Ripples v8.51: Ripples of DECEMBER!
12/18/06: a complimentary splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

I don't know the key to success,
but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.
-Bill Cosby, submitted by Tina L., WI and Marsha C., Madison WI

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

I heard a bird sing in the dark of December;
a magical thing and sweet to remember.
‘We are nearer to Spring than we were in September.’
I heard a bird sing in the dark of December.
-source unknown. submitted by Linda V, Ames IA

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

If you are having a completely happy, stress-free holiday so far, then disregard this week's "Ponder!"

Just in case it has been less than ideal, it is essential to recall an important truism regarding this time of year: holidays are often as challenging as they are enjoyable! Many of us are tempted to take the idealistic images represented throughout our culture and compare them to our holiday experience which may include a bit of aggravation, disappointment, and even sadness. RESIST!

Even a fantastic experience is bound to have a few drawbacks, so do yourself and your family/friends/co-workers a favor and manage your expectations. Enjoy any small pleasurable moments you can find: a smile from a stranger, a brisk walk on a cold evening, or if you really need a lift then maybe you could scroll through the Ripples archives and find a good quote to paste to your computer! And know that some blechy stuff will happen along the way!

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, remember that this week also includes winter solstice which the "darkest" day of the year in terms of the number of daylight minutes. This could add to your frustration, so remember also that very soon each day will have a bit more sunlight!

No "Ripples" next week, so hang in there and we will see you next year!

Peace,

Paul

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Ripples v8.50: Ripples of LIFE DANCING!
12/11/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

Do the hokey pokey once a week,
just in case that’s really what it’s all about.
-Scott Friedman, submitted by Tracy D., Billings MT

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

Life may not be
the party we hoped for,
but while we are here,
we may as well dance!
-source unknown, submitted by Tammie H., Lincoln NE

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

Things may be getting crazy for you this time of year…so four quick suggestions for sanity:

Put your left foot in,
Put your left foot out,
Put your left foot in,
And shake it all about!

Peace,
Paul

P.S. One more batch of photos available at the bottom of this topic:
http://theripplesproject.org/smf/index.php?topic=204.0

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Ripples v8.49: Ripples of SHINING!
12/04/06: a FREE splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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

Few persons have courage enough
to appear as good as they really are.
-Julius Charles Hare, submitted by Lauren M., McFarland WI

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

Meditate.
Live purely.
Be quiet.
Do your work with mastery.
Like the moon,
come out from behind the clouds.
Shine!
-Buddha, submitted by Cindy K., Green Bay WI

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

I am enjoying my vacation through the wilds of Wyoming, and in between hours of hiking and driving and just staring out the window, I spent time this week pouring over the hundreds of quote submissions from the past month….talk about SHINING! It was such a treat to look through them and see a bounty of potential pebbles and boulders; many of you took the time to share passages from your favorite writers and singers, and a few of you even penned your own words. I believe that our humble little newsletter splash will SHINE even brighter in 2007.

I hope YOU can do something really brave and extraordinary this week: SHINE! At work, at school, at home, with friends…wherever you are just be your fantastic, magnificent, shiny self!

Oh, and If you liked last week's photos….I added a few more vacation pictures as a reply to last week's posting in our community forum. (If you cannot SEE the photos after you click on the link, it is because so many people are viewing the page at that moment. You can either click on the photo's file names and download them OR just hit the refresh button on your browser a few times and they should pop up eventually.)
http://theripplesproject.org/smf/index.php?topic=204.0

Peace,
Paul

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