The New Year always brings resolutions at my house. I’ve had the same resolutions year after year, generic goals like getting healthier, losing weight and exercising more. This year, I made a bucket list of things I want to do, specific things that may help others or the planet, or both. Maybe if I focus on a greater good, a global good if possible, those other things will fall into place.
By publishing the list, I am hoping I’ll be more inclined to complete them all (or at least make a much heartier attempt than in years past). Thank you, reader, for being my accountability partner. The best intentions here.
Perhaps you will be inspired to join me!
Pay it forward – Join one local worthy organization, like Habitat 4 Humanity or The Free Store, to spend a day each month helping somebody else. Good will has global potential. Think snowball.
Rain Barrel – Now on my husband’s ‘Honey please do list’ is to either construct or buy a rain barrel. Rain is free water, compliments from above, no strings attached, so we all need our barrel’s worth.
Herb garden – I look forward to planting and using more herbs, and learning about their medicinal properties. Brown thumb be cursed!
Books – My love of reading could break the bank, so I resolve to go to the library once a week and to become a regular at Second Look Books in Harrisburg. There, I can consign old books and order new books at 25 percent off the rack rate. Declutter, donate, read more and save money!
Speaking of clutter, there is no cheaper therapy than getting rid of unwanted items and creating space and energy in your home. Donate unneeded items to thrift stores, give my belongings a second life instead of adding to the landfill. Closets, attic and drawers: here I come.
Community Groups – Maya Angelou said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world” so I plan to rub elbows with the movers and shakers at Green Drinks (now meeting at Embassy Suites on the 2nd Thursday of each month), Cabarrus County Sustainability Council and Enviro-mingles by the Center for the Environment.
Schools – Share environmental education to enhance recycling and composting programs in place, expand the Terracycle brigades used for fundraising with commonly hard-to-recycle items and help the “MAD club” to Make A Difference.
Clean Air - Share the No Idle Campaign with administrators and parents and get this program implemented at our school.
Organize a neighborhood recycling fundraiser for a good cause, with items such as Cell Phones for Soldiers, Nike’s Reuse a Shoe program, Coats for Cubs, etc. Let me know if you want more information and I’ll be glad to help you start one, too!
Attend all Earth Day festivals, plant a tree (and hug a few too). Fun stuff!
Travel – I have plans to visit Chicago, Illinois, Cancun, Mexico and Tuscany, Italy. In those travels, I will work to keep my footprint as light as possible, which will take some purposeful steps (pun intended). Stay tuned for Green Traveler news later in 2012.
Writing – My professional goal this year is to write every day and join a writer’s group. You may not be a writer, but everyone has a story to tell…and if it can help somebody else, or you can offer a tip that saves energy, water, paper, money or anything else we’re all running low on, you need to share it too!
If you have something you’d like me to write about, or want to partner up on a local fundraiser or writing group, please contact me at verdemom@ymail.com .
Happy New Year!
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement