2012 Gone... Hello 2013!

Well that was fast eh!  2012 went whooshing by and dropped us right into the lap of 2013! 

So, welcome to 2013!

We survived 12-12-12... yeah for us!
We muddled through the hottest year ever... sad for us!
We see the world changing...some good, lots bad... sad for us!

But, with a renewed minor effort, 2013 might actually be the year the people take back their world, their governments, their lives!

There is so much we can do on many levels:

• help the environment
• buy local food
• shop local stores
• buoycot big box stores everywhere
• drive less~walk more~bike more
• be a chosey consumer-demand less packaging
• use your own bags-not those plastic ones
• turn off some lights
• turn down the thermostat in winter & up in the summer
• buy eco friendly alternative products
• help your community
• volunteer...for anything! Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Lung Assoc, Cancer groups, Crohns Colitis Foundation... whatever.  Give a little time back
• Challenge your politicians.  Don't just let them run your life-make them explain and be accountable.
• living in your community means supporting it-all of it.  Farmers, small business...whatever!
• help your neighbours
• give some time to a senior-cut their grass, shovel the laneway, walk their talk.  Heck, just sit down and talk to them.
• help your country
• again, challenge the government.  Make them all accountable.
• Participate-read what these folks are up too.  Don't assume they know what they are doing.....bad idea...
• Some other things you can do
• research whats happening in your community, city, province, state, country.  Be aware.
• read books---- lots of books.  The TV is NOT a great way to get your information.  Same goes for papers. 
• take care of yourself, your family, your friends.  Have them over, cook for them, hang out with them

This is by no means the complete list.  Its meant to get you thinking!  Thats what P'lovers is here for-to offer alternative products, choices and things to consider.

So, lets begin 2013 strong.  Take up the challenge, make change happen.

Fall....ugh....

Well, we're winding down the summer season both on the business side and on our personal side.  Been a good summer with lots of new customers and lots of loyal friends too!  For this we're thankful and we're looking forward to more exciting eco gift ideas and eco daily needs in store over the next year as well.

But also, its time to consider the next couple of months celebrations, events and considerations.

First, lets all do what we can to promote Movember.  A worthy cause to bring the spotlight onto men's cancer issues!  Men, if you can-grow out that mustache.  Ladies, feel free to join in.  Don't forget to take those wacky pictures and Twitter, Facebook or Pintrest them for all to see.

Also, in Movember is the important Rememberance Day.  A day when we MUST stop to consider what our vets did for us in WW1 and WW2, the Korean War and as peacekeepers around the world.  Without these brave men and women we'd be living a  much different world for sure.  As a side note P'lovers doesn't decorate for Christmas until AFTER Rememberance Day out of respect for our vets.  Its a small thing but an important thing.  There's no need to rush christmas just for financiall gain.  Be respectful please.

Then of course the big one does come.  The jolly fat man in a red suit day--- Christmas! A time to gather with friends, family and hey why not even strangers to remember that peace, joy and love matter more than anything else.  Sharing time, gifts, a meal is a great way to reconnect or create new connections during the holiday season. 

Along the way we're sure there will be cold blustery days, maybe (noooooo) snow and the change of the season to winter.  Get outside, talk the family and the dog for a walk.  Turn off the TV's and go outside! 

So, off to prep for the next 90 days!  Hope everyone has a safe and happy 90 days too.

The World We Have

Have been spending a lot of time and effort of late considering our world and how I interface with it and then what that outcome is from my efforts.

So that means I'm reading- LOTS!  And trying to find ideas, suggestions and leads that will help the search.  I recent read was by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh.  He is a Buddhist Monk, poet, scholar and human rights activist.  In his book titled "The World We Have" (Raincoast Publishing/Parallax Press 2008) the connection between environmentalism and spiritual practice is completed along with real suggestions and an action plan!  Heck, they'll even send you an email to help you if you register with Deer Park Monastery!

First off, I would like to suggest everyone-of any faith- read this book! Its not a tough read or a long read but covers many important topics that would help to make our world a better, greener, safer & happier place to live!

He starts out by pointing out what most folks seem to know instinctively- the 'bells of mindfulness are sounding'.  By that he means there are many changes happening around us: environmental such as ice caps melting, temperatures rising, oceans warming and rising, odd and dramatic weather changes almost daily all over the world.  Then there is the human aspect- the wars, the fighting and yet the people rising up demanding change at all levels for many common reasons!  These are exciting, dangerous, sad, maddening and challenging times for sure.

The book moves on to help those who have some Buddhist understanding, to make the connection between the 5 Mindfulness Trainings and the environment:
1. Being aware of the suffering being caused by the destruction of life- ALL LIFE on our planet.
2. Being aware of the suffering being caused by the exploitation of humanity and the earth.
3. Being aware of the suffering being caused by the sexual misconduct as it relates to the treatment of woman in many 3rd world and 1st world countries.
4. Being aware of the suffering being caused by the use of unmindful speech and inability to listen to others.
5. Being aware of the suffering being caused by the unmindful consumption in relation to food and the food chain before we eat it.

As I read the book, and as you read the book, you will discover that we can and should make some effort to remain mindful of all the actions we undertake and our intentions as we strike out to perform actions.  It reminded me that small unplanned, un-thought out activities can have devastating results.  And that planned wilfully bad intentions can also cause devastating results.

The final pages come loaded with an 'Earth Peace Treaty Commitment" pledge.  It provides you with 60 different ways to make change mindfully and intentionally that will have a positive impact on our world- environmentally and socially!  You sign it and you can then have the Deer Park Monastery send you reminders by email to help you stay on the path of change and positive mindfulness!

So, with that, I'm off to use the library today and then make a nice vegetable dinner served on plates made in Canada using reusable and washable cloth napkins and a local organic wine to wash it down with.  Doing it all while considering who in our community we've helped today, how we helped them and what we can do better tomorrow.

Namaste.