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

Leap….and a net will appear!
original source unknown, submitted by Ann <awilliam@yahoo.com>

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

We must walk consciously
only part way toward our goal,
and then leap in the dark to our success.
-Henry David Thoreau, submitted by Ben <mongioi@msn.com>

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

I wrapped up my June craziness with a trip to my favorite
destination: Colorado! I presented my "Archeology of Passion"
workshop for a church that I attend when I vacation in Denver. We
talked about the importance of "taking action" as a key tool to
excavating your passion. I dare you to take action this week on some
big task on your "to do" list. You don't need to FINISH it by
Friday; just take some big leap toward getting started!

Peace,
Paul
p.s. I have not been home to collect envelopes for last week's
challenge. I will report next week how we did, and if you don't know
what I'm talking about, read last week's issue in our archives and
then you can pitch in if you're interested:
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/eRipples

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

Our lives no longer belong to us alone; they belong to all who need
us desperately.
-Elie Wiesel, submitted by Jodie <j_gilfeather@hotmail.com>

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

You are not here merely to make a living.

You are here in order to enable the world to live…
with a finer spirit of hope and achievement.

You are here to enrich the world, and
impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.
-Woodrow Wilson, submitted by Cheri <cskaggs@seidata.com>

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

Last week, while travelling to spend a few days with the Missouri
School Food Service Association (a really fun group of people, by the
way!), I came across a newspaper article about a man from Tennesee
who decided to enrich the world in a rather unique way. He created
the website http://www.ModestNeeds.org and he takes requests from
people who have been getting by just fine, but then have a crisis or
unexpected need that creates a temporary shortage of money.

The man is not wealthy (he's a university professor!), but he manages
to give away hundreds of his own dollars each month. Some people
have sent money, but far more people email him to say "nice job" than
actually pitch in with a donation. He mentioned on his website
recently that if everyone who sent an email had sent in $5, he would
be able to give away much more money.

SO, here is my idea: let's all send him $5! I will collect all the
envelopes (without opening them) and match the donations (for each
envelope sent in, I'll donate $5 too!). For each 100 people who
contribute, we'll raise $1,000 for his foundation!, If even ten
percent of our members participated that would amount to $7,000!
Imagine how cool it will be for him to receive a giant box full of
money to fuel his passion!

C'mon, I dare you! Send just $5 and I'll mention soon after how much
money we raised for him!
If you're writing a check, make it payable to: Modest Needs Foundation
Send to: Ripples for Modest Needs, 1213 N Sherman #342, Madison WI 53704

I PROMISE it will enrich your world!

Peace,
Paul

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

You haven't lived until you've learned to treasure every moment given,
to realize that the slightest touch may hold a hidden heaven.
-Kay Wrightman, submitted by Diane <DianeWrightman@msn.com>

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

I have observed the power of the watermelon seed.

It has the power of drawing from the ground and through itself
200,000 times its weight.

When you can tell me how it takes this material and out of it colors
an outside surface beyond the imitation of art, and then forms inside
of it a white rind and within that again a red heart, thickly inlaid
with black seeds, each one of which in turn is capable of drawing
through itself 200,000 times its weight-when you can explain to me
the mystery of the watermelon, you can ask me to explain the mystery
of God.
-William Jennings Bryan, submitted by Linda <lilacrosse@hotmail.com>

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

Summer officially arrives this week, although some spots have already
had many weeks of warm sunshine. A few hundred eRipples subscribers
and I were down in New Orleans last week for CUNA Mutual Group's
annual Discovery Conference and while the theme of the awesome event
was "Unlock the Power," I'm pretty sure the theme of New Orleans was
"HOT & HUMID!'

Do not forget to enjoy the summer, even if you have to be inside most
of the day. Come up with some excuse, some errand, SOMETHING to get
you outside so the sun can kiss you!

Peace,
Paul

p.s. RUNNING OUT! We are almost out of the original "Deck of Inspiration"
so order this week if you want to be sure an own a set
because these quotes are being retired!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm

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

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect,
it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.
-original source unknown, submitted by Carolyn <parker@USTA.com>

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

We do not usually
discover happiness
in the pursuit of it.

Most often it is a byproduct,
coming to us as we are in the midst
of giving ourselves to another.
-Alan Loy McGinnis, submitted by Janet <mtgexpct@execpc.com>

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

I admit it: I'm a sucker for leadership conferences! I spent some
time this week helping kick off HOBY Wisconsin's annual seminar and I
am still high from the experience! Over 250 high school students
were nominated by their teachers to attend as the cream of the crop
from their school, and together they created an awesome force of
energy!

I was already having a good week, but I admit I found a new plane of
happiness after being around such an incredible group of people. I
hope YOU can raise your happiness level this week by finding some
really AWESOME people to spend time with!

Peace,
Paul

p.s. New item in our store! You can now purchase inspirational
notecards WITH ENVELOPES!
http://www.TheRipplesProject.org/store/browse.cfm

eRipples: a FREE quick splash from Paul & The Ripples Project
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©2002 The Ripples Project

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

Always be true to yourself. A true individual is such a rare thing
in today's society.
Uniqueness and independence are like rare gems — wear them proudly
and tastefully.
-submitted by Nicole Placek <ladynicole7@yahoo.com>

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

The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity.
Choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity…
these are the choices that measure your life.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back,
for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.
-submitted by Linda M. Nesheim <linda.nesheim@CUNAMutual.com>

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

This week I travelled to New Hampshire to help Plymouth State College
welcome new students and their parents with a summer orientation
program. One of the key pieces we focused on was the importance of
being yourself. I think all of us need a reminder that sometimes our
desire to FIT IN overshadows the soul's desire to STAND OUT. Create
a ripple this week by daring yourself to be uniquely YOU in some
meaningful way: perhaps you could be the single voice of dissent in
a meeting, or you might wear a flower even if it seems out of place;
just do SOMETHING to stand out!

Peace,
Paul

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