About Pat

Here is a place where you can come to get a lift for the day, perhaps, a little insight to carry you through onto the next adventure of your life. A place where I’ll share a story, perhaps a thought and some reflections and we’ll meet somewhere in the middle. I like to think of it as a gathering around the kitchen table late at night when everything is still and the world has quieted down to rest. Occupation: Writer, blogger, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and one learning and sharing stories in my life. Location: Bailey, CO Introduction: 2007 Plain Talk and Ordinary Wisdom came out of Wisdom for the Ages, which was born in the corporate world where I gave workshops and facilitated talking-stick discussion groups. When my employer closed their site in 2002 and relocated back East, I took it outside corporate giving presentations as a speaker at Kiwanis, Mile High Sales Professionals, CWEE (Center for Work, Education and Employment) and Business Honoring Spirituality meetings. I also led weekly discussion groups at Morningstar Assisted Living Center. I am passionate about creating a safe environment where people can put aside their differences, share their experiences and wisdom without being right or wrong and benefit from truly listening to one another. It all started with inspiration from a quote from Ram Dass in his book, "Still Here": ….”when there is true surrender and service between people, the roles of helper and helped and the boundaries between those in power and those who are powerless begin to dissolve.”

I See Them Dancing

Moonlight Over Alaska

Moonlight Over Alaska — © MSN Clipart

“I see them dancing somewhere in the moonlight”. Those are the words that sparked an interesting talk with hubby and me the other night. Funny, after over 48 years, how in a moment’s notice love and romance show up and lets you know they’re always there.

That’s what happened to us and it was lovely when we found ourselves dancing in each other’s arms. Continue reading

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Acknowledgements: Moonlight Over Alaska -- © MSN Clipa more...

Fireside Chats ― Kitchen Table Talks Revisited

kitchen table talks

My Kitchen Table Photo © 2015 by Pat Ruppel

I’m happy to say some of you were interested in this adventurous endeavor of mine (see previous post “Fireside Chats and Kitchen Table Talks”). Thank You! I even had a Google+ video chat scheduled. But, it was not to be for now. No doubt to be revisited another time ― another day, for sure.

After a number of attempts, I can see I have much more to learn in how I want to present this to you and it’s not enough to just invite the miraculous. I need to have access to more technology and the internet needs to cooperate (went down that day). So, maybe the universe was telling me something that I didn’t know. Continue reading

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Fireside Chats and Kitchen Table Talks

fireplace

Fireplace Photo (c) 2014 by Pat Ruppel

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Fireside Chat.”

The Daily Post has asked: “What person whom you don’t know very well in real life — it could be a blogger whose writing you enjoy, a friend you just recently made, etc. — would you like to have over for a long chat in which they tell you their life story?”

Best conversations come about in fireside chats or just sitting around the kitchen table. I think it’s when we learn the most from each other, when our hearts open to give our opinions and tell our stories.

How would it feel to clear our agendas for a day and sit down to talk with someone purely with the intention of listening and sharing what’s happening in our lives. Maybe, we need to hear about an experience or exchange different points of view on something. Continue reading

Flickering Awareness

Sun in clouds - Karen Davis Photo

Used with Permission — *Karen Davis Photo at Facebook’s “Open Door Dreaming”

My awareness flickers ― on and off. Have you ever had that happen to you? So many times I catch moments when I feel a special warmth and connection. I try hard to hold onto it but it fades, like how *Oriah describes so well in her poem below. Continue reading

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Acknowledgements: "Wake Up With The Beloved" - Oriah (c more...

There Is Room At The Table For Everyone

Dandelions -- Courtesy of MSN Clipart

Dandelions by Recent Photos The Common Galleries World Map App Garden Camera Finder – Courtesy of MSN Clipart

It’s a new year and I’ve already made my 2015 statement ― “Invite the Miraculous” ― in my last post, “Happy New Year and a Look Back”. Now, I’ve been trying to find the perfect theme on which to start.

I think I’ve got it from listening to these songs by *Carrie Newcomer. Her words and music speak to my heart in the vision I have this year, actually for a while now, on what I long to do ― gather and inspire. No gift is too small ― there is room at the table for everyone.
Continue reading

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