After 3 years without watching a news broadcast or reading a newspaper, I happened to glance down at my dad's paper on the kitchen bench this morning, and curiosity got the better of me.
I didn't even finish reading the first paragraph of the first page before I walked away in disgust.
It was all about war.
I went away feeling helpless and angry, until I remembered that we need to be the change we want to see in the world! Let's focus on what we CAN do.
We are not victims. We always have a choice. And
for every action, no matter how small, there is a re-action.
1.) Believe that you can. The biggest mistake is to do nothing, because you thought you could only do a little.
Even
if, in your entire life, you only impact one other person in a positive
way, isn't that something worth celebrating?
That one person might be the
first member of a family to break free from generations of poverty and
violence. That one person might become the next Nelson Mandela or Mother Teresa. That one
person may be setting an example to her own young children.
Don't
ever underestimate the power of your actions. One small gesture can
change another person's life - for better or for worse. And many people
doing small acts with great love can, and will, change the landscape of a
society.
2. Buy Organic: As much as you can possibly afford. Research tells us that people in industrialised countries consume 6 - 7 kilograms of chemical food additives every year. So by the time our children turn 10, they've already consumed more than their own body weight in chemical food additives.
But
if you are anything like me, you set off to the market with the best of
intentions, only to discover that your weekly grocery budget is
only enough to cover one day's worth of organic produce,
and....well....intentions go by the wayside.
So,
what's a savvy shopper to do?! The answer: you do the best you can. I
have found that things like flours, breads, rices, and grains are
easiest to go organic, because they are roughly double (give or take)
what the usual price is. But meats and fruits and vegetables can be as
much as 3 or 4 times the usual price.
Alternatively, you could focus on buying those foods that are more easily affected by chemicals - also known as the Dirty Dozen Foods.
Every time you choose organic over conventional, you are encouraging more farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices.
The other alternative is to grow more of your own food...Which leads me to...
3. Produce as much food for yourself.
Not only is it healthy, and you reduce transport and chemicals by
reducing your dependance on commercially grown produce. But there is
nothing more satisfying, then picking something out of the garden, and
eating it fresh.
Even
if you are a high-rise city dweller, a small balcony is enough space to
grow all your own herbs, and salad greens. Yes, really! And they are
super easy to look after. In my experience, the easiest plants to grow for complete bumbling newbies or those who have a "brown thumb", are:
potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, rosemary, parsley, chives, mint,
strawberries, aloe vera, and silverbeet. These plants are just about
impossible to kill, if you plant them in the right season.
I
have been growing summer vegetables for 7 years now, and never had to use a commercially-produced spray or fertilizer. To kill off
pests, make up a mix of water, finely minced chilli, and finely minced
garlic, and pour into a spray bottle. I spray this on the plants every
couple of weeks over Summer, and have not had a problem with pests yet.
For
a fertilizer, there are a couple of things I use: banana peels. You can
leave them on the ground, and they leach into the soil as they rot, or
you can leave them in a bucket of water for a number of days, until it
is like a "tea" and pour it onto your plants.
Seaweed:
Collected from the beach. Carefully rinse off the salt, then put in a
covered bucket of water for a week, or until it has started to break
down. Throw the remains into your compost, and use the water on your
plants.
Crushed eggshells thrown on the garden. I also use the water left after steaming vegetables, on my pot-plants.
4. Let your light shine. Can kindness change the world? Absolutely!! Every act, has a ripple effect, just like a stone landing on a lake.
Do
something for others without expecting anything in return, or without
seeking acknowledgement.
It's
easy to be "kind" when everyone is watching. Real kindness happens when
nobody is watching. When we get no thanks, but we do it anyway.
Go
out of your way, and do one small act of kindness every day. It doesn't
have to be big and impressive. Take your neighbors bin out. Let
someone in when driving in traffic. Stand up and let a tired mum have your seat on the train.
I
guarantee that there is no quicker fix for feeling down, or lonely, or
worthless, than helping someone else.
5. Vote with your wallet. Many of us are scathing when we talk about
large corporations razing rainforests, polluting the air, and poisoning
the rivers....yet, we continue to buy their products. I think many
companies play on the fact that the vast majority of consumers are
time-poor and don't have time to research which companies are ethical,
and which are not.
If you don't like how a certain company conducts their business, don't support them. Write to
those companies to tell them WHY you are boycotting their products. If a
company gets enough of these letters, I guarantee they will sit up and
take notice. After all, they have to explain lost profits to their
shareholders.
It's
simple supply and demand. If we all stopped buying glossy magazines
that glorify skinny celebrities tomorrow, do you think they would
continue to produce them? Of course not.
Consumers
have incredible power to effect change, but most of us don't take
advantage of it. Companies rely on us for their very existence. Without
the customer there is no business! Every dollar you spend is like a vote for that company and that product.
We
need to stop unconsciously reaching for the product on the shelf, with
the prettiest packaging and the most impressive claims on the front, and really think about what we are buying,
and the message we are sending to companies.
6. Invest wisely. This is similar to the above point.
For
anyone who invests in shares, choose them wisely. Do you
really want your hard-earned money to be used for exploiting third world
countries in the name of profit, or using sweat-shop labourers in the
name of cost-cutting? There are now organisations, like Ethical Investor who will do the homework for you.
7. Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
I know this saying is starting to sound like a cliche, but I want you
to really think about it for a minute. Most people think of
landfill, when they hear "Reduce, Re-use, Recycle", but the philosophy
is MUCH more than just landfill. (And landfill is serious enough as it
is: The average Aussie family throws out 1.14 tonnes of rubbish every
year.)
Think
about it this way: For every piece of packaging, tin can, bottle, box,
not to mention the item inside the packaging....a natural resource has
been used up, chemicals have been used in the production (which
eventually leaches into the soil, and then our waterways), coal-fired
power was used to manufacture it, air pollution has been created, and
then before it can reach your local shop, there's fuel (and therefore,
oil) to get it there.
How much pollution and waste has been caused by that one product that you didn't really need, anyway?
-
One of the quickest and easiest ways to reduce rubbish, is to compost
food scraps. You don't need an expensive compost bin, just a sunny
corner of the garden. Aerate it regularly, and when it has broken down,
spread it over your garden and pot plants. It also means you have less
need of fertiliser.
-
Why pay $5.95 for a birthday card, when you can use your kids artworks
and turn them into a card that is also a keepsake? Large drawings or
paintings can be used as wrapping paper. You save money at the same
time.
-
Look for different uses for things, before throwing them out. There are
plenty of tutorials on the internet, showing how to make utensil containers out of empty baby
formula tins and all kinds of creative re-purposing.
-
If you are thinking about buying an appliance that you won't use very
often, such as a laminator, or a dehydrator or whipper-snipper, think
about going halves with a neighbour, or a friend that lives nearby. Not
only does it cost less, but you consume less, and that means less
clutter all round.
-
Realise that more stuff doesn't make you happy. Keeping up appearances
doesn't make you happy. Impressing other people doesn't make you
happy....Okay, you might have felt a smug satisfaction for 5 minutes,
but then you're left with....more stuff, and probably more credit card
debt.
-
Use cloth instead of disposable. Cloth dishcloths instead of
chux/disposable cloths, cloth napkins instead of paper napkins,
handkerchiefs instead of tissues, cloth nappies instead of disposable,
cloth baby wipes instead of chemical-filled disposable ones, cloth
sanitary pads instead of disposable, diva cup instead of disposable
tampons. Not only do you drastically cut down on waste, but you save a
bucketload of money, too. (And no, it does not create mountains of
washing. One extra load per week, at the most.)
-
Reduce your reliance on energy-guzzling appliances. Turn the heater
down, and wear warmer clothes. Open windows on opposite sides of the
house for cross-ventilation, instead of turning on the air-conditioner.
Hang the clothes outside instead of using the dryer (not only do they
use water and energy, they emit massive amounts of positive ions, which
deplete energy. Stand beside a dryer for a while, and you'll start to
feel fatigued and depressed.)
8. Invest in the next generation.
With everybody getting busier and busier, and families becoming more
fragmented, our children need mentors and positive role models more than
ever. I'm not talking about simply parents and grandparents, I'm
talking about everyone.
All of us.
It really does take a village to raise a child.
Help
out at the local school by reading to the kids, or sharing a skill.
Offer the kid-next-door some pocket money to help you out in the garden,
and while you're at it, teach him everything you know about gardening,
and take an interest in his life. Not only is he learning a life skill,
but you are letting him know that he matters.
When my eldest son was small he was a complete super-hero buff. His idea of bliss was to spend a whole day watching Cartoon Network. My dad, on the other
hand, doesn't even own a TV, and didn't have the foggiest clue who Ben
10 or Hulk was....yet my son still adores his Grandpa more than any super-hero on TV.
You know why?
Because his grandpa gives him time and attention. It's really that simple. He goes outside and kicks the football around with him, or races him to the shed. Little things matter to little kids...
I
believe that when you take away the ipods, and Nintendo's, and
"coolness", todays children are just the same as the yesterdays children. They want to know they matter. And that they belong
somewhere.
For
parents, it means modelling the behaviour that we wish to see in our
children. Too often we are lecturing our kids about manners, while
cutting someone else off in traffic. Or complaining that they never
listen, while we are talking over the top of them. (Oh wait, maybe
that's just me? My son pointed this out to me one day, and I was ashamed to admit he was right..)
Invest in the little people. They are the future of our world.
9. Lend your passion to a good cause. Is there an issue that really fires you up? Some injustice that breaks your heart?
Most
of us never go any further than having a rant or a whinge about the
world. Use your passion to make a difference. Be the change you want to
see in the world!
There
are SO many groups and organizations out there, for just about every
issue you can imagine. Here's a few to get you started.
- Toogoolawah School for Boys
takes at-risk boys and aims to educate and mentor them, with an
emphasis, not so much on academic achievement, but on building good
character. Founded by property investor, John L.Fitzgerald.
-Kiva
is an organization where you can lend money, as little as $25, to help
an entrepreneur in the developing world, to start their own business.
When they start making some money, they pay you back, and you can then
choose to help someone else.
- Kids Free to Be Kids
are a group that fights against the sexualization of children in the
media and the fashion industry, and restrict the kind of advertising
that children are exposed to.
- Yasminah's Gift of Hope
is a support network for those who have been affected by premature
birth, stillbirth or neonatal death. It was started by a mother whose
baby girl, Yasminah, was stillborn in 2009.
But
you get the picture!! Whatever floats your boat! Whatever tickles your
fancy! The world needs more people who actually care enough to do something about it.
10.) Celebrate wisdom and experience.
Our society is obsessed with youth and beauty. The magazines are
covered with skinny starlets who are famous for being, well....famous.
The idealism and energy of youth are important, yes, but so are the
wisdom and experience of our elders.
-
Boycott so-called "anti-wrinkle" creams. Not only are they expensive, it's highly doubtful whether they make a speck of difference. You
would be better off spending that money on antioxidant fruits like
strawberries and blueberries. What you put IN, will always matter
more than what you put ON.
And
besides, if you reach a ripe old age without a wrinkle or two, then you've
either been injecting poison into your face (Botox is short for botulinim toxin, you know?) or you've never learnt how to
smile. Be wrinkly and happy, not flawless and miserable!
-
Same goes with hair dyes. Hair dyes are absolute
poison. Yet we put them onto our scalp where the blood vessels are
close to the skin surface, and our skin literally "drinks" it in. We shouldn't have to feel that we need to cover up our natural color,
in order to be successful in our careers or personal lives. Some of
the most beautiful and inspiring women I know, have gorgeous, natural
gray hair.
-
Be proud of a live well lived. Be
kind to yourself. True beauty lives in the spirit of a person, and the
outward changes that come with the years, can never take that away.
-
Celebrate our elders. Too often, they feel invisible and worthless. The
irony here, is that in today's world, we have families who are stressed
and pressed for time, and would give their right arm for some extra
support. While on the other hand, we have older people sitting at home,
feeling lonely, and just aching to feel like they are still useful to
someone. Silly, isn't it?!
Every
time we speak negatively about aging, or try to hide our age, we are
perpetuating the myth that old age is to be avoided at all costs. Old
age has become a negative concept, because our unhealthy lifestyles mean
that we are run-down, and out-of-shape (and probably on all manner of
medications) by the time we arrive there. It doesn't have to be that
way!!
If you live a healthy, active life, then your latter years should be enjoyable and fruitful.
There are groups like Adopt a Grandparent that
aim to match up senior Australians with young families. Or you can
just go to your nearest Aged Care home, and ask if there is anyone there
who would appreciate some extra visitors from time to time. Ask them
about their life. It would be a terrible shame if we let our older
generation die without learning from their stories.
11.) Reduce your dependance on chemicals.
Every time you use chemicals, they end up in the air, in our
waterways, in our soil. It's really not that hard to live without
chemicals. Really, I kid you not!! We only think we need them because of
clever marketing.
Here's a few tips to help you cut back or eliminate chemicals in your home:
Laundry: In
my washing machine, I use bi-carb soda (baking soda), and vinegar
(which also acts as a fabric softener), plus a couple of drops of
water-soluble essential oil, which adds a nice hint of aroma, but also
acts as a disinfectant.
By the way, vinegar and bi-carb are also fantastic for keeping drains clear.
I
have never owned a stain remover. Did you know that the sun is very
efficient at removing most stains? Just hang the item in the sun for a
few hours. This works just fine for white cloth nappies.
Cleaning:
I use a spray bottle with a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil, in
vinegar. This is my multi-purpose cleaner, that I use everywhere,
including showers or toilets. On kitchen benches I use straight vinegar.
I never use bleach, not only is it a harsh chemical whose fumes are
disgusting, but it erodes enamel after a while.
Invest
in some microfiber clothes. Not only do they cut cleaning time, but
they cut water use dramatically, and they make it easier to clean with
all-natural products like vinegar or lemon juice.
12.) Cultivate good manners. I know there are some people who think they're outdated and don't matter.
I disagree (respectfully!).
It
certainly did matter when I was heavily pregnant and had
to carry my groceries home on the bus. My legs were swollen, my back
hurt, and I just wanted to sit down....Except the bus-stop was full of
teenage boys, just out from school, and no-one took the slightest bit of
notice, let alone offered up their seat.
Of
course manners matter! Every time you open the door for someone, thank
them for their time, offer your seat to an elderly person, you are
saying to them "You matter...You are important too".
13. Be healthy. I really cannot overstate this enough. If you
want to fulfill your true potential, and make a positive difference to others, you must nurture your body properly.
If you
are not healthy you are probably going to struggle with
hormonal issues, not handle stress very well, catch every "bug" going around, feel fatigued and unmotivated, and eventually
succumb to some form of dis-ease or illness.
If
you are living on a standard Western Diet,
it's almost a given that you have nutritional deficiencies of some
kind. In fact, science tells us that we would need to eat 10 times the
amount of food that our grandparents ate, just to get the same amount of
nutrients. That's because our soils are nutrient deficient. Then add in
the fact that most of us eat less vegetables, and more packaged foods,
than our grandparents did, and well....you start to understand
why we're overweight, fatigued and stressed.
You would be surprised how far-reaching the consequences can be. Even a minor deficiency in some obscure trace element or mineral is enough to wreak havoc on a person.
For
instance, did you know that hyperactivity in children can be caused by something as simple as a
magnesium deficiency? It breaks my heart to think about how many
children are out there, bewildered over why they can't seem to control
their own actions, constantly in trouble at home and at school, parents
pushed to the brink and ready to give up....all because of a simple
mineral deficiency that could so easily be fixed with changes to diet.
Or
that a deficiency in zinc can cause a loss of sex drive, irritability,
low immune system, and miserable PMS symptoms? How many women (not to
mention their frustrated partners) are struggling with these
issues, and wondering "What's wrong with me?"
Most
people consider themselves to be fairly healthy. I used to be one of
them...until I started doing my own research. A truly healthy person does not
get cold's or flu, does not need any prescription or over-the-counter
medications. A truly healthy person exudes energy and happiness.
My
advice is to regularly see a holistic healthcare practitioner, such as a naturopath or kinesiologist. One that sees the body as a whole, and is committed to healing the problem rather than hiding the symptoms.
14.) Learn to let Go.
Life is what you make it.
If you choose to be controlled by your circumstances and the actions of
others, then you are going to spend a lot of time, miserable and
terribly frustrated.
Ask
yourself if this is going to matter in another 100 years. Next time
someone cuts you off in traffic, or talks about you behind your back,
ask yourself if it really matters in the scheme of things? If the
answer is no, then let it go, and get on with living.
The
same goes for forgiveness. Bitterness and resentment are terribly heavy burdens. No matter
how badly you've been hurt, learn to let it to, otherwise you are only
punishing yourself.
I
learnt a surprising lesson on forgiveness this year. I had been
carrying around some baggage for a long time, over the hurtful actions
of someone I once loved. I thought I needed to forgive him. Turns out that I needed to forgive me.
I
wasn't angry with him at all. I was angry with me. For being so "young
and stupid". For struggling to get over him for so long. For trying too
hard. For not trying hard enough.
It felt so liberating to admit this. And so nice, to make friends with myself.
15.) Lighten UP.
Children laugh on average 400 times per day, while adults laugh only 17
times a day. Laughter and fun seem to come so easily to children. As we
grow up, and take on more responsibilities, we change. There is no
longer the inclination to do things "just for the fun of it". We become
goal-orientated, and we feel that we are wasting our time if we are not
accomplishing things.
Now,
don't get me wrong. Goals are good. It would be a tragic waste to
wander through life, aimlessly, with no direction. But, as a wise person
once said: "We are in danger of becoming Human Doings. Not Human
Beings".
We
don't always have to be doing something with an end goal in mind. It's
okay to just be. It's okay to take time out for relaxation and fun sometimes. Tell a joke. Learn to see the funny side.
And remember: He who learn to laugh at himself, will never cease to be amused :-)
16. Exercise your Democratic Rights.
Many of us in the Western world are blessed to be able to live in a
democratic society. While it's not perfect, it does have a lot of
positives We are able to speak out for what we believe in, we are able
to use people power to bring about change.
The
role of a government in a democratic society, is to represent the will
of the people. This is why they are called public servants. Because they
are there to serve the public!
Write
to your local political representative about issues that you care
about. If enough people do this, then that is how we effect change.
Signing
a petition can be effective, if enough names are gathered. So can
signing a pre-printed postcard, but a personally addressed letter or
email will have the most impact of all.
I
absolutely agree with the importance of foreign aid, and of charities
and NGO's working with homeless/sick/impoverished/exploited people, but
wouldn't it be so much better if the problems weren't there to start
with?
Make a stand for fairer trade laws that benefit ALL people, not just those in wealthy countries.
Fight
for international laws that prevent companies from using people in
third world countries as unknowing guinea pigs in scientific trials.
Ask
for better food labelling laws so people can actually make an informed
decision about what they're putting into their bodies, and so on...
17.) Support the Little Man.
Have you noticed how our cities and towns are becoming eerily similar?
Social commentators refer to this as "Clone Towns". Once upon a time,
you may have walked down the street and seen deli's, and coffee shops,
and gift boutiques.
Now
you walk down that same street, and find McDonalds, Starbucks and Subway. Travel to the other side of the world, and you'll probably
find the same franchises. Our unique heritage and cultures is gradually
being eroded by the " Westernization" of the world.
While
these franchises and large supermarkets are convenient, they are
publicly traded companies, and their legal responsibility is to their
shareholders, NOT to their customer, or to the environment. That is,
their first and foremost responsibility is to make as much money as
possible.
Many
of the "little guys" are there because they love what they do, because
they believe in what they're doing, and they care about the service they
provide to the community. It's not always just about the money, for them.
So,
support your local butcher, and deli, and craft shop. And when you are
travelling and see those quaint hand-painted signs saying vegetables for
sale along the side of the road, support them too. Small family farms struggle to
compete with giant multinational companies in a
global marketplace.
18.) Say NO to GMO.
Genetic modification of food is here with us, whether we like it or not
(and most of us don't, it seems). It was introduced nearly two decades ago, and
many people are still completely unaware of the fact.
It's
a concept that has been heavily pushed by Monsanto Corporation, as
being the answer to world hunger (this is a farce, because world hunger
is not caused by food shortages, just unfair distribution of food...),
lessens the use of chemicals (this is also a farce. Research shows that
the exact opposite has happened, and pesticide use has increased since
the arrival of GM crops), increase crop yields (another farce. Again,
the exact opposite has happened.)
In
India, poor rural farmers were lured into buying GM seeds, with
promises of higher-than-ever-before yields, and good prices. Many
farmers borrowed heavily to buy the seeds, and when harvests failed -
two years in a row, farmers began taking their own life. The supposed
"pest-resistant" seeds fell victim to the bollworm. They were never told
that the seeds required double the amount of water so when rains
failed, the crops simply withered up and died.
An estimated 125,000
farmers have committed suicide in India, since
India became a testing ground for genetically modified crops.
You
see, genetically modified seeds are patented. You can't just save some of the harvest to grow another crop next year, like you would
with traditional seeds. They are inbuilt with so-called "Terminator
technology" so that the resulting crops cannot be used to reproduce, so
next year, you have to buy a whole new load of seed. AND the genetically
modified seeds cost around 10 times more than the traditional seed.
It
is obvious that genetic modification was never about "feeding the
world", or "raising third-world farmers out of poverty". It is about
creating control over the market, and making vast
profits.
But wait. It's get's even worse...
Studies
on the long term health impacts of genetic food modification are
sketchy at best. One lab study fed guinea pigs genetically modified soy,
and there was a 25% reduction in fertility after one generation. The
second generation had a 90% reduction in fertility.
There
are now many studies that back up this link between GM foods and
infertility. (They are inbuilt with "Terminator technology, to stop the
seed from reproducing, remember? Well, it's looking increasingly
possible that it also stops US from reproducing, too.)
And
here's another alarming thought. Once GM crops are being grown, there
is no way to stop them from being cross-pollinated with other non-GM
crops.
PLEASE stand up and be counted on this issue. A good place to start is Say No to GMOs
which aims to raise awareness and education about the consequences of
genetic engineering of our food. By the way....did you know that 90% of
processed food has genetically modified ingredients in it?
19.) Appreciate beauty.
It sounds so easy and enjoyable, but why is it so hard? While I think
we need to appreciate the beauty of nature more - the changing of the
seasons, a flower opened up to the sun, dewdrops on spiderwebs - that's
not the only beauty I mean.
See
the beauty in others. And see the beauty in ourselves! Too often we are
our own harshest judges. Instead of seeing an amazing human body,
created by the hand of God, we focus on our bits of flab, or
the pimple on our chin, or the crow's feet around our eyes.
I
love the words of Mother Teresa - she could see the
face of Jesus when she looked upon the sick and the suffering around
her. To her they were not wretched and dirty and impoverished, they were precious children of God, worthy of her time and
energy.
Look
beyond the outer bits, and realize that every person is priceless.
Every person is beautiful in their own way - treat them accordingly.
That includes yourself.
20.) Be Yourself.
It's that simple. Be-You-tiful!! Think about it...out of the millions
of inhabitants who have walked this earth, in times past and times
present, there's never been one that was like you, with the same
characteristics, gifts, dreams, or abilities.
We are all pieces in the giant jigsaw of humanity, each one so very necessary. No-one else
can fulfill the same role, dream the same dream, or follow the
same path, as you can.
So go to it! Small things, done often enough, can and will change the world.
You Might Also Like:
10 Compelling Reasons To NOT Be Average
Somehow I was working longer hours than ever and getting paid a pittance. I became so tired and run-down, I seemed to constantly have a cold. My son was only 2 yrs old at the time, and I barely saw him. My dream of running my own business had become a nightmare.
