Remember January 1, 2008? Seems like such a long, long time ago, doesn't it. Remember your New Year Resolutions? They probably seem like a dim memory, as well. No worries. There is plenty of time left in 2008 to revive those New Year Resolutions to do something 'good' for the environment. Rather 
than looking at the year as a glass half empty, why not look at it as a glass half full? 'Yep', we have sped through 193 days, but there are still 173 days left!
It's Friday, 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.
I've made a lot of progress in my effort to educate myself about ways to help the environment and to take action. One of the ways that I stay on top of my daily goals is to review my 'To Do Lists' frequently. Here's an update on my summertime 'To Do's For The Environment' . . .
- Order I Resolve To . . . Canvas Tote Bags to take to the grocery store (less plastic!). Update: I have seven brand new Tote Bags for my trips to the grocery store! Now, I need to remember to put them in my car so I have them handy when I shop . . . A colleague also gave me a great slide show yesterday that describes great reasons (and lots of data) to stop using plastic bags. Have a look, it's very interesting: Poconorecord.com - Plastic Bag Use
- Recycle Magazines - I'm happily working through my stacks and will donate to worthy organizations and groups. Update: I'm working to identify organizations, friends and 'others' who can use my magazines, and plan to start delivering them this month.
- Walk and Metro more, and drive less, when I am in Washington, D.C. Update: I'm actually driving very little, and walking quite a bit, due to my surgery; plan to keep that up in July and August both in Fredericksburg and DC.
- Promote Keep America Beautiful in an effort to urge people NOT TO LITTER! Update: I've done two columns and have a link to the KAB website on my blog, but need to brainstorm other ways to give KAB a hand. I have been mentioning it to friends who have have fond memories of the early KAB Campaigns.
- Review my EarthLab Promises - a great website that provides great ideas for reducing your Carbon Footprint, and offers a way to track the promises/goals you make. Update: This is on-going, work in progress - I review my promises once each week.
- Do more research on recycling. Update: This is an on-going work in progress this summer.
- Create ways to recycle at home even though I cannot get trash haulers to send 'recycle trucks' to my home in the country. Update: Need to find new ways of using less paper, plastic, etc - and continue research about ways to recycle. I am taking the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to heart!
- Research and write columns about the 'end' of Incandescent light bulb, which will be phased out in 2012 under a 2007 energy law passed by Congress. Done: Did my research and posted a column, June 6th.
- Redouble my efforts to conserve energy at home: lights, computers, appliances, etc. Update: This is a work in progress, on-going through the summer.
- Begin brainstorming and researching steps I can take in the Fall when I finish this list! Update: I begin this new effort in June and am posting new links, articles, and websites that have useful information about ways that we can help the environment!
If you want to fulfill a dream, keep a New Year Resolution, or achieve daily goals it helps to have a specific resolution, to do your homework, build a plan, write things down in a daily journal, create a timeline with deadlines for tasks, and do daily and weekly Check-Ins. If you want more ideas for ways to stay on track visit the I Resolve To . . . Toolkit:
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 11, 2008
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