Our forefathers declared the intention for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. There’s nothing in there about working so hard you can’t enjoy life, or indebtedness to finance charges, or the pursuit of stuff. Yet, when we looked to our leaders for guidance, we are told the “American Way” is to go shopping.
There is something inherently wrong with this picture, at least to my way of thinking. Check out The Story of Stuff. I love how they illustrate the cycle of consumerism. Now, every time a commercial comes on my daughter just laughs and says, “You suck!” and we talk about something else. Do you feel like you are drowning in your stuff, overwhelmed with responsibilities, or simply aren’t enjoying your life? This month, I challenge you to evaluate what “Independence” means to you and for your life. What changes might you make to support the values and life you truly desire?
For your Stuff...
FREEDOM FROM JUNK: This month give yourself the freedom from junk—clean out your junk drawer(s). Dump the whole thing out on the floor, sit down, and sort through it all. Recycle any expired coupons, menus for take out places you’ve never called, and other random paper that has accumulated here. Take those dead batteries to the nearest SAFE disposal site, and collect the paper clips and safety pins in a pile. Small boxes or wire dividers can help keep the contents from getting jumbled as you put them back. The very nature of the junk drawer is random and various items, so you don’t have to get all “Martha Stewart” about it. Yet, by simply removing the actual junk in the drawer you can then easily use the items you need.
For your Spirit...
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: “Very little is needed to have a happy life.” —Marcus Aurelius There is profound wisdom in this simple quote.
For the Earth...
INDEPENDENCE FROM FOREIGN OIL :America uses almost one fourth of the global total at a rate of 20.7 million barrels daily! That far exceeds every other country in the world! (China is next at 7.7 million gallons. All of OECD-Europe uses 15.4 million.)* So, how can we reduce our dependence on oil? The first thing that might have popped into your head was fuel efficiency, hybrids, alternative fuels. It seems to be a hot topic these days. All of those things are important, but fueling our cars is only a small portion of our oil consumption. So, yes, walk to the market and carpool with the kids to soccer practice. When you get home, find at least 3 ways you can reduce your oil consumption there as well. Would you be willing to unplug all the cell phone, laptop, and game system chargers when you aren’t using them? Electronics and chargers still draw up to 80% of their power in “standby” mode. Would you be willing to switch to powder dishwasher detergent or use soap bars instead of liquid alternatives? Petroleum is used in the production of plastic. Would you be willing to buy in bulk to reduce packaging and transportation fuel use? What other ideas do you have to reduce your consumption, let us know!
* Information on oil consumption was found at www.worldwatch.org.
For your work...
GET GROUNDED : Whether you work in an office or a construction site, a great way to start your shift is to ground yourself. Take a moment to stop and take a few deep breaths. Let any worries or thoughts of what you have to do after work go. Turn your attention towards your work at hand. (Just as it’s a good idea to leave work at the office and truly be present with your family at home, you can be more productive at work if you focus solely on that while you are there.) Now you can focus on your day, what do you need to accomplish today. You may check with your supervisor, consult your schedule, or sort through your in box. Make a To Do List and then prioritize those items. Taking five minutes at the beginning of each day to do this can help you be efficient, organized, and more productive throughout your whole day.
Previous Tips of the Month... |
