Do Some Small Actions -
What would you ask someone to do to change the world? That question started a movement one I immediately liked and understood because the heart of it is so similar to my “Just one Step” philosophy. You might not be able to change the entire world, but you can do some personal action to change your part of it. And lots of those small actions are the steps that amount to a seismic shift.
One very obvious action idea that was shared in the original survey was to decline plastic bags at the store. I’ve noticed merchants here in Manhattan are starting to ask, “Would you like a bag?” rather than automatically providing one. That’s new. I have a very thin cotton bag that folds up to almost nothing that I keep in my purse. It’s tiny and light and takes up no more room than a cell phone, but I dig it out when I’m at a store and am happy to say, “No bag, please.”
Some kid-tested ideas from the We Are What We Do site: teaching granny to text. Let me add that if any senior in your family can’t use your computer, you’re doing them a great disservice and depriving them of an entire world. Don’t let them say they can’t do it. Get them on there, email them daily, show them how to connect with their grandkids on facebook or by email. It’s life-changing. My dad emailed until the day he died at 89 and it was one of his greatest pleasures to chat with his children and grandchildren daily. It kept him relevant in their lives despite not living close to them.
Other ideas from kids: Walk your Dads. Talk to old people, they know great stuff you don't. Talk to young people, they know great stuff you don't. Spend time with someone from a different generation.
The website is has plans to do things in collaboration with Google, like digging out old photos and collecting them on Google Maps.
If you are planning to live in this world for longer than a day or two more, I highly recommend working with We Are What We Do to renovate your section of it.
http://www.WeareWhatWeDoOrg
6 comments:
Interesting, thank you for sharing the link. My Mom loves computers and the internet. My Aunt hates it all. To each her own!
I still take paper or plastic bags because I donate them to my local food pantry and they are always in need of bags, especially with these times and the increase of people showing up at their door.
I drop off small plastic bags at my church which has a soup kitchen on Wednesday nights. They use the bags to tuck some cookies in, for families with small children.
Most stores have inexpensive canvas bags or recycled plastic ones that can be used over and over. I keep these in the car for those times when I'm not going to be able to make that pantry run.
Good post. Good to remind people of ONE STEP AT A TIME. :)Bea
Because I work in a school, I get to do alot of one steps. I try to encourage children who need that little extra encouragement. I help coordinate the Thanksgiving baskets and the christmas gifts for needy families.
On a bigger scale, I was an educational advocate for about ten years of my life, and tried to make a difference in the school district.
I compost (even in the winter) and I recycle as much as I can.
More importantly, I have tried to bring up three children (and now I am working on my nephew) to also be environmentally aware.
thanks for sharing!
Oh, this was the perfect thing for me to read today. Had no clue this link even existed.....
....loved your line about "if you are planning to live in this world longer than a day or two"....
you are too funny.
I think I'll go talk to somebody old.
This is SOO cool Teri. Thank you! I like to say "no bag please" too and I love to recycle. I recycle everything. I'm big on donating to Goodwill and passing on magazines and books too.
Love to talk to my 92 year old grandma who took a computer class at the adult school when she was 80 just so she could learn what it was all about. She is one with it lady!
Teri, I've given you an "Over The Top" blog award. You are an inspiration to me, not only the beautiful artwork you do, but all the hard work you put into running my favorite groups. See my blog for the image and details. Thanks!
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