I was at a workshop when one of the leaders, who I was having a good conversation with at the time, mentioned to me that the reason she meditated every day because then she could trust herself. I felt like she was on to something that I’ hadn’t thought of in that way before.

When you meditate you close out and quiet down the noise in the mind so that you can better listen to your body and soul wisdom.  You allow for time to listen.

We all want to be heard, and in conversation we practice listening to others, but how often do we listen to ourselves or our guiding voice?  Really listen, I mean.  For those who are spiritual, prayer is the time to talk to God/dess/ the Universe.  Do they also allow themselves the time to listen in that conversation?  I believe they should.

Coming out of meditation feels like stepping out of a bath, the elation after a long run, or waking up on the right side of the bed.  In that moment and afterwards you are influenced only by your heart. You are listening to you and not the worries in your head or the opinion of others.

And so, yes, meditating has health and a variety of other benefits to it, but also keep in mind that being able to trust yourself is one of those.

Traditionally the hero/ine was the achetype that comes in and saves the day when something has gone wrong or justice needs to be done.

To me, through the lens of sustainability and environmental justice, a heroine is a support for people who know they need help.   She enables organizations and groups of citizens, through facilitation and training, to create a better world for themselves. A better world which is based on the shared values and culture of the community and not what someone else thinks they should be.

The heroine of now is intelligent, knows when to ask for advice and collaborates as much as possible. She listens, drawing out of people the inner knowledge that they have of self and community. She supports imagination and creativity.

She is available to guide people through the process of negotiating how to get around/through challenges.

She is a quiet, firm leader.

You know that you could use her help. All you have to do is ask. The power to change the world is in your hands.

No gender, income level, or other issue gets in her way. She is the embodiment of hope and the nurturing that our communities need.

While I cannot claim Goddess like perfection, I do seek to become this heroine more and more every day.

Last year my first year at the BIG E and since I could not muster up the desire to attend again this year, it might just be my last unless some changes are made.

The Big E is an awesome opportunity to reach out and share some of what is truly special about New England.  Music, arts, goods grown and made here, could all be featured in such a way to generate revenue, and encourage additional tourism and ‘local holidays.’

Sadly, this opportunity is missed because while you can see a really cool butter sculpture each year most of the Big E feels like it is dedicated to sell, sell, sell.

There is very little boost to the local economy when I’m buying cheap stuff from other parts of the world like Italian ceramics or East Indian decorations.  I don’t get a sense of what it is like to live in any of the states by their buildings because while there are tourism pamphlets all the big signs and places are about selling you something.

I urge the Big E to take a look at the opportunity that they have to promote community.  Re-thinking how the fair is set up by at least by adding features could greatly honor our culture and where we come from.  I would love to see this event become a rallying point about what is special about New England.

This year on my wish list for Christmas is for my loved ones to spend less money on me, since buying new gifts can be unnecessarily financially draining.

In order to receive this gift of less waste, I let my family know that used items in good condition would be happily accepted.  I find it fascinating what can be found for free if you just ask. On the internet, Freecycle enables people to connect about items they have and need.  Taking the initiative to be open with those you know about what your needs are could potentially turn up that perfect gift lightly or entirely unused and in storage.

I think it is great when my family can trade, barter, or find someone giving away what they otherwise would have to buy.  This wish of mine also spurred me to look through my own belongings for lightly used items that I no longer or never have used.

Me, a long time ago

Other thoughts on a more sustainable and earth-friendly holiday.

Gift Wrap:

1. Wrapping gifts in reusable bags which the recipient can either keep, give back or pass along to another person in need
2. Opting to not wrap gifts at all (can be challenging if you don’t know the person well)
3. Wrapping in old newspaper or paper bags and then coloring or painting on any additional decoration or adding a simple ribbon.

Life is like this. Often you think the only choice is to stop and return the way you came. Going with the flow and trying a different approach may be the best option. Trying something new when faced with situations as they arise is not a bad idea. Sometimes you find more efficient way of dealing with a problem than what past habits allowed.

Don’t forget what Einstein said “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

So go ahead and try a new approach. Be creative. (But safe too!)

I live nearly at the end of a street and on the left so that when I am driving home I habitually end up facing away from the direction in which I want to be pointed when I leave.

Eventually I realized that I have two choices, I can either do a three point turn (Option A), or I can continue another 200 feet and go around to the next block that will take me to where I need to go (Option B.)

Option A stops my car in its tracks, twice, potentially slows down the road, is difficult when there are a lot of other cars parked on the narrow street, and is generally annoying.

Option B takes the same amount of time, doesn’t block the road, and allows me to continue in a a way that feels unhindered.

Actually, there is an Option C as well, which combines the ease of Option B and adds the convenience of being pointed in the direction I want to be when I am leaving. That would simply be turning one street early and going around the block on the way in.

Was there a point to this? Yup, I now know a more efficient way to park my car and to think about problems or annoyances.

Of course, I could always go with Option D and park the car in the driveway…

Over the years I have read Adbusters, participated in TV turn off week, and generally avoided brands. I prefer to shop locally. I prefer to find great independent clothing designers, such as those that can be found on Stars and Infinite Darkness, who are more often in line with my beliefs that the larger companies. My look is more unique because of this. Spending my money this way makes me happy because I feel like I am supporting a more diverse marketplace. I am the last person that you would expect to see wearing all the ‘latest’ fashion trends. Granted there are some things that currently can’t be purchased unbranded or lesser known because of functionality and quality, just like not every community can currently produce for all of its needs.

While helping out at the StartingBloc 2009 Institute for Social Innovation, the fellows and volunteers received a number of items. The one that caught my attention the most was from Terracycle; it was their Reusable Target Bag. Very cool concept- it is made out of multiple layers of old Target plastic bags that were pressed with heat. Should it rip in the future it can go back into their system and be fixed. Love the concept, but I would be less likely to use it because of the very visible and prominent branding. I did take the bag because I give away reusable bags that I collect over time to people who need them. I figured I would give it away.

Upcycled Target bag by Terracycle

Before I could give it away, one day it was the only bag in the car and I had to use it or take new plastic bags from the store. I felt self-conscious walking into the grocery store with a bright red and white bag on my arm, literally covered in targets. Walking up to the register the cashier made a comment about it being deer season, and we started talking. From there I was able to talk about Terracycle and the great things that they are doing with upcycled materials, the importance of buying local, why it is a good thing to reuse bags and rethink waste, et cetera. With what was initially something I dreaded, I found that I was able to initiate a conversation on a topic that I am passionate about and get more awareness out to someone because of the branding. My discomfort with the brand was greatly lessened by the more comfortable ease into an important conversation.

So while I will still support Adbusters, buy local, and stay as unbranded as possible, I appreciate the opportunity that that experience gave me. I have Terracycle to thank for that.

From this experience I take the lesson that if you are trying to get a message out, it helps to meet people part way and allow them to ask instead of preaching at them. This instance indicates to me that conversation is enabled when you are living lightly in a friendly manner. What do I mean by friendly? I mean acting in a way that allows for an opening for the questions to be asked. And what does that mean? Well, I think we need to really think about how we present ourselves and our opinions. If the way I present myself is off-putting, it makes those ideas more off-putting. Consider what this means for the expansion of going green, being sustainable and saving the environment.