PEBBLE
I have discovered that solitary times can create an opportunity for personal growth. In my moments of aloneness, I have found my identity.
-Kiondra Broadway aka Ms. Broadway Therapy, shared by Tempus in Tokyo, Japan
BOULDER
There’s so much noise in the world today that we’ve forgotten to hear the beautiful sound of our own soul. To hear your own voice, sometimes you have to be willing to lose your connection with the people, places, and things that create all the noise in your life. Carve out some time to disconnect from the noise around you and reconnect with yourself.
-Project Happiness, shared by Jane in Arizona
PONDER
I treasure the connections I’ve made with so many remarkable human beings. The neighbor buddies I walk with; the friends I have sprinkled about and occasionally get to hug in person but mostly connect with via emails and texts and Zoomy zooms; and oh wowsa do I love the magical connection I have with you and the other kind spirits who join me for a minute every Monday to savor these brief splashes of inspiration.
A few decades of being “The Ripples Guy” has taught me that I’m more fully available for building, maintaining, and deepening quality connections when I carve out time for disconnection, too: clearing my calendar, stepping away from social media, and spending time in solitude. After a few weeks alone, I’m usually feeling refreshed and ready to dive back into the hustly-bustly world that is my life.
As I prepare to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with myself, I invite you to check in with yourself to see if the idea sounds appealing for you, too. It doesn’t have to be measured in weeks: a few days or even a few protected hours can be restorative. Try it and see!
Peace,
Paul
P.S. Even though I won’t be online or tending to emails like I usually do, I’ve spent the last few weeks doing “double Ripples duty” so a fresh issue Ripples will still land in your inbox every Monday while I’m offline. See you soon!
