This week, despite the freezing temperatures and white fluffy snow, our step is to go outside! That’s right, outside; where the snow is (at least where I live!) and the wind and everything.
Why? Well, quite simply because it is beautiful and it is good for you. The fresh air is good for you and the cold air will help wake you up out of the demi-hibernation mode that just about every living thing goes into during the winter months.
The sunlight, despite the fact that the rays are not direct enough to cause a Vitamin D reaction in your skin, will make you feel better immediately. The crisp air will open your airways and fill your blood with fresh oxygen.
Taking this time for yourself will not only make you feel better, but it will help you to appreciate the world around you better. It will also help stave off cabin fever, which occurs in notoriously high amount during cold and miserable weather.
The time you spend outside doesn’t even have to be long. Five to ten minutes is what I would recommend as the minimum, longer is even better as long as you are dressed for the weather. Recommended time to stay out, in my opinion, is around half an hour. Give your lungs and body a chance to acclimate to the weather outside a bit and get comfortable. Reap the benefits of fresh and beautiful air.
No matter what the season is, taking time to get outside and enjoy the air and environment around you is beneficial. It gets you up and moving, you will get some fresh air, and you become more aware of your surroundings.
So take a few minutes to step outside and enjoy the world around you. Get outside!
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Showing posts with label Wednesday's small step. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wednesday's small step. Show all posts
Wednesday's Small Steps: Weekly 'Earth Hours'
Everybody heard of Earth Hour? It’s the last Saturday in March where the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) organizes and sets up a time (8:30pm) where everybody who wants to participate turns off their lights for one hour.
Seems pointless, right? This is one example of small changes adding up to big effects. The first year it ran, it was in Sydney, Australia and approximately 2.2 million residents turned off all non-essential lights. Fast forward to March of 2010, and over 120 different countries participated with a minimum of 100 million people having participated. 90 million of them were in the US alone. Large and well-known structures are taking place in turning out their lights, including Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera house to name a few.
If you’re still sitting there thinking it’s only one hour, once a year, take the next step. Pledge to participate in a weekly ‘Earth Hour’ and turn out the lights for one hour once a week. Give yourself some family time or alone time, and enjoy the natural light of candles or sunlight. Go for a walk, play some board games, read a book, or tell scary stories.
Each week set aside one hour where you will turn off all electronics and focus on real life. Turn off the cell phone, log off the computer, and unplug the television. Spend time with your family, friends, or with yourself. Let your mind flow where it wants to flow without restricting it. Allow yourself to try new things and to do things outside of your routine. Enjoy the freedom.
Small steps will save the world. All it takes is one step in the right direction. Enjoy your time, save energy, just once a week.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Seems pointless, right? This is one example of small changes adding up to big effects. The first year it ran, it was in Sydney, Australia and approximately 2.2 million residents turned off all non-essential lights. Fast forward to March of 2010, and over 120 different countries participated with a minimum of 100 million people having participated. 90 million of them were in the US alone. Large and well-known structures are taking place in turning out their lights, including Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera house to name a few.
If you’re still sitting there thinking it’s only one hour, once a year, take the next step. Pledge to participate in a weekly ‘Earth Hour’ and turn out the lights for one hour once a week. Give yourself some family time or alone time, and enjoy the natural light of candles or sunlight. Go for a walk, play some board games, read a book, or tell scary stories.
Each week set aside one hour where you will turn off all electronics and focus on real life. Turn off the cell phone, log off the computer, and unplug the television. Spend time with your family, friends, or with yourself. Let your mind flow where it wants to flow without restricting it. Allow yourself to try new things and to do things outside of your routine. Enjoy the freedom.
Small steps will save the world. All it takes is one step in the right direction. Enjoy your time, save energy, just once a week.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's Small Step: Get your hands dirty!
Take a relaxing step back and let your hands get dirty. Play in mud. Don't run from germs, embrace them!
Stop worrying that germs are going to attack you and devour your immune system! It's not going to happen! So put down that bottle of hand sanitizer, rub some coconut oil (or whichever moisturizer you prefer) on your hands, and do something fun!
When you spend your time constantly worrying about how sanitized a surface is before you touch, or even after you touch it, you are wasting valuable brain space. Give it a wipe with a damp cloth if there is some debris and it will be clean enough. There are so many more things you can do if you relax your fears about bacteria.
Alcohol based sanitizers kill germs, sure... but they kill the beneficial bacteria just as often as the malignant bacteria. The down side? Malignant bacteria grows back faster. Then your body will have no helpful bacteria to assist in fighting off the bad bacteria, and you are more likely to get sicker than you would have otherwise.
So help your immune system, make your body stronger, and stop compulsively cleaning your hands and wiping your surfaces. You won't get sick from that, you'll get sick from someone coughing on you.
Instead of worrying about sanitation, worry about cleanliness. Think about keeping your things organized and tidy, and they won't have much chance to get dirty. Dust them periodically if they are items that stay in one place. Use your extra time to think about what you'd like to do with your life, come up with a plan or idea for sometihng that is important to you.
Enjoy the relaxing feeling of not stressing about germs. Germs are good for you, they make your body do it's job. So let it do what it was made to do, and relax. Your body will appreciate it.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Stop worrying that germs are going to attack you and devour your immune system! It's not going to happen! So put down that bottle of hand sanitizer, rub some coconut oil (or whichever moisturizer you prefer) on your hands, and do something fun!
When you spend your time constantly worrying about how sanitized a surface is before you touch, or even after you touch it, you are wasting valuable brain space. Give it a wipe with a damp cloth if there is some debris and it will be clean enough. There are so many more things you can do if you relax your fears about bacteria.
Alcohol based sanitizers kill germs, sure... but they kill the beneficial bacteria just as often as the malignant bacteria. The down side? Malignant bacteria grows back faster. Then your body will have no helpful bacteria to assist in fighting off the bad bacteria, and you are more likely to get sicker than you would have otherwise.
So help your immune system, make your body stronger, and stop compulsively cleaning your hands and wiping your surfaces. You won't get sick from that, you'll get sick from someone coughing on you.
Instead of worrying about sanitation, worry about cleanliness. Think about keeping your things organized and tidy, and they won't have much chance to get dirty. Dust them periodically if they are items that stay in one place. Use your extra time to think about what you'd like to do with your life, come up with a plan or idea for sometihng that is important to you.
Enjoy the relaxing feeling of not stressing about germs. Germs are good for you, they make your body do it's job. So let it do what it was made to do, and relax. Your body will appreciate it.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's small step: Find your passion
Finding your passion can be both simple and extremely complex. But making the first move towards finding what your true passion is can be very simple and very liberating.
In the spirit of keeping things simple, I'm going to suggest one simple task for you this week to make that first move. I hope that you will try this task and let me know how it works for you so that I can continue to help you work towards the passionate life you deserve.
This week's simple step is to try something new with even just five minutes of your spare time. Look up something that you've always been at least a little bit interested in. Go outside and take a short walk just to enjoy the weather or scenery. Anything that you can imagine that would bring you some joy, just get up and devote yourself to it for five minutes.
Set a timer, if you want to. But you may find yourself ignoring the timer just to continue experiencing this simple pleasure.
And that's okay.
Let me know what you do, I look forward to hearing it.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
In the spirit of keeping things simple, I'm going to suggest one simple task for you this week to make that first move. I hope that you will try this task and let me know how it works for you so that I can continue to help you work towards the passionate life you deserve.
This week's simple step is to try something new with even just five minutes of your spare time. Look up something that you've always been at least a little bit interested in. Go outside and take a short walk just to enjoy the weather or scenery. Anything that you can imagine that would bring you some joy, just get up and devote yourself to it for five minutes.
Set a timer, if you want to. But you may find yourself ignoring the timer just to continue experiencing this simple pleasure.
And that's okay.
Let me know what you do, I look forward to hearing it.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's Small Step: Turn the lights out!
Small steps are small steps.
Maybe you already turn the lights out when you're not in a room, or maybe you don't. Either way, even if you use CFLs or halogens, you should try to avoid using electricity or energy to power something that's not in use.
I admit, even I leave lights on sometimes when I'm not in the room, and honestly my excuse is weak. I don't like the dark, so I'll leave the hallway light on if I'm home alone or just with my daughter. It makes me feel safer, even though it really doesn't change how safe I am.
But I try to ensure that I have the least amount of lights on as possible.
Also, due to my mood disorder, I have a hard time staying awake in the morning when there's no lights on. Which may be a slightly more realistic excuse, but it's still an excuse.
What about when you're watching a movie? Do you leave the lights on, or do you let the TV bask you in the special effects and acting wonder (or horror) that is in front of you?
What are your views on having lights on when you're not in the room?
Do you give yourself excuses sometimes, like I do? Or do you just suck it up and turn it out anyways?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sidenote: great minds think alike! check out liverenewed.com 's article on shutting out your lights as well! just found it today. simple steps and small drops make big staircases conquered and buckets overflow. peace and love
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Maybe you already turn the lights out when you're not in a room, or maybe you don't. Either way, even if you use CFLs or halogens, you should try to avoid using electricity or energy to power something that's not in use.
I admit, even I leave lights on sometimes when I'm not in the room, and honestly my excuse is weak. I don't like the dark, so I'll leave the hallway light on if I'm home alone or just with my daughter. It makes me feel safer, even though it really doesn't change how safe I am.
But I try to ensure that I have the least amount of lights on as possible.
Also, due to my mood disorder, I have a hard time staying awake in the morning when there's no lights on. Which may be a slightly more realistic excuse, but it's still an excuse.
What about when you're watching a movie? Do you leave the lights on, or do you let the TV bask you in the special effects and acting wonder (or horror) that is in front of you?
What are your views on having lights on when you're not in the room?
Do you give yourself excuses sometimes, like I do? Or do you just suck it up and turn it out anyways?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sidenote: great minds think alike! check out liverenewed.com 's article on shutting out your lights as well! just found it today. simple steps and small drops make big staircases conquered and buckets overflow. peace and love
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's Small Step: Smile at strangers
When you feel sad, or lonely, doesn't it always pick you up when you see someone smiles at you? It could be the guy sweeping the sidewalk downtown, or the friendly cashier at the coffee shop. Or your child when you wake them up in the mornig. But it always makes you feel that little bit better.
Can't you be that for somebody? Pay it forward, and share the happiness you feel.
It will feel so good. And it doesn't take any extra effort. Just throw a smile on your face, and watch people light up when they pass you.
Love is all you need. Love can change the world. One smile at a time.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's Small Step: Just be write about it!
Today we're going to take a step in a slightly different direction. Slightly.
This week's small step is: Write it down!
Does that seem odd? It shouldn't. Writing things down is a very good way to remind yourself of anything.
See a sale? Write it down.
Find a recipe? Write it down.
Overhear something that interests you? Write it down.
Catching on? It's a very good way to remind yourself and keep note of things that you deem important.
Personally, I keep 2 notebooks on me at pretty much all times.
One for creative writing, any ideas come to mind, they go in there.
Second for life writing. So recipes I find that I like, things I think of that relate to real life and not imagination, ideas for what to write here. You get the picture.
Obviously, this didn't start so big. It started with a tiny little spiral bound notebook with the binding along the top. I still have that notebook, I keep track of prices in the grocery stores with it.
So this week, try keeping a small notebook with you, with a pen or pencil.
And write down anything that comes to mind, any idea you might have. Because trusting yourself to remember it, no matter how good your memory actually is, it not a safe bet. Things happen, and urgent needs come up, and ideas just fall by the wayside. Be safe, be cautious, just write it down.
You won't regret it.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
This week's small step is: Write it down!
Does that seem odd? It shouldn't. Writing things down is a very good way to remind yourself of anything.
See a sale? Write it down.
Find a recipe? Write it down.
Overhear something that interests you? Write it down.
Catching on? It's a very good way to remind yourself and keep note of things that you deem important.
Personally, I keep 2 notebooks on me at pretty much all times.
One for creative writing, any ideas come to mind, they go in there.
Second for life writing. So recipes I find that I like, things I think of that relate to real life and not imagination, ideas for what to write here. You get the picture.
Obviously, this didn't start so big. It started with a tiny little spiral bound notebook with the binding along the top. I still have that notebook, I keep track of prices in the grocery stores with it.
So this week, try keeping a small notebook with you, with a pen or pencil.
And write down anything that comes to mind, any idea you might have. Because trusting yourself to remember it, no matter how good your memory actually is, it not a safe bet. Things happen, and urgent needs come up, and ideas just fall by the wayside. Be safe, be cautious, just write it down.
You won't regret it.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's Small Steps: Buy one thing per grocery trip organic or local
One small step towards sustainability, sometimes they are very small.
This week, our small step is:
When you go to the grocery store, buy one thing that is either local or organic instead of the regular one you usually get. That doesn't mean just to grab something that is organic/local that you normally wouldn't get. It means to replace something that you buy regularly with an organic or local counterpart.
This week, after I had already bought my butter, I found organic butter. Next time I need some, I'm getting that. I also have replaced regular peanut butter with the organic version (actually tastes better!) and strawberry jam, until I learn to make my own, has been replaced with organic as well. Just this past shopping trip, I got organic yogurt, since I haven't gotten around to making my own (I only just got a thermometer, throw me a bone!)
Give it a try, help your local agriculture and economy, and improve your health too!
Let me know what you try to replace, and keep me posted. Maybe you'll find something that I don't know of yet, or maybe you can learn from the other comments!
Health and vitality,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
This week, our small step is:
When you go to the grocery store, buy one thing that is either local or organic instead of the regular one you usually get. That doesn't mean just to grab something that is organic/local that you normally wouldn't get. It means to replace something that you buy regularly with an organic or local counterpart.
This week, after I had already bought my butter, I found organic butter. Next time I need some, I'm getting that. I also have replaced regular peanut butter with the organic version (actually tastes better!) and strawberry jam, until I learn to make my own, has been replaced with organic as well. Just this past shopping trip, I got organic yogurt, since I haven't gotten around to making my own (I only just got a thermometer, throw me a bone!)
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| My jam-y goodness! So tasty |
Give it a try, help your local agriculture and economy, and improve your health too!
Let me know what you try to replace, and keep me posted. Maybe you'll find something that I don't know of yet, or maybe you can learn from the other comments!
Health and vitality,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's small step: Recipe sharing
Making your own food, as opposed to eating take-out, is not only better for your health, and your wallet. It's also better for the environment. But sometimes, you need something different. Checking recipe books can be helpful, but if you're just starting out, or you're not sure what to try next, ask a friend!
By asking a person, not only are you opening and improving that relationship, but you are also talking to a real person who has made whatever dish they're telling you about. You'll have someone you can ask questions to, or inquire about alternative ingredients. Portion sizes and what order to cook/prepare everything in.
So once a week, call up someone you have been meaning to get ahold of, and ask them what recipe they'd like to share. And don't make it a one-way street, offer to share your recipes as well.
Creating a network of people you can count on for advice, ideas, suggestions, is always a great way to lessen your footprint.
Friends make life more fun, as well.
So pick up that phone, and call.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
By asking a person, not only are you opening and improving that relationship, but you are also talking to a real person who has made whatever dish they're telling you about. You'll have someone you can ask questions to, or inquire about alternative ingredients. Portion sizes and what order to cook/prepare everything in.
So once a week, call up someone you have been meaning to get ahold of, and ask them what recipe they'd like to share. And don't make it a one-way street, offer to share your recipes as well.
Creating a network of people you can count on for advice, ideas, suggestions, is always a great way to lessen your footprint.
Friends make life more fun, as well.
So pick up that phone, and call.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's small step: New pastimes
Passing the time, beating boredom, is one of the easiest ways to fall into a trap. A trap where you feel like all you can do is sit on the couch, watch garbage TV, and eat junk food. You fall into the cycle, because you're tired, because you're lazy, but you're also bored.
One thing I've found, boredom can be beaten with minimal effort. Television, computer, or any type of technology is, is not needed for breaking through inertia. All you need to do is think a little bit outside of the box. Remember things that you liked doing when you were younger.
Me, personally, I love being artsy, being creative, and spending time outside. So my 'new' pastimes include knitting (right now, working on a curly scarf kind of like this one) or crocheting (which I'm not so good at, haha). I also enjoy thinking of new ways to use things that I have around the house. Such as a ripped pillowcase. Which I still haven't actually decided what I'm doing with yet, but I'm working on it.
And, on my weekends, when I have all day to do (pretty much) whatever I want, I love to do this. With my closest beach a 10 minute drive away, it's a great way to spend the day, and my daughter loves to swim. The water may not be the cleanest (we tend to get no-swim advisories every other week) but that's what showers were made for. And soap. So we go anyways. Still haven't caught E.coli, so I think we're good.
I also read. Fantasy, murder mystery, romance, non-fiction, anything you put in front of me, I'll read it.
What kinds of things do you do to disconnect yourself from technology, and from boredom, when the TV is calling your name?
Do you try to change it up, and be creative, or do you have tried and true pastimes that have stayed through the years?
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
One thing I've found, boredom can be beaten with minimal effort. Television, computer, or any type of technology is, is not needed for breaking through inertia. All you need to do is think a little bit outside of the box. Remember things that you liked doing when you were younger.
Me, personally, I love being artsy, being creative, and spending time outside. So my 'new' pastimes include knitting (right now, working on a curly scarf kind of like this one) or crocheting (which I'm not so good at, haha). I also enjoy thinking of new ways to use things that I have around the house. Such as a ripped pillowcase. Which I still haven't actually decided what I'm doing with yet, but I'm working on it.
And, on my weekends, when I have all day to do (pretty much) whatever I want, I love to do this. With my closest beach a 10 minute drive away, it's a great way to spend the day, and my daughter loves to swim. The water may not be the cleanest (we tend to get no-swim advisories every other week) but that's what showers were made for. And soap. So we go anyways. Still haven't caught E.coli, so I think we're good.
I also read. Fantasy, murder mystery, romance, non-fiction, anything you put in front of me, I'll read it.
What kinds of things do you do to disconnect yourself from technology, and from boredom, when the TV is calling your name?
Do you try to change it up, and be creative, or do you have tried and true pastimes that have stayed through the years?
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| I love Microsoft Paint! My first handmade blog photo :) |
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Wednesday's small steps: Online petitions
I love taking small steps, and some easy ones are signing petitions. Not only is it one more name for the cause you sign, it also helps to reassure you that you aren't the only one who wants these things.
My favourite petition sites are:
Care2
Credo Action
Avaaz
So far that's it. Every now and then they send me e-mail notices of new petitions, and you can do searches for whatever subject you'd like to sign on.
Small steps, can have big effects.
Here are the petitions I've signed so far today:
Stop CNN from parroting FOX News' propaganda
Stop stoning, save Sakineh!
Protect Against New Drilling
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
My favourite petition sites are:
Care2
Credo Action
Avaaz
So far that's it. Every now and then they send me e-mail notices of new petitions, and you can do searches for whatever subject you'd like to sign on.
Small steps, can have big effects.
Here are the petitions I've signed so far today:
Stop CNN from parroting FOX News' propaganda
Stop stoning, save Sakineh!
Protect Against New Drilling
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
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