When We Give We Heal

I will always have an unshakable faith in all human beings. We all have the capacity to not only care for ourselves but also to contribute to the world as a whole. I believe in a world where people find meaning in their lives by doing their part to make the world a better place. A world where each individual is using their limitless capabilities where it is most needed and where it unleashes most creativity and joy.

I believe in a world without homeless people. My goal is 'ZERO' - a world with not a single person sleeping on the streets. What is your goal? We can all wave a flag. We can be the person starting to talk about an issue that is not talked about. We can show compassionate care. We can help people to transition into a better life.

Peace starts with a smile and with small actions. When we are contributing to the healing of the world we automatically feel good and when we feel good we have no reason to harm anybody. It all starts with us and that is both a blessing, a responsibility and an opportunity. We all have what it takes and all we have to to is start. What does 'getting active' mean to you today?

Every Language has a Word for Water

Nearly three-quarters of Earth's surface may be covered with water, but only 3 percent of the Earth's water is fresh.

U.S. residents use more water than people in other countries do—about 151 gallons per day on average for domestic and municipal purposes. In the U.K., people live a more water-efficient lifestyle, consuming just 31 gallons per day. In Ethiopia, people have to make do with just 3 gallons per person per day.

It takes three liters of water to produce a one-liter bottle of water. An estimated 40 percent of bottled water sold in the U.S. is just filtered tap water. Bottled water costs as much as $10 per gallon compared to less than a penny per gallon for tap water.

To learn more about water—where it comes from, how it shapes the planet and the lives of people, plants, and animals everywhere—visit the special exhibition Water: H2O = Life at the American Museum of Natural History if you are in New York or visit their website www.amnh.org/exhibitions/water where all the facts come from.

Also, go to www.h2oconserve.org for brilliant water-saving tips. If we don't start today, then when?

Reasons to Buy Local Food

• Local food tastes better. Food imported from far away is older, has travelled on trucks or planes, and has sat in warehouses before it finally gets to your plate. You also get the opportunity to stay connected to the seasons.
  
  
• Local food is safer. Local framers aren’t anonymous and they take their responsibility to the consumer seriously. Local food also supports local families and builds community between eater and grower.
  
  
• Local food is an investment in the future – both yours and your communitys. By supporting local farmers today, you are helping ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow. The shorter the time between the farm and your table, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost from fresh food. Fresh is always best.

Save our Planet

• Plant a tree. One tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide a year.
  
  
• Use refillable tea mugs and bring your own bottle of water.
  
  
• Read the news on the Internet and save the trees.
  
  
• Buy less things. You don't really need them, do you? Always think twice.
  
  
• Unplug unused electronics.
  
  
• Buy fresh foods instead of frozen. Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce.
  
  
• Walk, take the bus or carpool with a few friends.
  
  
• Move your thermostat down two degrees.
  
  
• Go paperless.
  
  
• Take actions to stop getting junk mail.
  
  
• Use less water.
  
  
• Cut down your consumption of animal products.
  
  
• Line dry clothes instead of using a dryer.
  
  
• Buy local and ecological food whenever possible.

Help the Homeless

It is easier than you think to make a difference. When we all work together, even the little things we do can have a significant impact in helping homeless people. Here are three immediate steps you can take to start making a difference today:

• Donate food, blankets, clothing and other basic necessities to your nearest coalition for homeless.
  
  
• Volunteer and assist homeless men, women and children in the ways you can. Provide a meal, listen to someones story, mentor a teenager or organize a fundraising event. Contact your nearest coalition and ask how you can help.
  
  
• Speak out and show that you care. Write a letter to the newspaper, talk to people you know to find solutions and talk to the homeless to get their view of helping. It doesn't matter what we do as long as we do something.