with? What activities would you enjoy? What would you eat? I have some great news that might scare you: You do, in fact, have exactly one day to live…TODAY! You cannot live yesterday, it is already done and gone. You cannot live tomorrow because it hasn't arrived yet. Our pebble cautions against using too much of today on yesterday, and our boulder invites you to worry less about the future. That leaves us with making this day your one awesome chance: maximize it, savor it, live it!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. Do you know that besides this weekly email blast, I also shoot out a DAILY quote via Facebook? Just it the LIKE button on my page and I'll do the rest! http://Facebook.com/TheRipplesGuy

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Ripples #668: Make Mistakes.
For our tribe of 30,211 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
03/12/2012

PEBBLE:
Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back.
-Yogi Berra, submitted by Amanda in Two Rivers, WI

BOULDER:
You have to make mistakes
to find out who you aren't.
You take the action,
and the insight follows:
You don't think your way
into becoming yourself.
-Anne Lamott, submitted by Brett in Madison, WI

PONDER:
It takes a bit of courage to forgive yourself when you make a mistake. Sometimes it is even braver to go forth *knowing* you are going to get some things wrong. In the laboratory of life, the art of intentionally making mistakes allows you to quickly learn how NOT to do something. That moves you closer to knowing how you CAN do it. Wisdom grows from errors. Of course there are some things you cannot afford to get wrong, so don't carelessly plow into a final exam or the most important meeting of the year! Assess the situation, and seek opportunities to make some mistakes that will help you grow into the person you want to be.

Peace,
Paul
p.s. Welcome to our new peeps from Metro State College of Denver and Edmonds Community College. Thanks for letting me hang out with you all!

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Ripples #667: Your Team!
For our tribe of 30,134 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
03/05/2012

PEBBLE:
If you wish to go quickly, go alone.
If you wish to go far, go together.
-African Proverb, submitted by Shelly at Oregon State University

BOULDER:
There is no such thing as a "self-made" person.
We are made up of thousands of others.
Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us,
or spoken one word of encouragement to us,
has entered into the make-up of our character
and of our thoughts, as well as our success.
-George Matthew Adams, submitted by Micole H. in Omaha, NE

PONDER:
Who is on your TEAM?

Which of your friends, family, and colleagues are you especially grateful to have in your life AND whom consistently have your back when necessary? Have you told them lately that you appreciate being able to count on them?

Since our very first issue back in 1999, the success of Ripples has relied on an evolving TEAM of remarkable people who contribute fantastic quotes, invite others to subscribe, and occasionally share feedback about how these Ripples matter. I hope that each of you recognize your valuable role in TEAM RIPPLES, even if it is to simply pause for 60 seconds every Monday and glance at the latest issue.

Peace,
Paul
p.s. Our team quietly crossed the 30,000 mark a few weeks ago. I chose not to recognize it in part because it seems counter-intuitive to celebrate the LARGE number of subscribers to an email that reminds us to focus on the SMALL stuff. Still, yay us!

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Ripples #666.5: Quirky You!
For our tribe of 30,188 busy people who share encouragement and gratitude.
02/28/2012

PEBBLE:
Embrace your uniqueness.
Time is much too short
to be living someone else's life.
-source unknown

BOULDER:
You know those things about yourself
that you're self conscious of?
Those quirks that you're trying to hide?
Those are not your weaknesses,
those are your strengths.
-Terry Border, submitted by Samantha in New Hampshire

PONDER:
You're weird. Yeah, you kinda are.
But here's the deal: your quirks don't show you are flawed, they prove you are fabulous. So stop trying to hide in the shadows; the world really needs you to shine. It might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you'll soon notice that it will help you bring your full and best self to every day. And bonus: you'll be inviting those around you to do the same. When that happens, everyone wins!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. Hello to my new friends from St. Norbert College who embraced my quirks last weekend when we explored the dangerous topic of diversity. #uRock!

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