If you need help...

please talk to someone.  Life circumstances can sometimes be crushing.  You go to this very dark place and it seems as if you are stuck in this deep spiral  that is unending. I have been there more than once. You just become numb and nothing matters.  The only way out is to talk to someone, anyone.  If you don't have people you trust , call a hot line.  I know that making even that effort is sometimes more than you think you can do because you are so overwhelmed.  Do it!  Watch out for different behavior in your loved ones.  If their behavior changes, talk to them and watch them carefully.  I know every life cannot be saved, but as long as there is even one saved, it's worth it!  Make a ripple, pay attention, see what happens.

No one could EVER

fill his shoes.  Yesterday, a wonderful genius died.  It was Robin Williams.  He was the ultimate actor with a range unfathomable.  He was a mesmerizing comic and a humanitarian.  If, by some way, you are unfamiliar with his work, get on the internet and look up some of his movies.  There is something there for everyone.  I am deeply saddened at his passing, but so incredibly grateful for his being here. He truly made a ripple we can, and will, feel forever. 

No plan

leads no where.  I have a dear friend who always wanted to be an Art Therapist.  It is all she thought about and all she wanted.  Then came life.  She did not get to fulfill her dream.  It left a mark on her.  Later, she did realize some other things that she came to want, but it wasn't the same.  My point here is figure out what your heart desires and make it happen.  I am happy to report that some years later, she has found something she is passionate about.  But there were a lot of years of drifting without a plan.  She tells me she wishes she had been more persistent.  So when you find your passion, go after it with all you have. Your life will be better for your effort.  Make a ripple, make a plan, see what happens.

Sweet Lou

I am a hands down complete fan of baseball.  I love the game and all the nuances of it.  I get attached to the players, and managers and give them all nick names.  My favorite team is the Seattle Mariners.  Yes, I admit it!  I have slogged through many seasons with them dragging their sorry @##&*.  Of course, my favorite years were the ones when Lou Piniella managed the team. He was a wonderful manager, but also a great teacher and his wild and crazy personality was so outstanding. He always had his players backs! What a lot of people do not know was that he was drafted  as a player at 18, and had a lifetime batting average of .291!  He is now 70 and retired.  There was a celebration of him as he entered the MARINERS Hall of Fame yesterday.  What a guy!  He is still going strong.  He is busy and happy and I even saw a tear in his eye, through my own, yesterday at the ceremony.  He was never known for his tenderness.  But I will always remember him for his undaunted passion.  I would love to think we could take a page from his book and carry that passion with us throughout our lives.  Make a ripple, live your passion, see what happens! .

A mind is a .....

wonderful thing to change.  It is easy to get caught up in the same old thing.  It is even easier to hold on to something that no longer serves us, because change is often painful.  But what if we thought about it a little less, and took it less personally.  Changing our minds could be a lot easier if we would just try it and see what happens.  Many times, just that happening changes a situation so much for the better.  Make a ripple, be open to change, see what happens.

One thing at a time

I don't know about you, but I have the habit of trying to do to many things at once.  What I usually end up with are several things done 1/2 way and being just a little frustrated.  Did you know that the mind can only hold on to 7 to 10 things at a time?  That seems like a lot, I know, but if you are a mom, that is nothing.  When the 8th to 11th thing shows up, everything falls off and we think we are getting dementia.  Our minds can do just so much.  So, I have decided to try and do one thing at a time, and do a decent job of it so I can go to the next thing and do the same.  Just a thought in this crazy mixed up "whirld."  (My word)  Make a ripple, one thing at a time, see what happens.

More great humans!

A week or so ago, I booked a flight for a friend to go on vacation.  You may have had the experience of writing down flight numbers, confirmation numbers and all the other information.  A person can't get anywhere without all this information.  I wrote "SAVE" on the paper and promptly threw it away.  WHAT?  Not on purpose.  I contacted the airline, and felt like 2 cents waiting for change.  Fortunately, Anita A, and Mel #21 came to my rescue.  I hope Southwest Airlines knows what wonderful and valuable employees they have.  They were both considerate and patient as they listened to my story of woe.  Things got handled.  They are making a ripple.  Who can we be considerate and patient with today?  Lets try it, and see what happens.