Guest Blogger-Rippler JAG

I met JAG a few months ago and though we have never met in person she has quickly become a good online friend and someone who has become a fantastic supporter of my work. She has offered up several examples of how Ripples have happened in her life; most recently sharing a three act play she wrote about a book being a connection point. I so love her openness and amazing take on this world that I just had to share her with you my fav BLOG readers.

I give you JAG!!!

Funny how Ripples work. I don’t know how you got here, but I found my way while searching for something entirely different. The first post I read was the one where Steve shared the story of his son Josh making snow angels. As a veteran snow angel-er myself, I could relate to the joy that comes with such a simple activity! And, although I usually have the benefit of much more snow, I loved the way his example was connected to a broader life lesson. So I bookmarked the site… and have been a regular reader ever since.

I’m JAG and I live in Ottawa, one of many Canadians who seem to have fallen under the Ripple spell. Just so you know, I have the TV on in the background as I’m writing this. It’s muted, because I can’t handle the stress of watching my home team, the Ottawa Senators, in the Stanley Cup finals. I can’t watch… but I can’t NOT watch. So I figure glancing from time to time without fully listening is a noble compromise. I know… I’m a hockey wimp! (And yes, I still call myself a Canadian… J)

So, what’s the appeal of the Ripple anyway? I don’t have my own business. I’ve never written a book. I’ve always disliked “networking” and avoid it as much as possible. But in the past few years, I’ve become a fan of connecting. I finally accepted that I have little interest in small talk and stopped trying to fake it. I prefer to try to connect at a more genuine level. This makes some people uncomfortable, although that is not my intent. For those who are willing to take the risk along with me, it has lead to fascinating conversations and discoveries! Here are three of my favourite questions for connecting (or Rippling, as Steve would say!):

• So, what do you love/enjoy most about your job? (This works well at work-related functions…)
• Interesting… Can you tell me more about that? (In response to just about anything!)
• What do you do for fun? (The first time I was asked this at a party, I was floored. I thought it was brilliant!)

I guess it’s no surprise that I’ve hooked onto the principles of the Ripple. I really appreciate that they’ve opened my mind to the different ways of connecting – it doesn’t always have to be in the context of a conversation. I connect/Ripple through my actions and, I believe, through my very thoughts (since they shape my actions). It’s been lovely chatting – I’ll sign off with a story about a woman and the Ripple…

The Ripple: A Play in Two Short Acts

ACT ONE – takes place before the Ripple enters JAG’s life…

• JAG is at a book swap.
• She spots a book on the Life of Dolphins.
• She remembers how Kaye, the instructor from that last course she took, LOVED dolphins and had adopted them as her personal & professional symbol.
• She remembers Kaye with fondness, and smiles.
• She moves on to the next book on the table.

ACT TWO – takes place with JAG under the influence… of the Ripple

• JAG is at a book swap.
• She spots a book on the Life of Dolphins.
• She remembers how Kaye, the instructor from that last course she took, LOVED dolphins and had adopted them as her personal & professional symbol.
• She remembers Kaye with fondness, and smiles.
• She places the book in her canvas bag.

Later that week…

• JAG finds Kaye’s mailing address on the Internet (somewhere in Maryland, USA).
• She writes a little note on her business card and tucks it onto the book’s cover.
• She pops the book into the mail.

The End.

(Or is it? We are talking Ripples, after all… J)

PAX
(which means peace!)

Thanks JAG for such a great post. More importantly....thanks for being such a great new friend!
Please check out JAG's BLOG by clicking here!

Ripple On!!!


S

Great Supporting Quote For Me

As many of you know I have a mantra that I live my life by:

"The most self serving thing one can do is live their life selflessly. Selflessly give of your time. Selflessly give of your knowledge. Selflessly give of your connections. Selflessly give that which you have to give."

I truly believe that my life and my success is a direct reflection of living my life this way. I have so much abundance in my life because I actively give of myself with no expectation of repayment. I believe life has a funny way of keeping its own score and rewarding good intentions in its own unique way.

I am reading a book my Dr. Wayne W. Dyer right now called The Power of Intention (there's a suggestion for your summer reading table per my Monday BLOG post). There is a quote he mentions at the start of chapter five by one of my favorite inspirational writers which sums up why selfless living has created so many Ripples for me...and it can for you as well.

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself...Serve and thou shall be served."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mr. Emerson got it way back in the eighteen hundreds. It worked back then and it works now.

So who can you selflessly serve today?

Ripple On!!!

Steve

Summer Reading & Listening Challenge

Did you know the books we read and the music we listen to are one of the ultimate connection points? Think about it, what we are reading and what we are listening to really tells quite an interesting story about ourselves. It offers those people who want to get to know us better endless opportunities to bridge deeper more meaningful conversation. Of course it works in reverse too! I just wasn't going to harp (no Harper pun intended) on how you can leverage that to help you build your connections. I don't need to remind you about that now do it! Hee Hee!!!

Anyway....let's have some fun with this and get this summer party started correctly. I want to know what's on your summer table of reading and just what kind of jamming tunes we might find you downloading to your IPOD as the temperature rises. Leave a comment as to what we might find you reading on the boat at the lake, at the beach this summer or in that special place you go to when you just need to settle down with a good book. And of course...tell us what kind of great music we might find you listening to as well!

Leave a comment here and if you want to really elaborate and get some good conversation going join our Yahoo Group by clicking here. Talk about helping people get to know you and know you quicker! Connection points baby!!!

Can't wait to be inspired by my readers and perhaps you might forward this challenge on to some of your friends and colleagues and we can learn what has them toes a tapping and their minds engaged! I suspect that all of you will give me plenty of amazing choices of literary works and musical melodies to fill my summer of love!

Speaking of Summer...just had to play one of my all-time favorites! Hope this gets you in the mood to start enjoying your Summer!!!



Ripple On!!!

S

Dream Big

I had the pleasure of spending some time last night with an old friend of mine from Albuquerque. Mike and I go way back having worked together nearly 18 years ago and have remained good friends ever since. It was so fun to catch up and to see this man and meet his new girlfriend. He is very happy after what I know has been a difficult couple of years personally and professionally.

It warmed my heart to see my good friend. It was incredibly cool to get a little ribbing about what Mike saw as an ambitious and "sometimes cocky" kid way back yonder who knew, even back then, who wanted more out of life. Eighteen years seems like just yesterday and the "war stories" being batted back and forth really made me appreciate all that has happened in my life since.

Mike is like a brother to me in a lot of ways. He has always been there in terms of advice and positive reinforcement but more importantly, as a fan. A fan of my intention. A fan of my gumption. A fan of the spirit that makes Steve Harper....Steve Harper.

As we chatted back and forth Mike said something that stuck with me until this morning. Another friend of mine asked Mike how he knew me back in the day and with a little impish grin and a hand on my shoulder he said "Stevo always dreamed big."

I do remember the fire that ignited way back in college about wanting to do important things in this world. I always wanted to make my own unique mark. I guess I have always dreamed big but it was humbling to actually hear someone else say it; to have someone from my past who recognized it. I suspect that to do anything spectacular in your life, you like me, need to dream big and never be afraid to reach for that which you want to make possible.

To Mike and all of you who believe in me and keep constantly reminding me in your own little way that my biggest dreams are yet to be fulfilled....THANK YOU!!!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper