RIPPLES: a free weekly dose of inspiration
version 2.08 [Monday, February 21, 2000]
©2000 Stone Soup Seminars
PEBBLE
Hope is not pretending that troubles don’t exist.
It is the trust that they will not last forever,
that hurts will be healed and difficulties overcome.
It is faith that a source of strength and renewal lies within,
to lead us through the dark into sunshine.
written by: Elizabeth A. Chase
submitted by: Meshelle Johns
RIPPLES IN ACTION
written & submitted by: Kathryn Johnson
My daughter grew up seeing her parents and others in our neighborhood doing
acts of kindness for each other. She is grown and married now and has
experienced her own ripple. Last summer she was awakened by sirens and
realized they were stopping across the street at her neighbor’s house. My
daughter and her husband went over to see what was needed. It turned out
that the neighbor’s husband was having a heart attack. My kids went with
her to the hospital, stayed with her as her husband died, and took special
care with her in the days and weeks ahead. They have invited her over many
times since then. My daughter is now expecting a baby and found out that
she has to return to work six weeks after the baby is born to keep her
health insurance. Her neighbor Irene has her own business so is her own
boss. She has offered to take off time for work this spring, for the 4-5
weeks that my daughter needs to return to work as a part time teacher until
summer vacation. The ripple of love between these two families is
wonderful to see.
PONDER
Ripples are Real! Two weeks ago, I asked Ripples subscribers to invite
some friends to join our project and received over 100 new requests to
subscribe. Last week’s request for examples of real-life ripples resulted
in a handful of AMAZING stories of good deeds that rippled back to the
originator when needed.
As we continue to build The Ripples Project, we need to develop the notion
that anytime you create kindness in the world, it finds a way to come back
to you just when you need it. So keep passing these Ripples on, and take a
moment to tell me about a some Ripple of kindness that came back to you
when you needed it.
Peace to you,
Paul