Everything We Do Makes A Difference

It's not uncommon to think that as one individual, what we do everyday, the choices we make, the words we say do not make a difference in anyone else's life. Well that's not true. Want to test this theory? Smile at someone next time for no reason at all. Just smile at a stranger. Don't feel comfortable doing that? Then say thank you. Say thank you to the clerk who helps you at the store, say thank you to the person who answers the phone when you have a question. Say thank you to the waitperson the next time you eat out, just say thank you to anyone who provides a service to you in your everyday life. They're all people too - just like you and me. Say thank you and see what a difference it makes in someone else's life and see just how powerful that is. See what kind of energy flow you ignite by saying two little words - Thank You.

Okay now here's the real test.

The planet is overly stressed and one of the most stressed resources is potable - or drinkable water. Think about what you can do everyday to make a difference for the planet. Think about what you can do to say thank you to the planet, to mother earth. Having a tough time? Then go to this link and find out when this program is playing in your area or order the DVD.

http://www.runningdry.org/americansouthwest/america.html

I was born and raised in Southern California but now live in the Chicago area. I arrived here almost two decades ago after leaving the military. I noticed the differences between the regional philosophies almost immediately, especially with regards to water consumption. During my school years the idea of water conservation was heavily promoted. I turn the water off while I brush my teeth and I don't let the water run in the kitchen at work like a number of folks do. I know there are limits to this resource having grown up with droughts.

Often when I'd point out these habits to folks they'd laugh at me and point to the Great Lakes as if they were an endless source of water. I countered with the argument that if overnight hundreds, even thousands of bottlers setup shop around the lakes and produced around the clock then the Great Lakes wouldn't be so great anymore. I was told that would never happen. Well, that particular scenario didn't but something else did and something else threatens to happen. More and more municipalities are switching over to lake water and guess what? States from other regions are asking to tap into the Great Lakes to solve their own water shortage problems. The lakes have lowered due to this and the fact that rainfall has fallen short over the years. That day that so many said would never come is bitting us in the back side.

As serious as I know this problem is I started to succumb to some of the same complacency that many others do. I like the conveinence of bottled water and like to keep several cases around for going to the gym and long road trips. I rationalized that since I recycle the empty bottles, the impact is at least mitigated to some extent and perhaps it is. BUT, cost aside, I'm using less bottled water and drinking more from the filter I put on my kitchen sink's faucet. Ironically, I've had a filter on the faucet for years and I've even put one on the faucet at work but I still kept lots of bottled water around just in case. I still have some bottled water but have reduced it significantly. This is my way of saying thank you to the planet and mother earth.

Think what you do doesn't matter? Well it does and just think how important you are when you do the right thing - when you say thank you to someone or the planet for helping you get through your day. Want to be even more impressive? Followup with an email or a hand-written note. Now, talk about a resource that is in peril! The hand-written note is something to be cherished these days as it is much more of a rarity. I'm hoping that this note I've written today will inspire everyone who reads it to say thank you and actually pick up a pen and write. Have a glass of tap filtered water while you're at it.