So often we feel overwhelmed by the myriad of world problems that glare at us each day. But if we make simple changes in our daily lives we affect the greater whole. These are ways to express kindness and compassion. Here are five things you can do now to heal the world.
1) Change your diet
While the ideal diet is eating mostly plant-based foods for a myriad of reasons, even going vegan three or four days a week makes an impact. With so many vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, alternative grains, and legumes available to us, not to mention mushrooms, micro vegetables, and sprouted foods, it’s easier than ever to eat a plant-based diet.
This cuts back carbons released into the atmosphere caused by corporate farming, the cattle industry, and the dairy industries. If you must eat eggs and dairy, buy them from a local free-range farm that also feeds its animals organic feed.
Eliminate junk food since junk food contains sugar (an opioid) MSG in the form of “natural seasonings” and other names, too much sodium, and GMO ingredients which are bad for your health and the health of the environment. In fact, only buy products that are either organic or sport the Non-GMO label. Ditto for supplements.
Too expensive? Stick to only superfoods and eat less. This is possible since superfoods contain dense nutrients and when your body feels nourished you eat less.
2) Eliminate all unnecessary plastic from your life
Yeah, I know that some plastic is unavoidable especially if you eat yogurt (even vegan yogurt), buy natural products, and who knows what else. However, do you need plastic straws, cheap plastic knick-knacks, plastic toys, and too many high-tech gadgets?
If you live near a food coop or other type of community store that sells bulk soaps, lotions, shampoos, laundry products, and food, consider re-using containers instead of buying products in plastic containers. If you need some motivation, take a look at this landfill photo.
Look for alternatives. Recycle, re-use, and re-think your product consumption. And remember less is always more.
3) Drive less and use alternative forms of transportation
There are times when you require a car and times when you could walk, take the bus, ride a bike or join rideshare.
With so many people commuting between cities or from the suburbs to a city because of the cost of housing, consider the rideshare or public transportation. I see a future of more high-speed trains in the US and Canada which will improve those commutes. But if you are looking for alternative local travel, try a bike, a skateboard, or your own feet.
I sold my car in 1991 and I have been using alternative transportation or walking or when possible rideshares. Granted, there are times when I could use my own vehicle but those times are more the exception than the rule.
In addition, advocate for safe bike lanes and bicycle ways as well as, safe routes for pedestrians in your city or town. The touted alternative transportation in Portland, Oregon did not just happen overnight or without the effort of its citizens. Get involved.
4) Buy second-hand clothing
Okay, there are exceptions such as buying socks and underwear new, but by purchasing your clothing and shoes from consignment shops, thrift stores, and vintage shops, you keep clothing out of the landfill while also saving yourself money which if you choose, you can donate to a favorite cause or use to purchase superfoods.
When I lived in Bellingham, a non-profit organization launched the Ragfinery which recycled cloth scraps, old clothing, and other related goods. The clothing donations were overwhelming so much so that some clothing was donated to thrift stores who then donated to organizations that shipped extra clothing to China. The point is (and perhaps this doesn’t bode well for the old economy based on the competition model), over-consumption lead to more dumping into landfills.
The advantages of buying second-hand clothing are that you create your own unique style. You’re no longer going into a chain store and buying the same clothing as hundreds of other people with the same options of mix and match shirts and trousers, etc. Another advantage is that thrift stores donate to charities and non-profit organizations that help communities, people, the environment, and animals, depending on the thrift store’s mission.
The downside is that the clothing can smell like laundry detergent fragrances or perfume and these are hard to get out of clothing. Buy a natural detergent that addresses the removal of the fragrances from the clothes.
5) Switch to natural hygiene and household products (or make your own)
Most commercial products are toxic. If you don’t believe me, head over to the Environmental Working Group site and look up products and their ratings for toxicity (in the database). I also recommend reading Debra Lynn Dadd’s book, “Home, Safe Home” which is like a bible for people who suffer from sensitivities to chemicals.
Next time, you choose to use one of Dove’s products or douse on a synthetic fragrance consider that many of the chemicals those products cause cancer and interfere with reproductive health. Not only that, some products contain the same neurotoxic chemical that appears in bug sprays. Yes, you are basically spraying the equivalent of Raid on your body. Not only are you contributing to air pollution but you damage your health and the health of others. Use some consideration when purchasing a product. Is it harmful? Then stop using it.
If you have harmful chemicals in your home, you’ll need to take them to a poison recycling center or a hazardous waste site. And yes, includes those fancy perfumes. Too bad you have to toss out the nice glass bottles.
If you find any of these ideas helpful, share with your friends. If you would like metaphysical and practical coaching, sign up for a session with me at wholemusicexp at gmail.com $100 an hour by Skype. I also give astrology readings and channel sessions. Payment.
image from Pixabay.com
Metaphysics 4 Everyday Living 