12 Unconventional Tips to Make The World a Better Place
October 7, 2007 | In Easy Ways To Help |
There are lots of lists of way to make a difference available. Instead of rehashing the same old ideas, I wanted to provide a list of unconventional ways you could make a difference. Some you may have heard before, but I’ve given them a new spin.
Photo by laffy4k
Organic Produce and the Farmers Market:
Click here to find a farmers market near you (US Only)
1. Try a new recipe, but use only local or organic produce. Whether from a Farmers Market, or purchased at the grocery store, challenge yourself to try something new while also promoting sustainable living.
2. Make your food pull double duty. Creating centerpieces out of fruit is a good start; take it farther and use gourds, squashes, whole nuts in their shells and pomegranates. When the centerpiece is no longer needed, see tip number 1.
3. Plan a shopping trip with friends. But instead of hitting the shopping center, see how many Farmer’s Markets or Produce Stands you can visit.
Parties:
4. Don’t use paper or plastic cups at a party. Instead of giving party favors, or buying (or even making) those charms that go around the stems of glasses, give fun and funky drinking glasses instead. Guests get to take them when they leave, and since everyone’s can be different, there won’t be any mix up as to who’s is who’s.
5. Use recycled napkins, or better yet, cloth ones. Which you use will depend on your budget and your menu. Cloth napkins can be used all evening and tossed in the laundry instead of the garbage. And if you think that recycled napkins are less sturdy, remember that at parties guests don’t use paper napkins that throughly anyway - will they even notice?
Cheer People Up:
6. Hug often. Either friends, family, or even strangers if you dare! (I would ask first.) Hugging feels good to us and the one receiving, while brightening everyone’s day.
7. Smile. Not because it’s merely polite, but because you are giving a gift - the gift of a little bit of joy.
8. Tell a good joke. If you aren’t good at remembering jokes, then try one liners. Here’s one for when you need to leave for a few minutes: “If I’m not back in five minutes - wait longer.” (Thanks to my friend Jake for that one!)
9. Send an e-mail, letter, postcard, or call someone who doesn’t expect it. Even if they don’t get back to you, you can be sure that the person on the other end took some notice. Don’t you get a thrill of surprise when you receive a personal note from someone you haven’t heard from in awhile or didn’t think would even remember you?
Improve Your Relationship:
10. Spend more time snuggling in bed in the morning. This serves two functions, really. First, you get more sleep and are therefore more likely to be in a good mood, and second, you’ll conserve water with a shorter shower.
11. Have at least one dinner a week by candlelight. Conserve energy while increasing connection.
12. Kiss more often. Kissing not only feels good, it can show your support when you can’t find the right words.
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Links to related topics: Connecting With Others, Easy Ways To Help, Farmer's Market, Organic Produce, Quick Tips, Recycling, Self Expression
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