Ripples #932: Still Riding!
Apr 3, 2017
PEBBLE
If you fall off a bike and get back up, you are no longer the person who fell – you are the person who is still riding.
-Marie Forleo, shared by Loreal in Corpus Christi
BOULDER
Anyone can give up, it is the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone would understand if you fell apart, that is true strength.
-Chris Bradford, shared by Leslie in Madison, WI
PONDER
What. A. Week.
I won’t bog you down with details, but here’s the short version: a few people really liked last week’s Ripples, and a few people really did *not*. I spent quite a bit of time crafting apologies–not so much because I thought I messed up in some significant way; instead, I was genuinely sorry that I wasn’t able to communicate what I believe is an important message in a way that several people–including some longtime readers–not only couldn’t hear, but actually experienced as hostile). I attribute much of the unfortunate miscommunication to the erosion of civility we’ve *all* witnessed and participated in over the last few years. These are the times we live in, and they are unfortunately not going away any time soon.
It was the first time in over 900 weeks that I seriously contemplated taking a break and pressing pause on the weekly splashes long enough for me to catch my breath a bit and reflect on the future. After processing with a few people whose perspective I value highly, I recognized that this is precisely the time I need to forge ahead despite any turbulence I encounter. And so, my fellow Ripplers, I’m here to assure you that I am still Riding, and still Rippling!
I hope that whatever difficulties *you* are facing this week provide the right amount of opportunities for healing, learning, and growing. Rest when you must, then hop back up and keep riding. I promise to do the same!
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Guy
P.S. For those who really enjoyed last week’s Ripples: yay! For those who didn’t: I hear you, and I’m sorry it rubbed you the wrong way. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed enough issues that you decide on balance Ripples is still for you. If not, that’s perfectly okay. Every week 30-50 people decide Ripples is no longer for them and they unsubscribe. Some of them eventually come back because they miss us, and others find new sources of inspiration that work better for them. Either way: Namaste.
