eRipples: version 2.19 [Monday, May 8, 2000]
PEBBLE
Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it
and whispers, “Grow, grow.”
original source: The Talmud
submitted by: Jodi Cohen
BOULDER
Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
If this was easier, ponder this: The people who make a difference in your
life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the
most awards. They are the ones that care.
original source unknown
submitted by: Jeff Kuepper
PONDER
Last week I shared with you my trip to the middle of Nowhere. Well, I
simply must tell you about the Somewhere I visited this weekend. After a
fabulous Thursday with 600 high school students and an invigorating Friday
with the northwest regional conference of the Association for Work site
Health Promotion, I spent the weekend exploring the magnificent natural
wonders and unique urban fabric of Portland, Oregon. A leisurely drive up
the Columbia River allowed me to enjoy a series of breathtaking waterfalls,
all of them causing an adrenaline rush, and one with a drop of over 700
feet! I also spent a few hours in a tranquil Japanese Garden and a lively
afternoon enjoying the sites, sounds and tastes (oh, the tastes) of
Portland.
The city seems to have done a remarkable job of creating a dense population
center (complete with skyscrapers, shopping centers, suburbs and a
fantastic mass transit system) that blends harmoniously with the unique
natural surroundings (dense temperate forests, snow-covered mountains, and
majestic waterways), In a particularly stunning view of the city from a
park that sits above this city, the tall buildings crop up beyond the
towering Pines as though they were working together to keep this community
in balance with the planet.
The scene sparked some curiosity in me: Could the things in life that
often appear to CONFLICT with each other actually work TOGETHER to make
things more peaceful? I hope you can spend some time this week exploring
ways to encourage harmony and balance in your everyday life.
Peace to you,
Paul
©2000 The Ripples Project