Small steps, small actions do add up over time . . . whether you are working to fulfill a dream, to make the world a better place, or to add positive change to your life - healthy habits for body, mind and spirit, for instance - action does add up over time. If you want to achieve, or change, you first have to decide to 'act', define what you intend to do, then build a plan that will take you to the finish line.
Folks often get stuck not long after they begin a new endeavor - they get overwhelmed, or lose their motivation, and soon give up. Consider this running example: Many resolution-setters begin strong when the gun goes off at the beginning of the race, then fade because they can't find their stride. Alternatively, when a runner begins the process realistically knowing that he/she doesn't have to run a full Marathon while only a beginning runner - progress and achievement is sure to follow. If you are patient, and work your way up from walking, to a five-mile run, to a half-Marathan, then a full Marathon, you can succeed brilliantly! I take that approach with everything in my life, particularly my dreams, resolutions, and daily goals to protect and preserve the environment.
It's Tip Day for ways to 'Give The Boot To Our Carbon Footprints'. In 2008 my New Year Resolution is 
to 'show gratitude' for my blessings by 'giving back' and the environment is one of my recipients. I dedicate three columns each week to news, information and ideas about small, daily steps we can take to reduce our Carbon Footprints. Consider the huge, positive, long-range impact on the environment if each one of us performs 'habitual' actions - like driving fewer vehicle miles, using more energy efficient light bulbs, and turning off lights when we leave rooms. My goal, as an individual, is to urge others to follow my lead, and take a few small steps each and every day toward protecting the environment.
Recycling is an important part of my on-going effort to protect and preserve the environment. The main problem that I am having, at the moment, is that I live in the country and I can't find a trash hauling company that will send a recycling truck to where I live (the walk is too long from trash to truck), so I need to create my own recycling effort. I have been noodling this since last Spring - and a plan is beginning to gel:
- I'm going to start small - pick one or two modes of recycling parts of my trash, and figure out a way to efficiently bundle the trash and get it to a recycling facility that is near my home (I need to get a list and locations of area recycling centers).
- I'm going to recycle my magazines - perhaps at the local public library, or area non-profits.
- I'm going to recycle my plastic water bottles first - use the bottles to begin setting up a system that works for me (time efficient and easy, otherwise I won't want to do it because I'm already swamped with things to do!).
- I'll move on out from there: Magazines and bottles first, then newspapers, junk mail, cans, etc.
I already recycle when I am in the city and at places that have recycling bins. I'm careful to leave just-cut grass on the law to mulch, and I mulch my leaves. So, I feel like I'm on the right track, but I need to educate myself about the steps that I can take, build a complete plan (the four points above are a start), then 'do it daily'! I'm a Resolutionista and darn proud of it! :)
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution! Make Every Day New Year's Day. Make Every Day Count. Visit my resolution shop by clicking this link: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto
Kim M. Simpson - July 16, 2008
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