Is it just me or is bad behavior the "new normal?" Civility, derived from the Old French and Latin term for "good citizen," is more than polite courtesies. Civility allows us to live respectfully in communities by means of treating others with respect, compassion, and kindness. By doing so, we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of many.
Here are a few tools to use (I ran across these in a recent magazine article):
1. Regardless of your age, make a habit of practicing kindness, generosity and gratitude. Research shows that people who regularly practice these acts live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
2. Nurture your social relationships; balancing Internet contact with phone calls and face-to-face visits, which are more personal forms of communication.
3. Take advantage of "teachable moments" with your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. We are no longer teaching our kids manners--or respect and empathy for others.
Help reverse the trend of bad behavior. Together, we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Recycle, Reuse - Earth911
Check out www.Earth911.com.
An environmental services company that addresses solutions for products' end-of-life for both consumers and businesses.
Guide to local resources including recycle centers, how to recycle, pollution prevention, plus more. Search by zip, address, city or state.
No more excuses...take the time to learn how you can protect your surroundings.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
An environmental services company that addresses solutions for products' end-of-life for both consumers and businesses.
Guide to local resources including recycle centers, how to recycle, pollution prevention, plus more. Search by zip, address, city or state.
No more excuses...take the time to learn how you can protect your surroundings.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Monday, February 13, 2012
New Homes for Old Stuff
Donate What You Don't Need.
To give away:
To give away:
- Books: Contact local women's shelters or hospitals; BooksForSoldiers.com; BooksForAfrica.org.
- Arts & Crafts Supplies, Magazines, Fabric, Yarn: Contact local children's after-school programs
- Paints, Carpet & Leftover Construction Supplies: Contact Habitat ReStores (habitat.org)
- Eyeglasses: Contact GoodWill.org; LionsClubs.org; NewEyesForTheNeedy.org
- Business Clothes: Contact DressForSuccess.org; CareerGear.org
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Recycle Your Cell Phone
Don't Trash Your Cell Phone -- Recycle It
Recycling old cell phones is now as easy as sending a letter thanks to the nonprofit Earthworks.
Help keep toxic metals out of the environment (landfills) with the Recycle My Cell Phone campaign. Visit www.recyclemycellphone.org for details.
Every cell phone can be recycled. All makes and models of mobile phones from all over the world are accepted. The age or condition is not important. Just be sure to deactivate your service plan before you send in your phone.
Host a cell phone collection in your community or workplace.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Recycling old cell phones is now as easy as sending a letter thanks to the nonprofit Earthworks.
Help keep toxic metals out of the environment (landfills) with the Recycle My Cell Phone campaign. Visit www.recyclemycellphone.org for details.
Every cell phone can be recycled. All makes and models of mobile phones from all over the world are accepted. The age or condition is not important. Just be sure to deactivate your service plan before you send in your phone.
Host a cell phone collection in your community or workplace.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Expressions of Gratitude & Thanksgiving
Gratitude - a feeling of thankful appreciation for favors or benefits received."
Source: Websters Unabridged New Twentieth Century Dictionary
November is "Gratitude Month" and with Thanksgiving Day soon approaching let's take time to feel gratitude to God for all the good things in life, acknowledge the good deeds of our family and friends and be thankful.
Life is very trying right now for many people. Some are facing economic challenges, many are physically ill, and some are facing family issues. So, for just a few minutes on Thanksgiving Day, step outside your situation and just "be". Find something, no matter how small, to be thankful for because in giving thanks you will be lightening your load, even if only for a moment. Don't believe me? Give it a try!
Thanksgiving thoughts are the kind of thoughts we should have all year long. Take time for kindness to those we hold most dear, extend a helping hand to others throughout the year, and set aside some time to share with family and friends.
Start a Thanksgiving Day Tradition
At your holiday gathering, give guests strips of colorful paper, have each person write a line of thanks and sign his or her name, and drop the strips into a clear glass bowl. Use the bowl as a centerpiece; then, after the feast, pass it around and ask each person to read one note out loud. You may discover that your teenager is grateful for you after all.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all and may the Thanksgiving peach you feel this holiday last the whole year through.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
God bless,
Hollie
Source: Websters Unabridged New Twentieth Century Dictionary
November is "Gratitude Month" and with Thanksgiving Day soon approaching let's take time to feel gratitude to God for all the good things in life, acknowledge the good deeds of our family and friends and be thankful.
Life is very trying right now for many people. Some are facing economic challenges, many are physically ill, and some are facing family issues. So, for just a few minutes on Thanksgiving Day, step outside your situation and just "be". Find something, no matter how small, to be thankful for because in giving thanks you will be lightening your load, even if only for a moment. Don't believe me? Give it a try!
Thanksgiving thoughts are the kind of thoughts we should have all year long. Take time for kindness to those we hold most dear, extend a helping hand to others throughout the year, and set aside some time to share with family and friends.
Start a Thanksgiving Day Tradition
At your holiday gathering, give guests strips of colorful paper, have each person write a line of thanks and sign his or her name, and drop the strips into a clear glass bowl. Use the bowl as a centerpiece; then, after the feast, pass it around and ask each person to read one note out loud. You may discover that your teenager is grateful for you after all.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all and may the Thanksgiving peach you feel this holiday last the whole year through.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
God bless,
Hollie
Friday, November 5, 2010
America Recycles Day - November 15
On November 7, when daylight savings time ends, we get another 60 precious minutes added to our day. An hour might be all we need to purge our closets and de-clutter the cabinets and drawers of outdated items. Instead of tossing them in the trash, which will then head to the landfill, why not take the time to recycle them?
A little over a week from now is America Recycles Day (November 15). And yes, there's a website specifically for this event. Go to www.americarecyclesday.org. Need to know What, When, Where & How to recycle your items? On the above website, click on the link, Recycle in Your Community, type in the item in question and add your zip code and you will be provided a list of locations in your area accepting that specific item. No excuses now!
Here's a list of potential items to get you started:
When you recycle...10 cans per week / You Save enough energy for 30 hours of TV watching per week
When you recycle...4 Sunday papers per month / You Save 4 trees per year
When you recycle...15 plastic bottles per week / You Save enough fiber to make 156 t-shirts per year
When you recycle...1 glass bottle / You Save enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours, or power a computer for 30 minutes or a TV for 20 minutes
Source: Family Circle Nov 2010
If you're not already recycling, now would be a great time to start. If you're an avid recycler, kudos to you for your effort to save the planet.
If you run across items that are in good working order or in good shape, but you no longer have a use for them, please consider donating the items to a local charity. In a future post, I'll provide a list of charities and the item they are accepting.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Hollie
A little over a week from now is America Recycles Day (November 15). And yes, there's a website specifically for this event. Go to www.americarecyclesday.org. Need to know What, When, Where & How to recycle your items? On the above website, click on the link, Recycle in Your Community, type in the item in question and add your zip code and you will be provided a list of locations in your area accepting that specific item. No excuses now!
Here's a list of potential items to get you started:
- Outdated cell phones, computer equipment, VCR, DVD/CD players, cameras
- Intact light bulbs
- Batteries (household and car)
- Cleaning supplies
- Pesticides and fertilizers
- Paint and supplies
When you recycle...10 cans per week / You Save enough energy for 30 hours of TV watching per week
When you recycle...4 Sunday papers per month / You Save 4 trees per year
When you recycle...15 plastic bottles per week / You Save enough fiber to make 156 t-shirts per year
When you recycle...1 glass bottle / You Save enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours, or power a computer for 30 minutes or a TV for 20 minutes
Source: Family Circle Nov 2010
If you're not already recycling, now would be a great time to start. If you're an avid recycler, kudos to you for your effort to save the planet.
If you run across items that are in good working order or in good shape, but you no longer have a use for them, please consider donating the items to a local charity. In a future post, I'll provide a list of charities and the item they are accepting.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Hollie
Friday, October 22, 2010
How to Build Community
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." Gandhi.
Wow, what a simple statement with so much potential.
I ran across a poster from an artist by the name of Karen Kerney that lists simple suggestions that can help restore our eroding sense of community. Virtually everyone can do most items.
Text reads...
Turn off your TV
Leave your house
Know your neighbors
Look up when you are walking
Greet people
Plant flowers
Use your library
Play together
Buy from local merchants
Share what you have
Help a lost dog
Take children to the park
Garden together
Support neighborhood schools
Fix it even it you didn't break it
Have pot lucks
Honor elders
Pick up litter
Talk to the mail carrier
Start a tradition
Bake extra and share
Share your skills
Take back the night
Listen before you react in anger
Seek to understand
Learn from new and uncomfortable angles
Start with just a few items listed above and implement them into your life the next month or two and see what happens. Together We Can Make A Difference!
Have a great weekend.
Hollie
Wow, what a simple statement with so much potential.
I ran across a poster from an artist by the name of Karen Kerney that lists simple suggestions that can help restore our eroding sense of community. Virtually everyone can do most items.
Text reads...
Turn off your TV
Leave your house
Know your neighbors
Look up when you are walking
Greet people
Plant flowers
Use your library
Play together
Buy from local merchants
Share what you have
Help a lost dog
Take children to the park
Garden together
Support neighborhood schools
Fix it even it you didn't break it
Have pot lucks
Honor elders
Pick up litter
Talk to the mail carrier
Start a tradition
Bake extra and share
Share your skills
Take back the night
Listen before you react in anger
Seek to understand
Learn from new and uncomfortable angles
Start with just a few items listed above and implement them into your life the next month or two and see what happens. Together We Can Make A Difference!
Have a great weekend.
Hollie
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