Earth Day: A New Eco-Year
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I was reminded today that Earth Day is coming up. According to Wikipedia, this day is “intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.” Earth Day is one of my favorite days of the year. I like to think of it as another new year—an eco-year—a time to make resolutions for the new year ahead on what I can do for the Earth instead of myself.
“Oh man, another list,” you say? Well, I like the moderation rule for everything, so just like your new year’s resolution list, let’s start small.
There’s always the main three on my list that I use as guides: reduce, reuse, recycle. I’m an avid recycler and am always reducing somehow. But for the reusing rule, I have to practice a little more. So to satisfy that one, on my next grocery shop I’m going to purchase some reusable grocery bags. It’s surprising I haven’t yet jumped on that one, but there is definitely no time like the present.
There’s nothing saying that you can’t just appreciate the Earth for all its splendor and beauty by taking a walk on a forested trail or even planting a tree, so get creative with your list. Think earthy! Just remember with any resolution or to-do list: start small, go easy on yourself, and always recognize what you’ve accomplished.
Have fun!
~Amanda~
The Laughs of Life
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There are many times where you’ll find yourself in embarrassing situations. Like when you’re walking along and you happen to trip on that crack in the sidewalk. Or when you go to speak, and you fumble your sentences into a blathering mess. How about when you have food stuck in your teeth and don’t realize it until you check yourself in the mirror, hours later? Maybe that’s just me, but these little embarrassments happen too many times.
When I was younger and these occurrences happened, I used to get very red in the face and tell myself I’d never do it again. (Ah, to be young!) Little did I realize these little blips are human and should be laughed at instead of shamed upon.
Now that I’m older, I tend to really enjoy it when these things happen, mainly because I can now find great humor in them. It puts a little sparkle into my day. If anything, it definitely gives me a good story to tell people.
Life was meant for laughs and fun, so take a moment and laugh at something silly you did today. Even if it feels weird … laugh, share, and be silly.
~Amanda~
Acts of Kindness
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Throughout my day-to-day activities, I find it interesting to people-watch when I get a few moments. I watch strangers interact with one another, and sometimes I have the pleasure of witnessing acts of kindness. Occasionally, I actually get to be a part of those acts and it really brings an ever-lasting smile to my face when I’ve helped someone out in some small way.
When you act in kindness or do a good deed, it really makes you feel like you’ve made a new friend or at least made someone’s day. It can be any number of things that don’t have to be heroic to be appreciated.
I recently went into a shoemaker to have a few holes punched into my belt when I realized I didn’t have enough change to cover the $2 bill. Just as I went to grab my debit card (and feel fully embarrassed for using it for such a small amount), a nice man (awaiting his shoes) kindly paid the difference of my bill. It was only a few cents, but it really made feel special for that brief moment to know someone was paying attention to my very minor dilemma and consciously decided to help out.
These moments, I believe, are the fruits of life. I would love to hear a story of yours, where you gave or received an act of kindness. They’re great inspiration to others for a more generous future. You can submit your story at http://creatinggoodkarma.com.
~Amanda~
Take a Break from Technology
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Living in a world of technology, it can be hard to break free from it. Everywhere you turn there’s always someone chatting on a cell phone, typing an email on a BlackBerry, or playing a game on a handheld game device.
Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but it makes me curious why some can’t or don’t want to get away from it all whenever they can. Has our world become so obsessed and dependent on technology that we can’t live without it?
Thinking back to a time where we didn’t have as much technology (or none at all), we seemed to do just fine and were maybe less stressed. Nowadays, life seems to fly by at light-speed and that pesky to-do list seems to pile higher, faster. It’s essential to take some time to breathe – even if it means taking a half hour, finding some peace and getting away from it all. Turn off that cell phone, wait to check that email, and walk away from the computer. Technology (and that pesky to-do list) can wait.
~Amanda~
Embrace the Journey
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Often, when things become challenging in life (and even at times when things become too easy), we question ourselves with the whats, the wheres, the whens, and the hows. This can be stressing if these questions need answers right away, but little do we realize that without those things to question and to work through, there wouldn’t be much of a life to live and not much character in your personality.
I’ve had to remind myself of this when I’m in search of something I’m in need of or when I question my purpose in this life. I have to embrace the journey rather than the wish to end up at my destination “right now”. Although, I must admit, it’s tempting to wish you could just snap and have it all right now. Let’s face it; I got lots to do in this lifetime and not much time to do it all. But then again, there’s always a sense of great accomplishment when you do work through those questions to find the answers.
We may not like it sometimes but I believe that in life, there is no such thing as failure, there is no such thing as wrong, and fortunately (and I do mean fortunately) no such thing as fast forward. So with that in mind, go forth and enjoy your life’s journey; big, small, rich, poor, success, failure. It’s what the journey is all about.
~Amanda~
Everyday Heroes
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Heroism is an important ingredient in the recipe of life, for bringing greater purpose and lifelong fulfillment. We often read about and/or even witness acts of heroism in our lifetime, but there are so many heroes in this world, it’s a shame we can’t make them all known. Could you imagine one hourly newscast that was strictly about the stories of heroes rather than the grim news we hear about everyday? What an uplifting (and inspiring) message that would bring to the world.
But being heroic doesn’t mean you have to be strong, knowledgable, or famous; it’s about making a difference while you’re here on this Earth. Even if it means making a difference in your own life, in your children’s lives, in your friends’ lives. Whether you’re running into a burning building, conducting heart surgery, helping a child read, or being a shoulder to cry on, these are all acts of a hero.
So today and forever, I want to thank all heros (big and small) for making a difference in our world.
~Amanda~
All in Moderation, All in Good Time
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In order to live a healthy life, we have always been told to eat right, drink 8 glasses of water a day, and exercise. Honestly I do believe it’s that simple to keep our physical selves healthy, but what about our spirit and emotional selves? For those two things, I would like to add two simple rules: moderation and patience.
When one takes on a diet, a new way of life, or a new way of thinking, it can be tough to instantly break free from old habits. Could you imagine as a toddler going from crawling to running in a day? By doing things in moderation and having a little patience, you’ll eventually get to your destination.
Yoga was a routine I started a couple of years ago. I expected after the first few weeks, I’d be pro. Well, I gotta say, having that expectation really discouraged me after the fourth week. This is where I needed to learn patience. It would take a little longer than a month or two to become a pro at it, so by taking my time, and learning in small steps, I eventually got to a point where I was happy with my progress.
In the past I’ve also tried many detoxifying programs and most were too harsh for my system. My body didn’t know what was happening so of course I “fell off the wagon” and went back to my old ways within a few days. Trying once more, I thought I wouldn’t follow any rules but just tried to cut back on a few things my body doesn’t need, like sugar, caffeine, etc. So far I’m finding that the moderation part of it is working really well. Hopefully I’m patient enough to really see the results. Of course I indulge a little…but…all in moderation.
~Amanda~
Life is for the Young at Heart
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I look around at children and observe them as they live, learn, and explore. I find it amazing that when they fall down, they cry for a few seconds, get back up, and minutes later, seem to forget their fall ever happened. Sometimes I think they’re more resilient than some adults… even me!
As an adult I appreciate this innocence; I sometimes wish I could forget some of the “falls” I’ve taken in life and get brave enough to try them again. Maybe the trick is to not forget the “fall” ever happened, but to keep going and try it again. But next time, try to do it without falling.
I think this is where most adults fail; we don’t always try something again if it hurt us the first time. Like love, or being turned down for a job. Some of us just give up all together and are perfectly happy being defeated. But that’s not what life is about. Life should always be about finding new ways of thinking, new ways of doing so that we don’t fall, in order to live a fulfilling and successful life.
~Amanda~
You’re Not the Only One in This World
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On my commute to and from work, I’ve seen new ads popping up in the transit system that target inconsiderate/obnoxious people. You know the ones who act like they are the only one on the train or bus? You hear every word of their phone conversation or get whacked in the head with their backpack. Not a very pleasant way to start or end your day, to say the least.
I always try to be aware of my surroundings and respect other people’s space, but some haven’t grasped that concept. There’s nothing we can do to really change that, and they may never become “conscious” of how or who they affect in their day-to-day life. But if advertising campaigns are surfacing about their behavior, it’s an encouraging thought that they’ll catch on so we can all enjoy at least a refreshing moment of peace every day.
~Amanda~
Resolving Resolutions
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New Year’s resolutions were never big with me. I’ve tried sticking to them but always end up falling off the wagon by mid-February. I then looked at my list and realized they were pretty huge resolutions I was trying to achieve. No one needs that kind of pressure.
So I started breaking down the larger items into many small ones. Let’s say you (or I) wanted to lose 10 pounds. Instead of burdening yourself with losing those 10 pounds, start with eating healthier or cutting out the junk food. Let’s say you (or I) wanted to redecorate your (or my) home. Start with painting some new colors on the walls.
Starting smaller will make you feel more accomplished after the year is done and motivate you to stick with it. As it’s been said, Rome wasn’t built in a day – but I’m sure if they pressured themselves to do it that way, it would have never gotten done. So make your first resolution to go easy on yourself and be proud of the little accomplishments. They’ll eventually add up to one big resolution being crossed off your list.
~Amanda~
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