Ripples
Every Monday since 1999, Paul has been sending out Ripples, an email containing two upbeat quotes submitted by readers (Pebble, Boulder) and something to think about for the week (Ponder). Enjoy recent issues below, and farther down you can use the keyword cloud or search bar to dive into our archive of over 1,300 issues. Have a quote that might make a good Pebble or Boulder? Submit it here!

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Ripples #1423: Gentle Upon Yourself

PEBBLE
May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself.
~Jonathan Lockwood Huie, shared by John in Memphis, TN

BOULDER

We discover a gracious capacity for empathy when we learn to lean into our hurt places with the tender curiosity and care of a close friend.…
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August 31, 2026

Ripples #1402: Today Me, Tomorrow Me

PEBBLE
Today, I accept myself for who I am.
Tomorrow, I’ll accept myself for who I will be!
~Bart Greenberger, written and shared by Bart in Ringgold, GA

BOULDER

It’s like, at the end, there’s this surprise quiz:
Am I proud of me?…
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April 6, 2026

Ripples #1399: Caring Hands as Wings

PEBBLE
Hatred is born of ignorance. Fear is its father, and isolation is its mother.
~Christian Picciolini, as quoted by Father Gregory Boyle

BOULDER

We are at a basic crossroads between deepening the decency that comes from caring for each other and spreading the contagion of making anyone who is different into an enemy.…
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March 16, 2026

Ripples #1374: Helping Each Other Through

PEBBLE
We are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is.
~Mark Vonnegut, as shared by his father Kurt Vonnegut in speeches and writing; mentioned by Gary Goldman during the documentary Group Therapy

BOULDER

Pete, while chatting with his friend and fellow stand-up comedian Mike Birbiglia on Mike’s podcast, tells a story about going to the theater with his wife on a day there had been a minor earthquake.…
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September 22, 2025
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