SKAN TALK

To All The Kids Who Survivied the '30s-'70s (full article)

[This is a re-print of an essay that has circled the Internet several times over.  The author is unknown (but I'd sure like to talk to her!)].

[After reading the essay, click here for some thoughts on it].

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930s, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

Read On...

"To All The Kids Who Survivied the '30s-'70s"

Anyone seen the chain e-mail called:

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930s, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

If not...or for a refresher...click here.

Then read on...

Slipping into Something More Comfortable

When was the last time you had a conversation with a complete stranger?  I'm not talking about that person you met at a dinner party, business meeting or other social gathering; I'm talking about that guy in the cafe, that girl in the park, your mail carrier or even a homeless person begging for money.  Take the beggar, for instance.  How many times have we seen one on the street and despite their asking for money or help, we say "no thanks" or "not today" or "no change, sorry"?  Worse yet, we sometimes just keep on walking -- perhaps in the other direction -- saying nothing at all.  Sometimes, we even have trouble saying "hi" to that person in the elevator, on the running path or in line at the grocery store.

What drives us to disregard the presence of another person standing so close to us that they are breathing the same air?  What makes us so uncomfortable?  What are we afraid of?

Read on...

WHY?

Car is broken.  Drop it off at the mechanic and pick it up later.  Suits are dirty.  Drop them off at the cleaners and pick them up later.  Shoes need repair.  Drop them off at the shoemaker and pick them up later.  In by 9, Out by 5.  Any questions?

Is it that easy when it comes to our government or our health, for instance?  I voted for a candidate.  I’ll pick him up in 4 years.   I’ve got a bad heart so it’s off to the doctor or hospital.  Please call when it’s ready.

Sounds whacky, no?  Yet all too often, that’s what society does.  We take little accountability for politics and, worse yet, for ourselves.  Here’s a catchy slogan I’ve seen somewhere: “Politics is not a spectator sport.”  The same absolutely holds true for our health.  Yet why then do we spend less time on these things than we do fixing our cars, going to the cleaners, and slaving over dozens of other seemingly important tasks that have no bearing on the ultimate outcome of our planet, our community or our beings?

Soldiers in Service

I’m in a conundrum.  I was sent a chain e-mail from a friend recently, containing a link to The Gratitude Campaign (www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php).   I was about to forward the e-mail with the following message:

I trust that you all know how much against the war I am, though I don’t believe I’m qualified to question or judge the motivation of someone who chooses to become a soldier in an all-voluntary military.  The fact of the matter is that they’ve chosen to fight for something, whether it’s us, a cause or themselves.  It’s quite a path to choose and I find myself wanting to thank these people for their service.  Accordingly, if you’re so inclined to do the same, then you can choose to spread the message. 

Then I thought about it some more...

Today's Sustainability -- 2008

Global Warming.  Global Climate Change.  Carbon Emissions.  Carbon footprint.  Carbon offsets.  Recycle.  Downcycle.  Eco-Friendly.  Eco-Consumerism. Green.  Green Buildings.  Greenwashing.  Renewable energy.  Wind power.  Solar energy.  Nuclear energy.  CFLs, Hybrids, Bio-fuel, Bio-diesel, Ethanol, Hydrogen....

Dizzy yet?

Read on...