Life tip: How do you measure the wellbeing of a population? Economists like to use GDP, with the theory that if more goods are sold, obviously that
means that people are richer and therefore better off. Too often that is not the case. Too often GDP goes up and the vast majority of the population becomes poorer and less happy. Shouldn’t wellbeing take into account other items, like health of the people, health of the environment, opportunity, and happiness? Similarly, consider that most people determine much of their status based on their net worth, but that leaves out their health, happiness, efforts toward the Earth, community & loved ones. Please take a few minutes to consider what you feel are important aspects of your wellbeing, and in which areas you need to focus more energy. For information on one such replacement metric Gross National Happiness “Live simply, so others may simply live.” - Gandhi
Food: Which sounds like a better option, spending money on healthy, delicious, flavorful food now or spending money on health issues later? Organics & non-processed foods may cost a little more in the short term, but when taking into account that you’ll likely feel better, it’s well worth it. Also, by connecting to local, organic farmers you can make a huge difference in keeping your local economy healthy, your local environment healthy, and building a stronger community. Can’t you just taste the freshness? And when you’re preparing a delicious, healthy repast, why not have kith & kin over to make it not just a meal, but a gathering, a community, a place of love. Considering that food gives us nutrients, energy, flavor, variety, why not return it to its true place of importance in our lives. Consider Slow Food
“If I have to choose, my son said, I’ll take them all. That’s no choice, I said. Obviously, he said, you’ve forgotten how choice works.” – Traveling Light
Cell phones: Have you ever considered what policies & social impacts your cell phone carrier stands for? If your carrier is AT&T, Verizon, or any of the other big names, then they likely stand for conservative practices and the almighty dollar. If that’s not in line with your values, then you might want to try Credo (www.credomobile.com). Credo is a phone company with values; one that cares about and respects the Earth and the fabric of community. They donate a portion of their revenues to h
ealthy & progressive organizations and push politicians towards siding for the people & the planet. Credo is backed by Sierra Club and now by me; in fact I just changed my carrier. Will you join me? And yes, they’ll buy out your old contract. And even if you don’t want to change carriers, you can still sign up on their website to receive emails about political actions & petitions.Deodorant: Want to put fewer chemicals on your body? Want to save a few bucks? Why not make your own deodorant? For a super simple recipe, mix 1.5 tbsp corn starch, 1.5 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and 10 drops of essential oil of your choice in a Tupperware. To apply, just use your fingers or you can pour it into an old deodorant stick container. Play with the recipe until you get the scent and consistency that you want.
Respect yourself. Respect others. Respect Mother Earth.
