Auld lang syne
photo credit to thebreakingtime.typepad.com
Auld Lang Syne is on my mind today, not only because it’s what is traditionally sung at midnight, but because of what it means. Auld Lang Syne is sung at this time because it symbolizes endings and new beginnings. The noise and bustle of the holidays is over and we are entering a hopeful new year. As you look back over the previous year and prepare to ring in the new, think about how you can make your year, your community, and your world better.
You can start by composting live Christmas trees and wreaths instead of sending them to the landfill. Many cities offer this service, so check with your waste collector or contact City Hall to find out more. There’s even a National Christmas Tree Association that has more information.
The most important thing for you to know going into the new year is that you are empowered - your actions matter, what you do makes a difference! So do something. Barry Lopez said, “One of the great dreams of man must be to find some place between the extremes of nature and civilization where it is possible to live without regret.” Howard Zinn said, “We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” Carry this idea into the new year with you!
1. Live as locally as possible and live smaller. Get to know what is available from your community and utilize those resources.
2. Start recycling and composting if you don’t already - break that cradle to grave, ‘disposable’ mentality and look for ways to reuse things.
3. Grow something edible, even if it’s in a pot. If you have room, plant a tree (properly!), preferably one with edible fruits or one that provides food and/or habitat for local wildlife. It should be native or adapted to your area.
4. Eat one vegetarian meal a day, vegan if possible. This is a healthier option for you and food animals are a tremendous tax on our resources and environment. Think you can’t? Sure you can! Care2 has some great recipes.
5. Consider those less fortunate than you, for there always are those who are less fortunate. Play a game to donate rice and click every day at The Hunger Site and Care2.
6. Seek out like-minded people. Care2 (link just above) and The Compact link are good places to start.
7. Learn. One of the best gifts you can give yourself that also benefits those around you is knowledge. Don’t be one of the ’sheeple.’ Take the time to learn more than you know right now and be more than you are right now. The world is so much bigger and there is so much more going on than we can see when we operate in our limited piece of it. Take a step outside of your little world and look around. This is the first step toward thinking in the way that is going to become absolutely necessary in the near future.
Well, it’s almost that time, friends. Reward yourself for a year of living green and toast link the new year with a glass link or two of organic or biodynamic bubbly link (bonus points if it’s locally made). Here’s hoping for a year without regret, between the extremes, and full of small actions. Cheers! Should auld acquaintance be forgot…
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