Living in NYC - one of the greatest melting pots in the world - it's amazing how very little people know about other cultures, ethnicities, religions and races. A friend of mine sent me an article this week about Asian-Caribbeans who came here yearning for aloo pie, and found Jewish knishes to be a good substitute. Who would've thought that those two groups had anything in common?
The Idea: Choose a culture, ethnicity, religion or race that you don't know much about about, or that you have a negative feeling toward. Make it your goal to learn about that culture/ethnicity, etc. - not from Google or the library - but from a native, and by experiencing things typical of that group. Supersize the idea by taking a child along to participate in the experience.
The Cost: Mostly time, but you might have to shell out some $$ for cuisine, garb, events, etc.
The Benefit: A more you know, the more you'll see that we're not really that different. Increasing tolerance reduces racism, hate crimes and biases.
Apr 20, 2007
#16: Celebrating Mother Earth (Friday, April 20)
This Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day. All over the world, people will be participating in activities to help make our earth sustainable for many generations to come. My friends and I will be doing our part tomorrow, but there are many ideas that you can implement both short-term and long-term to reduce your negative impact on the environment.
The Idea: Implement one or all of these ideas into your life. Send along to your friends so they can do so as well.
When eating out, eat at green or eco-friendly restaurants. Don't worry, they're not all vegan; they're establishments that have made a commitment to reduce their emissions, recycle and contribute positively to the environment. To see if there are any such restaurants in your area, do a Google search for "green or eco-friendly restaurants" or you can also go to DineGreen.com
Take public transportation or carpool whenever possible, or share a cab to reduce emissions and conserve gas. If you're in NYC and want to share a cab to the airport, visit Hitchsters.com
Save energy by switching from inefficient incandescent lightbulbs. To learn more about energy-efficient lightbulb stands, visit the EnergyStar website.
The Cost: what you'd be spending anyway.
The Benefit: Every little bit helps!
Happy Earth Day!
The Idea: Implement one or all of these ideas into your life. Send along to your friends so they can do so as well.
When eating out, eat at green or eco-friendly restaurants. Don't worry, they're not all vegan; they're establishments that have made a commitment to reduce their emissions, recycle and contribute positively to the environment. To see if there are any such restaurants in your area, do a Google search for "green or eco-friendly restaurants" or you can also go to DineGreen.com
Take public transportation or carpool whenever possible, or share a cab to reduce emissions and conserve gas. If you're in NYC and want to share a cab to the airport, visit Hitchsters.com
Save energy by switching from inefficient incandescent lightbulbs. To learn more about energy-efficient lightbulb stands, visit the EnergyStar website.
The Cost: what you'd be spending anyway.
The Benefit: Every little bit helps!
Happy Earth Day!
Apr 13, 2007
#15: Roll Up Your Sleeves (Friday, April 13)
Sometimes it's not about a nice gesture, or a smile, or an anonymous good deed (although those things all go a looooooong way). Sometimes what's required to make an impact is to roll up your sleeves and physically do something.
One of my goals this year was to improve my volunteerism and dedicate 52 hours this year to volunteering. As one of these initiatives, I've organized a team to participate in NY Cares' Annual Hands On New York Day. Next Saturday, my friends and I will be working at the East New York Farms' Community Garden which supports the East New York Farmer's Market. Not only does this provide a vital service to this community, the garden itself is actually tended and run by teens!
The Idea: Volunteer for a clean-up initiative, or some project where you actively participate in revitalizing your community (as opposed to writing a check, or just paying taxes).
The Cost: a few hours of your time
The Benefit: You'll make a difference to everyone who comes in contact with that space, and will actually be able to see the difference you have made.
(P.S. If you want to register to participate on my team, today is the last day to do so. Go to the NY Cares website, select "Join an existing team" search for the Guerilla Good team and sign up. All are welcome!)
The pictures from this event are now available for viewing.
One of my goals this year was to improve my volunteerism and dedicate 52 hours this year to volunteering. As one of these initiatives, I've organized a team to participate in NY Cares' Annual Hands On New York Day. Next Saturday, my friends and I will be working at the East New York Farms' Community Garden which supports the East New York Farmer's Market. Not only does this provide a vital service to this community, the garden itself is actually tended and run by teens!
The Idea: Volunteer for a clean-up initiative, or some project where you actively participate in revitalizing your community (as opposed to writing a check, or just paying taxes).
The Cost: a few hours of your time
The Benefit: You'll make a difference to everyone who comes in contact with that space, and will actually be able to see the difference you have made.
(P.S. If you want to register to participate on my team, today is the last day to do so. Go to the NY Cares website, select "Join an existing team" search for the Guerilla Good team and sign up. All are welcome!)
The pictures from this event are now available for viewing.
Apr 6, 2007
#14: The Importance of Forgiveness (Friday, April 6)
If you're a Christian, today is one of the most important days on your religious calendar. Good Friday: the day when the son of God gave his life so that the sins of the world could be forgotten.
I'm not a Christian, but I think it's as good a time as any to practice the art of forgiveness.
A while back, someone who I considered a very dear friend did something to me that was not only hurtful, but in my opinion, dishonest. The situation made me angry, bitter and sad all at the same time. But, as is my tendency, I swept it under the rug and figured I'd feel better with time. I didn't really speak about it to anyone (I alluded to it in jest a few times though), not even my closest friends - I just kept up my happy front. By failing to confront the situation openly and honestly, I bottled up a lot of negative energy which started to affect my sleeping patterns, my skin, my moods and (inadvertently) those around me.
The Idea: If there is a situation or a person with whom you have unresolved issues, acknowledge it, address it, forgive and move on.
The Cost: $0
The Benefit: Restoration of health, peace of mind, and relationships with those around you. A healthy, happy you is a productive you! :)
Let it roll off your back. ;)
I'm not a Christian, but I think it's as good a time as any to practice the art of forgiveness.
A while back, someone who I considered a very dear friend did something to me that was not only hurtful, but in my opinion, dishonest. The situation made me angry, bitter and sad all at the same time. But, as is my tendency, I swept it under the rug and figured I'd feel better with time. I didn't really speak about it to anyone (I alluded to it in jest a few times though), not even my closest friends - I just kept up my happy front. By failing to confront the situation openly and honestly, I bottled up a lot of negative energy which started to affect my sleeping patterns, my skin, my moods and (inadvertently) those around me.
The Idea: If there is a situation or a person with whom you have unresolved issues, acknowledge it, address it, forgive and move on.
The Cost: $0
The Benefit: Restoration of health, peace of mind, and relationships with those around you. A healthy, happy you is a productive you! :)
Let it roll off your back. ;)
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