Ripples #1194: Extraordinary Magic

PEBBLE

Darling, you’ve got magic in your bones, and gold in your soul. Don’t let anyone treat you like you’re ordinary.
-Billy Chapata, shared by Ari in Los Angeles, CA via @iambrillyant

BOULDER

You can’t control how other people receive your energy. Anything you do or say gets filtered through the lens of whatever they are going through at that moment which is not about you. Just keep doing your thing with as much integrity and love as possible.
-Nanea Hoffman, shared by Claudia in Kindness Cloud Facebook Group

PONDER

We are naturally social creatures, of course, and because of this we inevitably seek validation from others. This is especially true when we’re risking vulnerability…trying to decide how much of our true selves to show the world.

We receive so many messages that seem to be invalidating our existence, telling us we’re too this or not enough that. Our reactions can tend towards the opposite extremes of either completely withdrawing to hide ourselves from the world OR completely ignoring what anyone else has to think or say about us. I believe each of these extremes have their place, and I’ve found them both comforting at certain points in my personal and professional development. At the same time, I don’t find either of them a good permanent home for my spirit.

I have a sneaking suspicion that it is worthwhile to view these opposing needs as a polarity: we humans have a strong need to be seen for who we are AND there are times when the validation of others helps us grow into the best possible versions of ourselves. We don’t need to be constantly dependent upon the feedback of others, nor do we need to permanently plug our ears and refuse to consider how others perceive us.

We’ve explored the concept of interdependence in Ripples a few times (see Ripples #1118 and even way back to this one). I think today’s quotes encourage us to shine not by ignoring what others are saying, but instead acknowledging and then rising above the noise.

How about we raise our wands and release our extraordinary magic this week…in spite of what others are saying or precisely because of what others are saying. Are you in?

Peace,
Paul
P.S. Thanks for any time you encounter a useful nugget of wisdom and think “Ooh, I wonder if Paul could use this as a Pebble or a Boulder?” Just click on the “Submit a Quote” button below to share the details!

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