Protect Your Child, Your Wallet, and Your World with One Spin of the Dial

When I was pregnant with my first child, a colleague gave me a great piece of advice about labor: “Remember that you only have one contraction at a time.” I’ve since discovered that this advice has broad applications; I often remind myself of it when I become overwhelmed with parenting or fighting global warming. The end results I want in both arenas are really the culmination of many small actions, just as the birth of my daughter was the result of many (many!) contractions.

Global warming sounds so big (ginormous, as my youngest would say) that it is easy to feel overwhelmed or inconsequential. However, we can all make small changes, many of which benefit us directly. Collectively we can make a positive difference for the environment. As I remind my kids when we’re faced with a messy room, many hands make light work. None of us has to assume the mantle of responsibility for the entire world but we can all help to clean up the mess! Read more

Celebrate Every Day

I love the stories of words. The fact that the etymology of the word holiday comes from the Old English halig dæg or holy day makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. (I just pegged myself as a word geek, didn’t I?) I believe holidays should be sacred times, occasions for people to come together and celebrate.

But sometimes the craziness around a holiday can overshadow its intended message. The examples that come most quickly to my mind are Valentine’s Day, Earth Day, and Veterans Day. The cacophony that surrounds Valentine’s Day is enough to drown out the message, “Tell the special people in your life that you love and appreciate them,” while Earth Day often involves a flurry of advertising for so-called green products rather than acknowledgement of the unique and wonderful nature of our planet. Veterans Day includes parades and brass bands while the idea that those who have given their all for our country should be honored stands shyly on the sidelines. Read more