Green for Beginners, Phase Four

Green for Beginners Phase 4
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
I would not say that I am a “Christian.” (Although I was baptized and raised Catholic-ish.) And I do not believe that the any faith has the trademark on what is commonly called tithing. But it was not until I joined an inter-denominational church, [ www.bohdispiritualcenter.org ]that I really embraced tithing for myself. I willingly give 10% of my income to where I am spiritually fed. And I also willingly give my time and talents to those people, animals or causes that have a need where I can help.
Of course, I cannot always get to church to get “fed” and I cannot say yes to every cause or friend who needs my help. This is where the wisdom of age comes in.
This summer, I was inspired by so many people. They moved me by their spirit and heart on projects such as community gardens, books they wrote, people they’ve helped. Many times I just wrote out a full check for my 10%, or a portion of it, and divvied up the rest to other organizations that inspired me. I also put aside time to shine light on causes or organizations that may have needed some publicity. I always blog for green. And I’ll always donate my time and services to my personal friends’ endeavors.
Why am I telling you this when this article is about being green? Because that is your next step: Phase 4 out of 5 of being green. I’m asking you to give to what moves you. Maybe you don’t have to donate your money. Maybe you don’t actually have to plant a tree or clean a beach. Maybe you just have to take time to walk in a forest preserve or along a beach? I know that the time, or money, or attention that you put into your own personal green journey will make you happier and give you energy and pride and countless other gifts. I believe this because I feel blessed when I do these things. Your efforts, whether they be monetary or seemingly inconsequential, will make you a better person and that alone will open up your heart to knowing when and where what you should personally give to being green.

To existential for you?
Here is are some things that you could donate your time or talent or treasure to:
Go to the Lincoln Park or Brookfield Zoo. Think about what a wonderful planet we have and donate to a specific endangered animal species that you see and love and that needs your funding.
Or join the World Wildlife Federation. They send you a great magazine and have great Green Gifts for you to send that actually help endangered species. http://www.worldwildlife.org

Oceans Conservancy is a great organization to join too! http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=abt_aboutus

If you want to help monthly with beach clean-up in Montrose Harbor, email Leslie at: cakile@att.net

Outings, petitions, environmental laws being passed and more: http://www.sierraclub.org Join the Sierra Club.

Write a blog or email about a cause that moved you to action.
Join a green group such as Green group in your neighborhood or a business one like Sustainable Hub http://www.foresightdesign.org http://www.foresightdesign.org/blog

Stuff envelopes for a green group or read an article in Mindful Metropolis and email the writer to tell him or her that you liked it. GREEN Groups and people need some lovin!


Here are the 5 Phases of Green for Beginners.
• Phase One: Let the Idea of being green blossom and get rid of the mind chatter of why you would or would not be green.
• Phase Two: Take Action in your own home and your work place.
• Phase Three: Learn what is interesting to you about being green.
• Phase Four: Join a website or cause that you are interested in and learn and contribute your time, talents or dollars.
• Phase Five: Become a Leader in your own household or workplace or neighborhood.

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Green for Beginners, Phase Three

If you have read Phase 1 & 2 of Green for Beginners, you’ll discover that the conservation of Water is of great interest to me.
This is why:
• Around the world, 1.2 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water.
• Every year, over 2 million people, mostly young children, die from preventable diarrhea contracted from drinking unsafe water.
• Every day, people suffer and die because they cannot access clean, safe water.*
And did you know that, although vast, the Great Lakes are vulnerable to the removal of water at rates faster than can be naturally replenished. 33 million people drink Great Lakes water daily, but no current law assures the long-term supply of this vital resource.*
Through my own personal green journey, I have learned that we have a problem. Here, in Chicago. Around the world. And in my heart, I feel deeply for anyone who does not have fresh drinking water.
This revelation may be interesting to you. Interesting enough for you to take five minute showers? Or interesting enough for you to have two small worm composters in your spare room to put natural food scraps in so you don’t put anything down the disposal/drain. But maybe this is not what you can or want to do.

Maybe you have children. I assume that you want your children to grow up healthy, without allergies and without exposure to cancer causing chemicals. I bet that you will be more inclined to research such subjects such as making your own green cleaners and purchasing non-chemically treated clothing and bedding.
Of course I’ll give you a list of wonderful websites and writers and bloggers that I think you should check out. But being green means that you have to go where your own heart takes you. I do not judge someone walking down the street with a plastic water bottle filled with imported water, nor should I scowl at or lecture someone who throws litter onto the street. I’m just going to trust that they are doing their small part in the Green Movement because, in truth, we all have to, sooner or later, or our planet will not sustain us. And for all I know, the litterer is just having a bad day and they may be a fighter for justice in another green arena other than the one I am in.
Phase 3 of Green for Beginners is to learn more Green, in what is of interest to you, after you’ve made a few changes in your home or/and office.

This one will tell you what we are doing to protect the Great Lakes: http://www.environmentillinois.org/protect-lake-michigan/ecosystem-protection-act *
If you like following what is going on with Animal conservation and all things environmental, sign up with http://www.care2.com/ They will send you emails where you can easily cast votes and writer you senators, congressmen and even President Obama.
New to me but I like this blog and they have a recycling big recycling monster. http://www.biggreenhead.com/ Recycling news in Chicago. http://www.chicagorecycling.org/
http://www.squidgonegreen.com has it all. Good food. Solar power information. Great links.
If you are interested in Gardening and community gardens in Chicago. http://www.petersongarden.org/ and follow @theyarden on twitter
Great Blog for mothers: http://icountformyearth.wordpress.com/
On Facebook LIKE Dr. Sarah Warren. Friend her. She's a great resource.
A great book that has been a big help to me: The Green Book, Three Rivers Press, by Elizabeth Rogers & Thomas M. Kostigen.
So do some internet browsing, read, LIKE and Follow. This is a great way to learn and pass on some very good information and inspiration.

Here are the 5 Phases of Green for Beginners.
• Phase One: Let the Idea of being green blossom and get rid of the mind chatter of why you would or would not be green.
• Phase Two: Take Action in your own home and your work place.
• Phase Three: Learn what is interesting to you about being green.
• Phase Four: Join a website or cause that you are interested in and learn and contribute your time, talents or dollars.
• Phase Five: Become a Leader in your own household or workplace or neighborhood.

Please subscribe to this Blog for Green for Beginners and more.

Please order your copy of Mafia Hairdresser, the novel about my life as a hairdresser to a mob couple in the 80's, and subscribe to this blog!