We all know the Earth is suffering. We see it around us everyday. Pollution of air, water, and  land, overpopulation, species dying out, technology running rampant, warfare scarring the terrain, and landfills brimming over with the excesses of a materially-focused, excessively consumptive society.

Do we want this to continue? Do we want to leave our children an Earth so poorly cared for, leave them a tragic legacy? Do we want to surround ourselves in such an environment?  Most people would say, “No”. And, so there, at the point of decision we must take action. It begins with each one of us making that decision consciously and with full commitment to do our part, no matter how small.

As we continue with this commitment we find that we set an example for those around us. And, with hope, those others will also make their commitment. And so it spreads to a global  effort of saving something very precious — our Home.

“Almost anything you do will seem insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” ~~ Ghandi

• Recycle/re-use as much as you can.
• Neuter/spay your pets.
• Before you buy something ask yourself: “Do I REALLY need this?”
• Join a local action group such as the Sierra Club.
• Start a neighborhood clean-up group — and do a bi-weekly or monthly cleaning.
• Turn off the lights.
• Plant something green.
• Don’t throw trash out your car window (yes, I still see people doing this!).
• Carpool.
• Slow down when you drive — it saves on gas.
• Turn off the TV and read a book or take a walk.
• Use products that haven’t been tested on animals.
• Write to your political leaders and support conservation legislation.
• Teach your children how to care for the Earth.
• Mulch your grass clippings and leaves instead of bagging them and taking them to a landfill.
• Use chemicals sparingly.
• Turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.
• Support conservation organizations.
• Be a peaceful force of change.
• Be thankful and appreciate the beautiful planet we live with.

Visit the Heartwood for more on conservation and ecology!

Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author & Poet, Designer & Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with folks needing design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works!

A lot of people are hurting inside these days given the mess the world is in (think the economic crisis, global warming, job losses, and on and on). A terrible sorrow fills me sometimes when I resonate with all that pain. At other times, I am filled with a great hope that all will be better.

I am reminded to be gentle with others. To move out of my own little world, to look beyond my borders. I’m reminded to be grateful for all of the good things in my life. I’m reminded not to judge another’s path or their way of coping with difficult times.

And, I remember to reach out and help as I can. Even if it is in little ways, with simple words, or giving a smile as we pass on the street.

Read more at the MLM Realms W.I.S.E. Forum…

Peace and Joy,

Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author & Poet, Designer & Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with folks needing design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works!

In the most recent issue of the EnlightenNext weekly email I received was a link to a Stuart Davis video. Now, if you aren’t familiar with him, let’s just say as the “Punk Monk” he’s a visionary musician, comedian and one of the founders of the Integral Institute (by the way, I highly recommend checking out Integral Naked for mind-expanding art, music, video, and more!).

Anyhow, in his video Davis plays himself as a schizophrenic debating the pros and cons of a technological society versus an eco-spiritual society. He talks about these serious issues in a witty and amusing way. I loved the ending! *grin*

Take a look and think about what side of this “fence” you’re on (especially considering our recent technological trends). Is technology ALL bad? Should there be limits on it? Does humanity have the right to despoil our planet? Will humanity face extinction?  Is the evolution of our consciousness more important than the latest version of the iPod? What daily impact do you have on this world? How can we make it better?

Good stuff to ponder…when you’re up on a mountain or when you aren’t surfing on the ‘Net.

Watch the video!

Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author & Poet, Designer & Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with folks needing design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works!

I’m curious…just how often and how much makeup do you wear, if any? If you use makeup, why do you? Habit? You like it? Our mothers do it? Men expect it? To make us more attractive? Society pushes it on us? What’s the reason?

I don’t wear makeup too often and when I do it isn’t very much (on special occasions I may do more with a bit of eye-rolling). First off, it takes time. Second, I sometimes feel funny inside putting it on, as if I’m purposefully donning some sort of mask (am I not already beautiful without it?). Third, I know it is probably not too good for my skin.

Fourth, I always think about the fact that men don’t go around putting the stuff on (yeah, why don’t they?!?! I can think of lots of men I’ve seen who might look quite a bit better with some foundation *roflmao*), so why do women do it. Fifth, my lovely mother was never a heavy user (did she not “need” it? nah, she really didn’t!). “User”….*laughs*….that word sounds funny! Does that mean we could be makeup abusers? *wink*

Read more in the MLM Realms W.I.S.E. Forum.

and share your opinions!

Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author & Poet, Designer & Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with folks needing design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works!

a very quick and easy way to take action in a variety of causes:

Join Care2.com’s Race to Stop Global Warming!

Join Care2.com’s Race for the Rain Forest!

Join Care2.com’s Race to Save the Baby Seals!

Join Care2.com’s Race for the Oceans!

Join Care2.com’s Race for the Big Cats!

Join Care2.com’s Race for the Primates!

Join Care2.com’s Race for Children!

Join Care2.com’s Race for Pets!

Join Care2.com’s Race to Stop Violence Against Women!

Join Care2.com and the Breast Cancer Fund’s Climb to End Breast Cancer!

I’ve been doing this since 2000.

Get Involved!

Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author & Poet, Designer & Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with folks needing design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works!