ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Climate change may be a big problem, making resolutions to help the enviroment for our future generations, we sometimes forget the simple things in life that also are required. Read on for ideas...

To the world you may be one person
but to one person...
you may be the world!
Anonymous

Submitted from our ecobiters forum

How to make a difference

* We would like to have everyone in the world do 1 nice thing for 3 people in one day - you dont need to know them - then encourage others to do this - word will spread about how happy it makes people to help others and bingo ! - the world will be a better place instantly - try it today !!!!!!

* To make a difference - get out in Nature

I love being outdoors and I believe that if everyone spent some time outside playing and interacting with nature we will learn how important having this environment is for us. How do we do that?

Spend time in parks and climb trees, run around in the grass, or just sit quietly and look at the flora and fauna. The fresh air will make you feel a lot better than if you were inside. If you want to get really out there, there are Children's farms which give you the chance to feed, pat and play with farm animals. Nature is all around us and doing simple things like this will help you to realise how wonderful flora and fauna is.

And to really make a difference smile at everyone you meet, even strangers that you walk past whilst out in nature.

*Speak to someone you've never really spoken to before, someone who might even be in the same street as you. Even better talk to a complete stranger, guaranteed to make yours and someone elses day!

*Buy a homeless person a wholesome healthy meal and a drink as a random act of kindness.

*Instead of Christmas office parties and Christmas gifts collect food to give to charity for their Christmas food distribution.

Get the whole family involved...Children taught to volunteer at a young age will be more likely to help others when they get older, according to an Independent Sector / Gallop Poll.

*Practice random acts of kindness in ways that allow someone to receive without the need for you to be thanked. It is fun, requires some creative thinking at times and pleasure is derived from the task rather than the outcome. There was a movie with this as the theme whose name escapes me at present but when I tried it, it felt great so I try to do it regularly. Enjoy

*Plant native trees: Give each child a seedling or a packet of seeds and a small shovel. Let the children plant the trees in a park or other public area (with permission, of course). Consider asking a park ranger to take the children on a nature walk.

*Make cards for critically-ill children. Set up a table with bright coloured or any recycled paper and card, stickers, glitter, crayons,fabric scraps, ribbons and markers.  Let the children make personalized cards for hospitalized children.

*Assemble supply kits for the needy. Collect supplies for people in need / Organize a food drive collecting canned goods and nonperishable items for an agency.

Let kids assemble eg baby supply kits.

*Create teddy bears for children in need. Older children can learn how to knit or crochet teddy bears.

*Help teach a younger child to read. www.starfall.com

*Gather clothing from your neighbors and donate to a local shelter.

* Organize a neighbourhood clean-up day.

*Clean up a vacant lot or park.

*Clean up trash along a river, lake, beach or park.

*Teach a senior friend how to use the computer and Internet.

*Read books or the newspaper for a visually impaired person and do errands for the elderly - buy a newspaper, mow the lawn, deliver baked treats, jams etc.

*Send a letter to a veteran or overseas soldier.

*Adopt a "grandfriend", write letters and visit them.

*Organize a drive for warm hats, mittens, socks and gloves / animal food, toys, blankets, water bottles, bowls for animal shelters.

*Volunteer to help in a local animal shelter - take the dogs for a walk.

*Sell baked goods to establish a "cabin fever" fund for families. Use the money to buy movie passes, bowling passes, gift certificates to restaurants, bookstores or other recreational activities.

*Have an "art party" collecting donations of art supplies that can be used by young and old.

*Bring, prepare and serve a meal at an emergency shelter.

*Organize a "walk-a-thon" to raise money for an agency.

*Make "I Care Kits." Collect personal care items such as toothbrushes, combs, brushes, shampoo, lotions, soap, deodorant etc. Organize the items and distribute to agencies with families in need.

*Organize groups to make gift baskets for special times of the year or for new babies. Distribute to area senior centers, or hospitals.

*Collect donations of new and "gently used" household items such as sheets, blankets, and towels. Distribute to area shelters.

*Mentor a younger person.

*Bake treats and bring them to your local fire or police station.

*Plant flowers in a public area that could use some sprucing up (you may have to get approval first).

*Invite a local police officer to present a drug awareness or safety presentation at your children's school - collect donations for their chosen cause.

*Volunteer at a polling booth on Election Day.

*Learn to be a peer counselor.

*Pack and handout food at a local food bank.

*Hold an afternoon dance for a local senior center.

For our Mum's and Dad's etc... the 100 year  letter project

http://www.desmogblog.com/100/

We asked friends of DeSmogBlog to write a letter to their great, great grandchildren about their vision and hopes for their world in 100 years, in the context of global warming. Will we all be underwater? In outer space?

*Set goals that are achievable and bring about meaningful change one step at a time.

*Enjoy helping others, smile and be happy.

 THE WAY TO HAPPINESS

KEEP YOUR HEART FREE FROM HATE
YOUR MIND FREE OF WORRY
LIVE SIMPLY....
EXPECT LITTLE....
GIVE MUCH

AUTHOR UNKNOWN