Ripples

I read my weekly Ripples this morning, and wanted to share it here. They are almost always illuminating and helpful, so while I shared the link in my favorite sites list (right margin of this blog,) I rarely repost the actual words. Today, I'm sharing the whole shebang, because I need to hear it again and be reminded again, and here is where I share the things that speak to me. Sometimes something I share may speak to someone who reads here as well.

This one is right along the theme of things that have been speaking to me and which I've been sharing for awhile. When I look back at the words to the song "The Climb", which I shared awhile back, I can tell I'm still sorting through and dealing with these similar issues. Perhaps one of the things I need to grasp hold of is there will always be a mountain to climb, or move, rocks and boulders in the way, and that these are the very things which form character and help us to grow. I may joke and tease that I'd rather not grow so much, but in the end, it's all good. I know I will get through whatever event I'm dealing with, and will do more than survive, I will thrive.

I hope you enjoy this week's Ripple:

PEBBLE
The bubbling brook would lose its song
if you removed the rocks.
-source unknown

BOULDER
Adversity is like a strong wind.
It tears away from us all but
the things that cannot be torn,
so that we see ourselves
as we really are.
-Arthur Golden

PONDER
Life is not always easy, eh?

I have heard from several fellow Ripplers lately who are experiencing BIG challenges in their lives: loss of loved ones, major disruptions in work/school/life, and dealing with other "stuff" that makes life rocky. It is heartbreaking to hear how difficult life can be for each of us at times.

As I look over my responses to them, I notice a common phrase that I have used in various forms. While I try to avoid using absolutes like "always" and "never," I stand by these: Life is not always easy, convenient, pretty, or fair; life, however is ALWAYS is worth it. The hard stuff makes us stronger the same way the heavier weights are what make the difference in strength training (many of you have heard me say that I'd do more weight lifting if they weren't so darn heavy--but of course if they were light they wouldn't help me strengthen my muscles!).

Believe me, I have days where I wish all the "rocks" in the bubbling brook of my life could be magically removed. Luckily I have the good sense to remember that so much of my character, my personal strength, and my capacity to help others has grown from dealing with the difficult stuff.

I'm truly sorry if life is extra tough for you right now; I hope you seek good people to support you, calming music to soothe you, and an occasional Dairy Queen treat every now and then is pretty darn awesome too.

Peace,
Paul

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