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    “We are all capable of contributing to the world in a way that makes a profound difference.  A rare few go big.  Make the big gesture.  Take the big risk.  Expose themselves on a grand scale.  Create and then ride the big wave.  But most of us, myself included, take a different yet equally valid path.  It’s the path of the ripple.  Simple actions, moments, and experiences.  Created, offered, and delivered with such a purity of intention and depth of integrity and clarity that they set in motion a ripple that, quietly, in its own way, in its own time, expands outward.  Interacting with, touching, mattering to people we’ve never met in ways we never conceived.” ~ Jonathan Fields, How To Live A Good Life

      “When we think about giving, we often think about grand gestures, setting aside hours or days to volunteer, mentor, or contribute to some person or group we want to see rise.  Or we think about specific charities, foundations, and organizations to donate to.  But giving even on the smallest level has power.  So often, we miss the momentary opportunities to contribute, the countless moments to be generous, to help, to be of service in the moment, for a moment.” ~ Jonathan Fields, How To Live A Good Life

        “If the only reason you help is so that you can tell people that you help, I don’t need your help.” ~ Iain Thomas, I Wrote This For You

          “It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act.” ~ Dalai Lama

            “If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” ~ Jack Kornfield

              “[My wife] likes to think of money as a big magnifying glass.  If you are a good person before you had money… then money makes you an even better person.  If you were a charitable person before you had money… then money makes you even more charitable.  But if you were an asshole before you had money… well then, money makes you an even bigger asshole.” ~ Jesse Itzler, Living with a SEAL

                “The main way you generate bodily tension is by turning your attention back on yourself in self-concern, curling into yourself so tightly you feel all knotted up.  Therefore, the main cure is to give yourself to others.  Whenever you notice that you are mulling over your own problems, knotting energy into your body as tension, take that energy and create a gift for others.  It could be as simple as doing the dishes in the sink, or as complex as building a business that will benefit others.  Convert into service the energy that is knotting up the front of your body.  Your tension is only the energy of a gift that has become backed up, unexpressed, in your body.” ~ David Deida, The Way of the Superior Man

                  “It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time disturb one’s spiritual balance. Therefore, children must early learn the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness of giving.” ~ Ohiyesa, American Indian

                    “Don’t be ashamed to need help. Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you’ve been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? So what?” ~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

                      “The smallest acts of kindness has the power to change someone’s life. Whether it’s from holding a door for someone, or paying for their coffee, or giving them a genuine smile, or giving random strangers high fives while you’re running, it could dramatically change their entire day in an instant and light up their world. Show other people that you’re human, that we’re not robots. We’re human beings born out of love, with a lot more to give. Even when people are being difficult, that’s when you should be the most kind to them. Kill them with kindness.” ~ Satori, infinitesatori.org

                        “If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” ~ Arabic Proverb

                          “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” ~ Oscar Wilde

                            “When you share love grows, happiness doubles, and sorrow is halved. A life shared is twice as good with half the troubles. A dessert shared tastes twice as nice with half the calories. When you share, you end up with more of what counts and give it to someone else.” ~ Nancy Plum

                              “So often, either consciously or unconsciously, we want something from others, especially when we have done something for them – It’s almost as though we keep score of our own good deeds rather than remembering that giving is its own reward.” ~ Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

                                “If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.” ~ Dalai Lama

                                  “Each of us can look back upon someone who made a great difference in our lives, someone whose wisdom or simple acts of caring made an impression upon us. In all likelihood it was someone who sought no recognition for their deed other than the joy of knowing that, by their hand, another’s life had been made better.” ~ Stephen M. Wolf

                                    “Have faith in yourself. But have faith in your friends and neighbors, too. I know life is competitive- but it isn’t a jungle. Like begets like. Faith inspires faith. People give back substantially what we give them.“ ~ Bethany College

                                      “When you learn, teach, when you get, give.” ~ Maya Angelou