Beyond Earth Day

Posted in Life

There is a great need, and growing support, for the introduction of new values in our society — where bigger is not necessarily better — where slower can be faster — and where less can be more.

— Gaylord Nelson, principal founder of Earth Day and author of Beyond Earth Day: Fulfilling the Promise

For over 40 years, Earth Day has inspired us to show our commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.  There are simple things we can do, today and everyday, to help protect our planet and be part of the solution. Ready to take part in Earth Day 2011? What do you plan to do today and everyday to help protect our planet? If you need some green inspiration, check out Earth Day Network’s Billion Acts of Green website.

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Happiness is Contagious

Posted in Happiness

Happiness isn’t something ready made. It comes from our own actions.

— Dalai Lama

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It’s All About Your Attitude

Posted in Life

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.

— Kahlil Gibran, poet and artist, author of The Prophet

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Words to live by from Walter Breuning

Posted in Life

This morning I read a headline that Walter Breuning, the worlds oldest man, had passed away yesterday at age 114. It reminded me of this video that I saw last year where he talks about his life, spanning 3 centuries, and some of the lessons he had learned. Here are two of my favorite, so simple and straightforward:

Be good to everybody…the more you do for other people the better you are going to help yourself.

and

Every day is a good day, that’s what you should think about, everyday is a good day and make it that way.

Rest in peace, Walter Breuning.

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Between A Rock and A Hard Place

Posted in Life

There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn; whatever steps we take, they’re necessary to reach the places we’ve chosen to go.

— Richard David Bach, American writer

I stumbled upon this quote the other day and it reminded me of the movie 127 Hours, which we watched recently. For those who haven’t seen it, 127 Hours tells the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston (played by James Franco) who became trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone in Utah and *spoiler alert* courageously amputated his own arm in order to survive. Although the realistic amputation scene is a bit difficult to watch, the story itself is an inspiring look at the strength of the human spirit. The incident is also documented in Ralston’s autobiography Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

Although I had trouble at times connecting with the character and the choices he made that led him to that rock, there is a scene towards the end of the movie where Ralston, dehydrated and delirious after a few days of trying to lift and break the boulder, says something that got me thinking:

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You Have the Power to Be Happy Today

Posted in Happiness

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.

— Groucho Marx, comedian and film star

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If Today Were the Last Day of My Life

Posted in Life

Today I read a news headline that the first authorized Steve Jobs biography will be published in early 2012.  It reminded me of the famous Stanford commencement address he gave in 2005.  There are many inspirational quotes in this speech but the one that has stuck with me, since I first heard it several years ago, is this one:

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The Businessman and the Fisherman

Posted in Success

An American businessman took a vacation to a small coastal Mexican village on doctor’s orders. Unable to sleep after an urgent phone call from the office the first morning, he walked out to the pier to clear his head. A small boat with just one fisherman had docked, and inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

“How long did it take you to catch them?” the American asked.

“Only a little while,” the Mexican replied in surprisingly good English.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked.

“I have enough to support my family and give a few to friends,” the Mexican said as he unloaded them into a basket.

“But…What do you do with the rest of your time?”

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This is to Have Succeeded

Posted in Success

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to learn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a little bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

Often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, it is an adaptation of a poem published in 1905 by Bessie Stanley. No version of it has been found in Emerson’s writings.

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In a Giving Mood? Donate Your Things. Change Lives!

Posted in Philanthropy

With a pending move ahead of us, we are forced to take stock of everything in our apartment. Since we are downsizing, we know we have to get rid of some stuff, but its also great motivation to get rid of the stuff we don’t use or need. We’ve used online classifieds to sell of some items, but as we get closer to our move-out date, we’ve been wondering what we’ll do with the stuff we can’t… until we discovered The Giving Effect. Although a curbside drop-off at the local donation center is pretty convenient, using The Giving Effect gives the donor more of a choice regarding where the items go and they can see the impact of their donations. At the same time, its an opportunity to help local and national non-profits and civic-minded people that are struggling to get basic items to people in their communities. So, are you in a giving mood?

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