Believe! I Give You Permission.

"We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit."

E. E. cummings
American Poet, Playwright and Essayist

I think Mr. Cummings might be onto something with this quote. In my own personal experience I found that I didn't really start believing in myself until I surrounded myself with people that believed in me. I don't understand why that is. Where did I lose my ability to believe in myself along the way?

No matter where you are in your life, your career or your own personal journey, let me declare here and now you are valuable, worth listening to and worthy of our trust. Don't let the negativity of life, however it happens or whoever offers it to you, define you. Release yourself from the grips of the people who say you can not and surround yourself with people who say you can.

If it is permission you seek to believe in yourself then consider it granted. You no longer require anything from those who hold you down. Their hold on you is now gone.

Now, what might life look like? What might it mean?

The canvass of your life starts right now! It is blank, just waiting for you to add today's brush stroke, today's color. The masterpiece that you shall paint is your life and the brush you hold is your belief.

Belief in yourself.
Belief in your abilities.
Belief in all that you are destined to accomplish.

I believe in you. Believe in yourself. Experience your life.

If you ever begin to doubt, remember this Ripple. It was begun on this day for you!


Your friend in Ripples and Belief!

Steve

Feisty Male on the Feisty Female Podcast

I was honored to be asked by Sheri Gaynor of Feisty Females to be their first male guest on their monthly Podcast.

Please check out the Podcast by clicking here!

Let me know what you think. I hate to admit I was nervous but honestly it was a lot of pressure. I certainly didn't want to let my feisty male brethren down.

Thanks to Sheri for seeking me out and for the amazing interactions we have had since connecting. This is proof to my readers that some amazing connections can happen virtually. I encourage all of my female readers to check out Sheri's amazing site, her incredible worl and her Feisty Female spirit!

On behalf of my new Feisty Female friends....

Ripple On!!!

Steve

Community Is Where You Create It

Last night I participated in the monthly Austin Business BLOGGERS Club "informal" gathering at a local Mexican food restaurant called Guero's Taco Bar. It was well attended by some really sharp people and after some minor reluctance to attend (after a trying day), I was glad I decided to go. It was exactly what I needed!

As I watched and listened to how and why so many people passionately and diligently write their BLOGS each day, I found myself inspired; inspired in the fact that so many people showed up, openly shared ideas, tips, tricks and had unfiltered, unedited conversation. As I watched people throughout the night, I watched people change. People who had once been strangers were now becoming friends.

It was the beginning of what I hope will become a fun community.

As I drove home last night, I found myself wondering why I don't do more of these kinds of things. Community really is where you create it. Much of the time it can be something as simple as getting a group of BLOGGERS together for an evening of chips and salsa (and the occasional cold beer) or a group of Mom's concerned about their child's local school. Community usually begins and ends with passionate people coming together to share ideas, express opinions and truly connect.

What areas in your life do you have interest in? Whatever it is, guaranteed there is someone, likely many 'someones,' that are out there wanting to share in your passion and in your interests and would be willing to bring the same. Start looking for them, pick a place to meet and let the chips (or salsa) fall will they may. I bet you will be surprised how quickly your community blossoms and grows.

In case you are interested in learning more about our next Austin Business BLOGGERS Club or a list of those who attended last night's meeting, check out Thom Singer's BLOG post today by clicking here.

Ripple On My Friends!

Steve

Ripple Connection Question of the Week

"WHAT BOOKS HAVE
YOU READ RECENTLY?"

I have to admit it.....this is one my favorite connection questions of all time. It reveals a whole lot about a person as to their interests, their guilty pleasures and perhaps a bit of an insight as to whom they are as a person.

In order to use this question effectively, you have to be prepared with a follow up. Something like:

"I have not heard about that book can you tell me more about it?"

"Would you recommend it?"

"How are you using it in your business?" (Obviously we aren't talking about Harlequin Romance novels with this question. Well unless perhaps you are Bill Clinton - just kidding.)

"Oh I read that book too. Would you be interested in comparing notes?"

"If you liked that book might I suggest....."

The types of books one reads provides oodles of connection points and can enhance the relationship you either already have or hope to develop with the person you are talking to. Plus with a little refined question and answer you can understand where the person's interests reside and further add to the relationship value by making additional book suggestions with similar themes or concepts.

Try Rippling yourself to some new connections this week by using this question and let me know how it goes? Plus take a moment to answer the question right here and now! I would love to know what my readers are reading!

Ripple On My Friends!

Steve Harper
www.ripplecentral.com