Ripples v9.18: Wonder!
4/30/07: a free weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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The Seven Wonders of the World are not really what you think. They are:
1. To see 2. To hear 3. To touch 4. To taste 5. To feel 6. To laugh 7. To love
-source unknown, submitted by Sandy F., Sun Prairie WI

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People travel to wonder
at the height of mountains,
at the huge waves of the sea,
at the long courses of rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars;
and they pass by themselves without wondering.
-St. Augustine, submitted by Cindy K., Green Bay WI

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I wonder what would happen if you spent five precious minutes today wondering. Wondering about yourself, wondering about the present moment, wondering about the possibilities that exist for you today.

I wonder…..will you?

Peace,
Paul
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Ripples v9.17: Positive Focus!
4/23/07: a free weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds,
can change the outer aspects of their lives.
-William James, submitted by Samantha T., Milwaukee WI

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When you're in your nineties and looking back,
it's not going to be how much money you made or
how many awards you've won.
It's really, what did you stand for?
Did you make a positive difference for people?
-Elizabeth Dole, submitted by Linda H., Manhattan KS

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Many of us spent time this week thinking about the shootings at Virginia Tech and I was so glad to hear that the Hokies who are members of The Ripples Project are safe. One of them, Cara M., responded to my query about what members of The Ripples Project could do to support the Virginia Tech community. She wrote: "I ask at this time for all of us to focus on the positive: We must focus on the kindness, the good, the loving and the Hokie spirit. All of us in the world are one community hurting, let us love one another and support one another during this difficult time."

It may seem like a difficult challenge to focus on the positive in light of such awful events. And even as we paused to focus on the tragic events in Blacksburg, hundreds of people died in Iraq, Darfur, and other places that human beings call home. And as someone who weekly puts together this weekly "splash of inspiration" I am the first to admit it is not always easy to be positive. I don't think it needs to be EASY, I just think it needs to be WORTH it.

So, can you join the Ripples community by identifying something POSITIVE that has come out of a recent troubling event? You may want to consider the Imus Firing, the Virginia Tech Shootings, Iraq, Darfur, or any other public or private situation. I invite you to post your comments at one of our two new communities (they are FREE to join!):

Ripples on Facebook: http://www.FACEBOOK.com/group.php?gid=2204886661
Ripples on MySpace: http://Groups.MYSPACE.com/TheRipplesProject

And this week, just like very week, I am positive that we all need a little more….

…Peace,

Paul

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Ripples v9.16: Growing!
4/16/07: a free weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

Ripples on Facebook: http://www.FACEBOOK.com/group.php?gid=2204886661
Ripples on MySpace: http://Groups.MYSPACE.com/TheRipplesProject

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One can choose to go back toward safety
or forward toward growth.
Growth must be chosen again and again;
fear must be overcome again and again.
-Abraham Maslow, submitted by Sarah Z., Fond du Lac WI

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Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile spring soil.
The first seed said: "I want to grow!
I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and
thrust my sprouts through the earth's crust above me…
I want to unfurl my tender buds like banners
to announce the arrival of spring…
I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and
the blessing of the morning dew on my petals!"

AND SO THE FIRST SEED GREW…….

The second seed said: "I am afraid.
If I send my roots into the ground below,
I don't know what I will encounter in the dark.
If I push my way through the hard soil above me
I may damage my delicate sprouts…
What if I let my buds open and a snail tries to eat them?
And if I were to open my blossoms,
a small child may pull me from the ground.
No; It is much better for me to wait until it is safe."

AND SO THE SECOND SEED WAITED……..

A yard hen happened by one day and
started scratching around in the early spring ground for food….
found the waiting seed and promptly ate it.
Moral of this story:
Those of us who refuse to risk and grow,
could get swallowed up in life.
-original source unknown, submitted by Stacey

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I did some growing this week, thanks to a few hundred Ripplers who helped me move into the land of FACEBOOK, MYSPACE and LINKEDIN. If you are not familiar, these "social networking" sites are quickly redefining how people can create, maintain, and deepen their relationships using the internet. In a few weeks, we are going to have an issue of Ripples on this theme and encourage everyone to connect up on one of these sites. In the meantime, may I challenge YOU to do some growing this week by trying something new, taking a risk, or improving your abilities in some area. It could keep you from getting "swallowed up" and it might even be (gasp) fun!

On your mark, get set, GROW!

Peace,
Paul

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Ripples v9.15: Chaos & Dancing Stars!
4/9/07: a free weekly splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

Are you a Facebook or MySpace junkie? Read all the way through for a request!

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You need chaos in your soul
to give birth to a dancing star.
-Fredrich Nietzsche, submitted by Barbara B., Bellevue WA

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If we look at the things in our lives
that were the most trying,
the most painful and frustrating,
we have to admit that
there was value in it.
If you can't see this,
you probably aren't seeing it
from a distant enough perspective.
-source unknown, submitted by Mia C., Greensboro NC

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Some days are easier than others, and some weeks seem to provide more CHAOS than the easy-breezy fun times. If you have recently faced some challenges large or small, I hope there is a DANCING STAR shining down for you soon!

Peace,
Paul

P.S. I need some help with an upcoming project for Ripples, and a few lucky helpers could win $100! If you have a profile on Facebook, MySpace, and/or LinkedIn, please send an email with CONNECT in the subject line and I provide details soon!

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Ripples v9.14: Kindness!
4/2/07: a free splash from Paul & The Ripples Project

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Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
-Confucius, submitted by Linda H., Pewaukee WI

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Do a deed of simple kindness;
Though its end you may not see,
It may reach, like widening ripples,
Down a long eternity.
-Jospeh Norris, submitted by Melissa M., Indianapolis, IN

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Our pebble this week focuses on kindness we receive while the boulder is about the kindness we bring to others. I want the ponder to serve as a quick reminder that one of the keys to happiness in life is ample doses of both. So GIVE kind and RECEIVE kind and all will be well.

Peace & Kindness to you,
Paul
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