My blog has been going great and I have learned a lot by looking at the world around me in a different way. I have become closer to my true nature than ever before and it is very cleansing. However, today I couldn't bring myself to write about anything but the wildfire's searing their way through my home state. A person I work with has died along with her daughter and I am sad and disheartened by the chaos of nature. I am humbled and grateful for the simple things God has given me in my life. I am thankful to simply be alive today, to be able to sit next to my husband and son and feel the breeze on my skin. It is during times like this that really make me see the largeness of the world I live in, and just how little control I have over the majority of the events that take place here. Instead of letting that make me feel weak I see myself as lucky to be a part of it all.
I don't do well with loss, especially of life's lived in too short of time. What I can't understand just as much is how disconnected and unloving people can be in times of such sorrow. I was looking at the national news to see the what was happening in other parts of the state, and I happened on a CNN article. The comments posted on it we're so negative. All people cared about was politics. They were saying terrible things like people here deserved to be burned because of our sins, that Rick Perry is evil and his constituents were ignorant. That everyone in Texas are tea party conservatives with no soul and this is a lesson to be learned about global warming. That because of our politics we shouldn't receive aid from FEMA. I am obviously a liberal. This blog is about living life green, with respect for the environment and for the whole of humanity. And, I have certainly had some very healthy and passionate debates with conservatives and republicans alike. Never have I been so ashamed to be in the same category as people so vastly disconnected from their fellow human beings. Who cares about the political climate. Most of the debates shown during campaigning or on the news shows have everything to do with election and influencing peoples votes. They hate each other on stage and go to lavish parties together the same night.
If we really want to see healthy change in our society, we have to come together and refuse to let ourselves be pawns in someone else's game. We need to show compassion to others, especially those with different ideas. It is important to have an open mind. Some of the most important lessons I have learned in life came from people who were very different than myself. During times of crisis we need to band together and treat one another with respect, it makes me very sad that while good people are dying and losing their homes, people are simply spouting rhetoric. Let's get over ourselves and lend a hand. Actions speak louder than words, and that is the biggest lesson I have learned in the last month while creating this blog.
I spent much of my life dreaming about what I wanted to do, thinking about what the future holds for me instead of grasping the realities of those fantasies. Now, it's time for me to get my hands dirty and my soul clean. To find bliss in the smallest things and realize that ambition and greed will get me nothing but discontent. Today, I am rejoicing at the sound of my husbands piano echoing off the walls, and my sons laughter as he plays in the corner of the room. This is what life is about, appreciating what has already been given to you.
My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their livelihoods and homes today. I am in mourning for the people who will be missed and hope that the fires will be extinguished soon. Please, love one another and thank God for the miracle of the every day. Blessed Be.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Weekly Top Five
Top Five Sustainable Websites
This website has come a long way since it's start in 2005. Last year they boasted a revenue of $314 million. They lesson here? Don't underestimate the power of crafty women! For lack of a better description, the site has often been called Ebay for artists. It is a place where everyone from painters of fine arts to felt crafts can sell their products to people all over the world without leaving their studios or their homes. Buyers can browse through three categories Handmade, Vintage or Supplies. This is why the e-commerce site made the list, because almost everything available to purchase is handmade, often from used items. It is wonderful that so many people, both men and women, could work at home with their families and make a good living. The money spent on Etsy goes toward hard working artisans so you can feel good about what you get!
Many people find their homes cluttered with junk they don't need. Some have garage sales, but the hassle and time required often make it easier to just throw it away. Occasionally, someone might take the items to Goodwill, but don't feel like hauling it across town. Just think about how many old dressers, desks and trash bags full of clothes you see on the curbside during spring cleaning season. Well, Craigslist to the rescue. This is a great place to find used items for cheap! It's great for budget conscious people who don't like to spend an arm and a leg for something they can get slightly used for half the price. You can even find free items, or things owners are willing to trade or barter for. It's like a giant garage sale you can skim through in your underwear. You look through the ads, find what you want, call the person who listed the item and pick it up. Sometimes, you can even negotiate a drop off! And the best thing is your saving a perfectly good product from being dumped in a landfill.
Much like the above mentioned website, this site is done in a classified ad style. You join through yahoo group with people in your own community and peruse the items listed. However, this one is better because nothing costs money. Everything is free!! Everything from car parts and baby clothes to bicycles and hay bails. You'd be surprised what you find on here. There are a lot of things that people don't want anymore but they feel bad just throwing it away. It's great for finding materials to re-purpose I've seen stories online about people who built their homes with items found on Freecycle. It's not as popular as Craigslist, but it is on the rise and definitely worth it to look into.
The Mecca for eco-minded people. They have everything for every kind of earth lover. From blog reviews to new gadgets. It is full of great articles that can interest science fans, homesteaders and every day people who just want to know how they can make a difference. Their list of green blogs is wonderful. They also have great forums where you can become involved in the green movement or get your questions answered and fun games to play when your bored. If you are just now becoming interested in the green lifestyle, this should be your first stop online. They will connect you to anywhere and everywhere on the web.
Last but not least is the website for the wildly popular magazine. John Shuttleworth started the magazine in 1970 in his home with a mere $1500. Since then, it has gained a loyal readership of almost half a million. It is the ultimate sustainability information library. They aren't greedy with their knowledge either. Even if you don't get a subscription, if you visit their site, there are thousands of great articles to read through for free. They take you back to your roots, and share traditions that for some reason skipped a few generations. For all of you who grew up ignorant to gardening, canning and cooking the old fashioned way, this site will brush up your skills. There's plenty more where that came from though. One of my favorite articles shows you how to build a cabin for $100! They also have good listings for farms and land all across North America. If you want to learn a homesteading skill like raising chickens, or backyard bee keeping, this is the place. Even if you aren't the do it yourself type, there's a lot of fun and interesting things to find here, and good prizes to win. Hands down, my favorite sustainable stop on the web.
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