a moment to pause
One of the first principle practices of our community is Loving-Kindness (metta). It's grounded in generosity, one of the nine attributes of mindfulness, as is gratitude which I touched on last week.
We can be generous with ourselves and others, and acting generously to all creatures' well-being recognizes our interconnectedness. Amazing things happen when we are generous with our attention, listen to understand, offer wisdom, and work in a way that ripples kindness into the world.
At its core, it promotes a growth mindset and cultivates connection and belonging by linking the giver and receiver, which many are thirsty for today.
I see our community as a salve for what pains humanity today. It's a brave space of like-hearted humans looking to be better humans to other humans, and I appreciate the generous energy you bring into our circle.
I recently received this text from someone in our community.
"You have been so very kind to me. I feel it as personal. Not in a creepy way. Just...honest and genuine. It's so unexpected. Welcomed. Needed. Appreciated. Thank you."
It's personal because this moment is too crucial for it not to be. Within our communities and corporations, we have allowed things to become transactional and isolating, but through our practice, we can choose a path of generosity and connection.
Until next week, keep rippling something worth rippling.
Namaste,
Michael
Ripples of Wisdom:
Yesterday, I asked those who receive our mindfulness texts, if they could share one sentence with future generations, what would it be?
Their responses were terrific - here they are:
If it matters to you, then it matters, and that's all that matters. - Jennifer
Your heart always knows the way. - Khadijih
Be kind to and foster growth in one another. - Jacob
Become aware of an embrace your self worth early. - Connie
If you emanate loving-kindness into the world, it changes everything. Tolle via Chris
Listen with a n open heart, open mind, and open will. - Michelle
Use moisturizer and sunscreen on your face. - Andrea
Be present in all your being. - Kongit
Remember acceptance and allow everything to be. - Alicia
Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. - Brandis
Be Kind - Becky
Amazing takes time. - Shannon
Never give up and follow your heart - Shawna
Talk Less, smile more - Marta
The sky's the limit - Jose
Learn to love and like yourself - Vivian
Remember to ripple kindness - Tammy
Never be afraid of losing, nothing belongs to you anyway - Jalisa
Live your lie true to yourself and your values, not the life others expect of you - Bobby
Be curious and ask questions - Daneen
There is a beauty all around us, sometimes we just have to look a little harder - Stephanie
If you can be anything in the world: choose kindness - Terry
You were created for this moment in time so walk in faith and the understanding that it is not your job to judge others but rather to encourage them in love to the greatest extent of your abilities and gifts - Laurie
Take care of the earth so that it can take care of us - DawnLess stuff, more connection, aww and learning experience and stay organized - Kathleen
Love God, love others, learn something everyday, spread kindness and you'll change lives including your own - Kimberly
Every day is every way you are getting better and better - Lorrie
If it were easy they would send the dog with a note - Al
Nothing is free, you have to work for it. - Brian
In a world where you can be anything be kind - JaTorra
Be kind to each other and enjoy your time on this earth - JJJ
FAIL often and completely! Faithful Attempts In Learning - Tom
We make plans and God laughs - Mindy
Try to leave everything better than the way you found it - Samuel
Don't take one day for granted - Juyd
Honor your creative spirit - Donn
Life's a beautiful sport, so train like a champ for a winning performance and make yourself proud - Schuyler
Moderation and curiosity are just some of the secrets to a happy and fulfilling life - Stephanie
You are enough! Eleanor
Climate change is real, take care of the earth and take care of yourself - Lynne
Be kind, appreciate and have fun - Michael
You will never regret being kind - Faith
Hang in there and keep the faith - My Dad
Honesty without kindness is cruelty - Alison
Trust God - Sheryl
Love is home, Home is love - Rozit
Be safe protect your heart and your mind and body - Rochelle
Life goes fast - savor every day - Denise
Don't ignore things that need to be fixed - Kim
Please do better than we did - Chrissy
Embrace change and be kind - CC
Don't sweat the small stuff - Donna
Take time to be in the moment with simple things - Lisa
One day at a time - Gail
Don't rush - Carla
Don't wait for an invitation to your life - Judith
Anything.Is.Possible - Anne
There is hope - Marketta
Always give the hand of love - Marcia
Belief is a seed you plant within yourself - Deborah
Stop war and pollution - Jill
Do you know that thing that you always wanted to do? Just do it. -Sharon
Free Ripples (Giveaway)
Earlier this month, celebrating My Last Bad Day, I gave away free app memberships and our Ripple Love and Ripple Kindness t-shirts. Some missed this opportunity, so I'm opening it back up this weekend through Monday evening, and you can ripple this to anyone you wish.
Grab your Tee Shirt, by clicking T-Shirt
Get a free app membership, by clicking App
Asking for a Ripple:
This Week's Poem:
It is a paradox that we encounter so much internal noise
when we first try to sit in silence.
It is a paradox that experiencing pain releases pain.
It is a paradox that keeping still can lead us
so fully into life and being.
Our minds do not like paradoxes. We want things
To be clear, so we can maintain our illusions of safety.
Certainty breeds tremendous smugness.
We each possess a deeper level of being, however,
which loves paradox. It knows that summer is already
Growing like a seed in the depth of winter. It knows
that the moment we are born, we begin to die. It knows
that all of life shimmers, in shades of becoming–
that shadow and light are always together,
the visible mingled with the invisible.
When we sit in stillness we are profoundly active.
Keeping silent, we hear the roar of existence.
Through our willingness to be the one we are,
We become one with everything.
Gunilla Norris, Paradox of Noise