Sep 6, 2010

PEBBLE:
There are exactly as many special occasions in life
as we choose to celebrate. -Robert Brault

BOULDER:
The value of this day is impossible to measure, for it will never come
again. I do not wish to regret its passing. What I do today is up to me and
no one else. I can use it to good advantage or squander it away. The choice
is mine. I will try and make my day one of: success rather than failure;
satisfaction rather than frustration; joy rather than tears; contentment
rather than worry; and love rather that hate.
-adapted from unknown source, submitted by Dixie S., Valley City ND

PONDER:
Please forgive my brevity, but I must rush outside soon to celebrate today.
Do me a favor and stop reading your emails and join the celebration: run
outside and walk barefoot in the grass or call a friend and make them giggle
or savor a single cookie. Just do something joyful to Celebrate Today!

Peace,
Paul

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PEBBLE:
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
-Lao Tzu, submitted by Linn W., Milwaukee WI

BOULDER:
There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss;

and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some
kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new. We fear
these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn
out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.
-Rick Warren, submitted by Rachel K., LaBelle FL

PONDER:
It is holding you back more than you realize. It might be a belief, a
routine, a perspective, a pattern. That was the way it has always been,
that was the way you were taught by your elders. It may have been the right
way AND it might be time for a new way. If the idea of letting it go is
really scary, then perhaps dare yourself just to set it aside for a few
months to see what new possibilities might open up when you clear out the
spaces in your heart, your mind, and/or your schedule which currently hold
"the old way." Gently remind yourself that you can always go back and
retrieve it if "the new way" doesn't produce the results you desire.

Peace,
Paul

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PEBBLE: We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
-Kahlil Gibran, submitted by Rebecca W., Chicago IL

BOULDER: It's a choice you can make: to have joy, to find joy and to
spread joy. -Natalie Portman, submitted by Maureen O., Shawano WI

PONDER: Friday found me in one of my favorite Madison spots: the UW
Arboretum where the UW Medical Foundation Clinic Managers held their annual
retreat. It really was a joy to spend the day with them, and we spent part
of our time together discussing the choices we have in our work and lives.

We don't always get to choose what happens in our day, we don't always get
to choose the people we are around. We can always choose how we respond to
these events and people, and we can choose joy even when that isn't our
first reaction. Anger is the right choice sometimes and so is sadness, and
all the other emotions as well. Just remember that joy is also available to
you, waiting for you to choose her. She can transform any ordinary moment
into a miracle.

Peace,
Paul

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PEBBLE: Freedom lies in being bold.
-Robert Frost, submitted by Mari M, Sturgeon Bay WI

BOULDER: We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery,
guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is
all gates, all opportunities.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, submitted by Nathalie H., San Antonio TX

PONDER: Many ripplers are preparing to head back to school, hopefully with
grand visions of new possibilities and new directions. Even if your heart
and soul doesn't operate on an academic calendar, we are all students of
life. This could be a fine week to invent, to discover, and then to boldy
go where you have you have not gone before. You go, Ripplers, YOU GO!

Peace,
Paul
August 16, 2010

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PEBBLE: True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what
sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. -William Penn, submitted
by Lois B., Calumet MI

BOULDER: In the beginning we have to force ourselves to be silent. But
then from our very silence is born something that draws us into deeper
silence. May God give you an experience of this "something" that is born of
silence. -Issac of Nineveh, 7th c. Syrian monk, submitted by Maggie J.,
Newburg OR

PONDER: Shhhhhhhh. I dare you to find some time and some place to be
silent for longer than usual. A few moments, a few minutes, a few hours.
Listen to your heart, listen to your soul, and most importantly: listen to
the silence to see what it sounds like and how it speaks to you. Shhhhhhh.

Peace,
Paul
August 9, 2010

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You will never reach your destination if you
stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.
-Winston Churchill, submitted by Nick P., NJ

________
BOULDER

Leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough
to make mistakes, humble enough to admit them, strong enough to absorb the
pain, and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving.
-Jesse Jackson, submitted by Kalea A., Chico CA

_______
PONDER

Life for me has been crazy and loud lately. Lots of stuff going on, lots
of background noise, lots of "dogs barking" (not Grendel, of course). Some
of you know I'm not shy about extroverting one of my favorite mantras, "Let
It Go!" or "L.I.G." for short.

I've been pondering and loving the Churchill quote in this week's Pebble
for several weeks because it reminds me that being RIGHT about something
doesn't necessarily I should let someone or something linger in my soul if
it is frustrating me. Life is full, life is crazy full, right? So let's
strive this week to move past the barking dogs and focus on the fun stuff.

I'm in. Are you?

Peace,
Paul

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_______
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.

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_______
PEBBLE

We immediately become more effective when we decide
to change ourselves rather than asking things to change for us.
-Stephen Covey, submitted by Nick P., NJ

________
BOULDER

God grant me
the serenity to accept
the people I cannot change,
the courage to change
the ONE I can,
and the wisdom to know…
it's ME!
-John Miller, submitted by Doreen L.

_______
PONDER

Lots of people spend lots of time and lots of energy thinking about how the
world could improve if lots of things changed.

Some people seem to know that some significant changes are possible when we
make some changes within ourselves.

Are you one of the lots, or one of the some? I dare you to consider some
small changes this week that could lead to something awesome.

Peace,
Paul

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_______
PEBBLE

Everyone will come to a point in their life when they have to choose
between what is right and what is easy.
-Albus Dumbledore (J.K. Rowling), submitted by Ryan K, Ashland WI

________
BOULDER

People often ask you, "What's the most embarrassing moment you had in your
life?" Oftentimes, we try to go to a humorous place. But the most
embarrassing moments are when we fail to live up to the moral courage we're
required to.
-Terrence Howard, submitted by Terry H., Oak Creek WI

_______
PONDER

When choosing between "right" and "easy" I urge you to remember that the
easier path doesn't always stay easy. Often times when we choose the RIGHT
path it involves some extra effort up front and then later on down the road
we realize that our road is much easier because the hard part is over and
done.

Whether it is a big or small choice, whether it is for work or school or
home or somewhere else, I dare you to ponder your options and seek the right
path even if it requires more effort. No, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE it requires
more effort. You can do it, and you will benefit in the long run.

Make Dumbledore proud!

Peace,
Paul

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_______
PEBBLE

There is a life-affirming spark within you which constantly nudges you
towards saying yes to life.
Create your YES list; a list of all the things you want to say YES to, and
be prepared to be amazed.
-Linda MacDonald, submitted by Bruce P., Madison WI

________
BOULDER

All your life you are told
the things you cannot do.
All your life they will say
you’re not good enough or
strong enough or talented enough;
they will say you’re the wrong height
or wrong weight or the wrong type
to play this or be this or achieve this.

THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no,
until all the no’s become meaningless.
All your life they will tell you no,
quite firmly and very quickly.
AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES.
-Nike ad, submitted by Montanna Z., WI

_______
PONDER

Who or what could you SAY YES to and change everything?

What if you did?

Peace,
Paul

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