Concentrate on Compassion

An idea/ mantra/ meditation to consider during tumultuous times:

Compassion, openness, understanding, empathy, love, and respect aren't simply words or concepts to idealize - they are tools that we as humans are gifted with and should most definitely utilize. 

To be mindful of thinking outside of ourselves, considering others, caring about how we make each other feel and moving through our lives with kindness, that's how we emphasize the best aspects of our species. 

Human connection is vital to our survival and our happiness. If we are closed-off, distant, angry, mean, egotistic, disrespectful or violent then we are taking for granted the capability of our conscious minds and failing to achieve a part of life we all deserve. 

For each of us it begins within. We make the choice. 

To examine our own behavior, to confront our own biases, to envision ourselves in another's position, to see a situation from an alternate perspective, to accept our past and heal any emotional wounds - it is healthy and helpful to do this work.

It sounds cliche but the differences that separate us are insignificant when we focus on the bigger similarities that unite us.

We're humans. We all share this planet. Each of us have feelings and emotions. We want to thrive and we endure struggles. We strive to experience joy but go through times of inevitable sadness. We crave love, we try to avoid loneliness, and we each face the inevitable fact that life eventually comes to an end in a single, unknown moment. 

Thus, we share the knowledge that every up, every down, and everything in between is our own precious journey. The world is a classroom in which we can constantly learn lessons and move forward in a wiser way.

We want it to be as pleasurable of an experience as possible. We can only hope for good things to hit us the hardest and tough things to sting as little as possible because what's thrown at us is out of our control.

What we can control is a decision to focus our energy on cooperation and positivity without sacrificing any to divisive differences or other negative, less-coveted aspects of the human condition.

If we mistreat others or push our inner, unchecked strife onto them, we extract enjoyment from their reality and hinder our own progress.  

Our individual energy can and should go towards our own healing, our own contentment, and the creation of positive interactions with others that lead to human connection and life's beautiful relationships. 

This is what we are capable of and this is what we all deserve. 

It's futile to expect a Utopia of perfection, but as citizens of a global society facing unprecedented challenges, is it too much to ask that we try exude more good into this world than bad?

**Put It Into Practice**

Just try to remember we're here for a short amount of time; treat yourself, others and the planet kindly. Concentrate on compassion. 

Inspiration & Motivation, not Frustration

Well humans, here we are, 2021. Trying to live our lives amidst the many repercussions of climate change and other human-made, unjust destruction. Inundated with headlines to which we each react differently: "Mass Bleaching of Coral Reefs", "Mass Shooting in ________", "Floods Displace Thousands in ________", "Record-breaking Heat Waves", "Hurricanes Cause $___ of Damage", "Dead ________ Discovered with Stomach Full of Plastic", "Global Pandemic Death Toll Reaches 2.5 Million", "________ Killed by Cops in ________," "Major Biodiversity Loss In Midst of 6th Mass Extinction". 

What to do with all of this? Maybe we read part of an article or see a news story and take a moment to acknowledge it but feel discouraged or defeated so we continue our day with work, errands, chores, social interactions, parenting, and other musings of life which take priority over what we've learned. Perhaps a portion of us will be affected by the news in a way that inspires activism or changes to our daily routines in hopes of helping a particular issue. And some of us will be moved deeply by the constant reminders of the condition of our world; reading every article, piecing them together into a bigger picture of what homo sapiens are doing to each other and the planet. This hyperawareness might overwhelm us with feelings of anxiety, depression and helplessness, but it can also motivate us into action, tackling issues of the global crises we know humanity faces. 

Citizens at every point on the spectrum, billions of us, contribute to our current situation for better or worse. Many of us fluctuate, doing better some days and worse other days. In certain areas we could be doing really well and in others, not so much. It isn't always easy but we need only strive for improvement, not perfection. We are an intelligent species with the ability to learn, adjust, grow and change. Our habits and behaviors are not chiseled out of stone but even if they were, the right tools would allow us to carve new ones. One thing I urge humanity to do is emphasize the importance of focusing our energy on inspiration and motivation rather than feelings of frustration or apathy.

Informational resources are out there. The how-to's, the products, companies, initiatives, leaders, support, others who are trying - better options are becoming more plentiful and accessible as the urgency becomes more apparent. Steps toward sustainability on personal and mass scales are attainable for a lot of us, even if availability is often too limited to those with certain privileges. It may be impossible for some people wanting to help to find the means to do it, while at the same time there are people who do have the means and don't help. All I can say is, I hope that is changing. Our voices and our actions can spark that change. It's incredible how fast the status quo can transform when the masses demand it. With ingenuity and support, spectacular innovation is possible. I envision a future where sustainability is not only affordable but encouraged and rewarded in all facets of our lives. 

With that said, this post is not meant to discourage or point fingers but to motivate and inspire all of us, no matter where we are in our journey of awareness and action. Take the first step, or more small steps, or a giant leap toward making a positive impact on this universal home of ours. I began writing this blog because, well, I like to write and I'm passionate about the Earth and sustainability, but also to remind everyone who reads it that our individual actions matter. They matter because there are billions of us making many choices every day that add up throughout our lifetime, and because each action sends out ripple effects which affect and/or influence the life-choices of others, and so on. 

But most importantly, our thoughts, choices and actions matter because we make them consciously. We have control over what we think, say and do. We can't take that for granted. Our autonomy is powerful and we must never forget it. Especially when systems tend to restrict options more than create them for so many people in all sorts of situations, attempting to weaken our strength of unity and influence. We must keep up the good work and always remember ECO-MAD: Exert Conscientious Options - Make A Difference!!

It's past time time to exercise the power we have in order to shift our standards so the paradigm includes everyone, as well as considers the health of this planet we live on. Send out more than ripples if you can, create tidal waves that lift others up and carry them over the barriers holding them back. We can utilize our individual acts to push for the necessities of a thriving global society such as equity, justice, cooperation, innovation and sustainability. What we have to do is think outside of ourselves, conceptualize the bigger picture and include all other living things in our thoughts with compassion. We are part of this living universe, not separate from it. 

2020 Thoughts

Maybe, just maybe, this tragic pandemic plaguing the globe will initiate a metamorphosis that could serve as the transformation humans need in order to live more harmoniously with Earth. As we face impactful realizations of what's truly important and how precious those things are, hopefully we can cultivate deeper forms of vital qualities within ourselves like compassion, humility, gratitude, generosity, forgiveness and understanding. Perhaps, as a society, we can begin to emphasize concepts of simplicity, minimalism, sustainability, inclusiveness, acceptance, cooperation, and unity. The truth is, it doesn't have to be a 'maybe'. As a civilization we can make the conscious choice to evolve into a better version of humanity. We have an opportunity to positively progress out of a seemingly terrible situation.

During this unique time of life-altering change occurring around the world, unease is ubiquitous. Emotions and feelings of confusion, uncertainty, fear, sadness, anger, helplessness, loneliness, disappointment, anxiety, exhaustion, worry, stress, and frustration permeate the energy of the universe in a very palpable way. The global, human population is being affected and the future is dubious. But when we take a moment to reflect, we can remind ourselves that the reality of life on this planet has always been preciously uncertain and ever-changing. Usually, the act of living our lives provides fantastic distraction from those facts. Now, however, the threat of our fragility is literally infectious and spreading right before our eyes. Suddenly, we're forced to cope with this unfamiliar, distressing situation over which we have very little control. How do we begin to navigate this new, chaotic realm of existence?

A practical and poignant place to begin is with awareness, acceptance, mindfulness (being present), gratitude and reframing. As many wise people have said, "we cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it."

Awareness of the present catalyzes acceptance of our true reality. To be mindful of the present moment is a lifelong practice; an intentional focus that we must remember and choose to return to. Concentration on the in and out of our breath, the sensations within our bodies and of our surroundings - these are the things we can hold on to as we aspire to let the rest go. Worries. Anxieties. Incessant thoughts. We can allow the present to be what it is while releasing concerns of the past and future. As we affirm our current reality, we can create a safe space where we give ourselves permission to experience the catharsis of purging whatever thoughts, feelings and emotions we need to. Always coming back to the breath, our rhythm of life.

Realization of what doesn't serve us, along with the cultivation of what does, lies in mindfulness and gratitude. As human beings possessing consciousness, we're gifted with the ability to be grateful. Being cognizant of what makes us happy or brings us joy, and acknowledging it, is a powerful thing that can lead to so much goodness. Even when we're aware and accepting of a harsh reality we're currently facing, we can choose to focus on gratitude and positivity in order to shift our mindset. We may cry hard, scream loudly, contemplate silently, laugh uncontrollably or react however we need to, but when we're done and we return to our breath, we can reframe our perspective in order to regain motivation during a trying time.

To focus on the good things we have or have to gain, instead of the bad, is again, a powerful choice we can make. If we're scared a family member might get sick or maybe we're worrying about our income, or the safety of healthcare workers, the homeless, and the elderly - we can hold all of that in a positive space in our thoughts, react in our own safe space, remember our breath, and then consciously shift focus to gratitude of our loved ones, modern medicine, selflessness of others, and the securities we do have. If there's more we can do to ease our worries or appease our fears, then we should do them if we believe it will make a true difference. But being present, being aware and accepting of reality, as well as reframing negatives into positivity and gratitude, are some great tools to use to stay healthy and maintain balance mentally during these unprecedented circumstances.

We are a resilient and intelligent species. Not only can we survive this pandemic and whatever the future has in store, but we can utilize all that we have and are in order to redefine what it means to thrive.

Ripple Effects Require Energy

Ripples are waves of energy, essentially. So what type of ripples are you sending out?
Think for a minute about how the ripples you create are affecting and multiplying by the billions of other people all across this one, precious Earth...

Kenai sending out ripples in the Eel River.

The intention and purpose of the ECO-MAD movement is to connect with ourselves on a deep level, hopefully allowing us to discover and develop true contentment through selflessness and then setting examples which cast that contagious conscientiousness into the world. Every single one of us has control over our own thoughts, choices and actions. Each individual has the power to manifest and exemplify positivity, kindness, compassion, love, personal growth and evolution, action and achievement, and amelioration of our lives and the state of all living things on this planet. Every passing day it becomes exceedingly vital that we focus more on what it is we are emanating from within ourselves to the rest of the world.

Initiating proliferation of these meaningful conceptions and intentions unfortunately requires more time, energy and thoughtfulness than most may be willing to give or more than we believe ourselves capable of giving. But as of today, let us make no excuse nor justification for denying this planet, the future generations of our species (our children!) and ourselves of what we know we need to do. Put as simply and generally as possible, we are capable of and imperatively need to Exert Conscientious Options regularly in order to Make A Difference which is urgent and crucial.

The way we should view this idea is that every step in the right direction helps. We may not get everywhere we're going in one quick sprint, but every time we put one foot in front of the other we are closer to our goal. And everyone goes somewhere at some point right? So there's no denying that we're technically all in this together, and there's no reason to walk in opposition because it only does more harm than good for everyone. In other words, no matter what someone believes about ideas of humanity, climate change, social justice, ethics, etc., there's absolutely no reason not to use our personal power as individuals (and our combined power as a species) to try to improve the systems that influence everything and everyone on this planet. A movement of collective action meant to have only positive effects!

**Put It Into Practice**

Yes, this does mean putting in the extra effort and energy to do things like choosing the less-convenient alternative; taking the time to research candidates and policies and then voting; researching before decision-making so we support people/ companies/ industries doing it right; investing extra money into something more ethical or sustainable; washing/ bringing our reusables instead of buying disposables; denying ourselves the coffee if we forget our reusable cup (or at least refusing the plastic lid and going 'topless'); remembering our own bags for produce and groceries so we don't have to use/ dispose of new ones every time (I personally make bags out of old t-shirts); shopping at bulk food stores whenever possible; seeking out whole foods to snack on instead of plastic-wrapped processed things; opting for second-hand clothing (and taking care of the clothes we own) before buying new; spot-washing garments instead of putting it all in the laundry, and keeping in mind that there is always an option which is better for us, others and the environment.

As the ripples undulate they begin with us and move outward, affecting our close family and friends, acquaintances, strangers, community, society, and the global populace. Try it! Make a few changes in your lifestyle and see how others notice, then realize how you feel knowing that you're making a positive difference in the world around you. Then make a few more changes. You don't have to promote it or preach it, simply do it. In my experience, setting an example always leads to other people being curious and initiation of a conversation. Plus, it feels great to be a trend-setter for normalizing things that should be routine already (sure, you may get some 'looks' or have to deal with some patronizing attitudes, but what does that matter when you know that what you're doing is helping?).

Making informed, ethical, sustainable decisions ripples beyond just those who immediately recognize it, as well. And it's no secret that money makes quite the splash - sending out some of the most gigantic, far-reaching waves. So for example, if we choose to buy something sourced, made and/or sold locally, we're most likely contributing to our community (money stays local, supporting local industries/ artists/ shop owners), society (helping strengthen society's sense of community with human interaction, less packaging so less waste) and the global populace (not supporting sweatshops or child labor or other unethical practices on the other side of the world somewhere out of sight and mind). No matter what we decide to spend our money on or where we purchase from, it's significant to understand the power our consumerism has (vote with your dollars) and the importance of researching the different aspects of where/ what/ how/ by whom things are made. We must not take it for granted that many of us have access to this privileged resource called the internet, which if used right, can unveil immense amounts of credible, applicable information useful in our decision-making.

Urgently & Consistently ECO-MAD

ECO-MAD is a mindset. One of being regularly present, aware and prepared. It's a state of mind which reminds us to be conscientious, not just of the interconnectedness of the world, but also the impacts of each of our interactions within it. This attitude is based on the idea that we can each feel more fulfilled and content making choices we know will have a positive impact environmentally, socially and on the overall wellbeing of life on Earth.

Key to achieving this intrinsic and beneficial state of mind is practice and consistency, such as many things in life. No one is an expert immediately. Continuing to Exert Conscientious Options that Make A Difference in every circumstance is one of the most important elements of this evolving movement. It's also imperative that we leave space for error without being hard on ourselves; no one is perfect, just as long as we are trying. We must keep our mind on the ultimate goal and praise ourselves for all the victories (big and small) along the journey. As an added bonus, when we are happily and healthily living an 'ECO-MAD' lifestyle, others are often intrigued and inspired to take part naturally, essentially sending out ripples (maybe even waves) of conscientious awareness.

Since the recent UN report on climate, titled "Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science - Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services" (wordy, but effective), there's more urgency than ever to move in the right direction. We're proving to be an aggressive species, with a massive and growing population and an insatiable appetite for finite natural resources. Not to mention, we're living in an unbelievably delicate balance of life on this fragile yet miraculous planet.

Although there's been a slow shift happening for decades, it needs a change of pace. This is urgent - we need to hurry. And since none of us can singularly change the ways of our leaders/ governments/ industries/ corporations, it's up to all of us to work together with a common goal in order to influence sustainable outcomes and demand certain results. By focussing on our billions of individual choices and actions (ie. where/how/on what we spend our money, who and what we vote for) we can and will make a necessary difference. What we each decide to do now will add up to represent us as a global society and ultimately affect all living things.

Globally Interrelated

We are all connected to each other, simply through the nature of life. Each and every one of us needs the same basic elements to survive, and we all depend on our environment - planet earth - to provide us these necessities.

The Dalai Lama explains that "interdependence is a fundamental law of nature", in his book, My Spiritual Journey. "It concerns more than just the more evolved forms of life, for even the smallest insects are social beings who, without the slightest religion, law, or education, survive thanks to mutual cooperation, based on an innate recognition of their interrelatedness."

If we truly hope to move our current civilization forward in a positive way, capable of overcoming the serious threats of our time, we must recognize our potential as individuals within a collective global society that is interrelated. We all need to cultivate an awareness of how our individual impacts ripple through the connectedness of humanity as a whole, creating our current and future reality.

Author John Perkins, in his book The Secret History of the American Empire, emphasizes how individuals can make a big impact and crucial difference within this realm of interdependence. He says "it is imperative that we develop an awareness that every action we take and every product we buy impacts other people and the places where they live; collectively, our lifestyles today determine the future our children and grandchildren will inherit."

Our inspiration for finding this awareness in ourselves and nurturing it, should be an intrinsically fulfilling, altruistic motivation to do what is fair and right for humanity and for all life forms with which we cohabitate on Earth. It may be difficult to tap into this concept at first for many reasons, including the fact that we're all experiencing life differently, along with all the distractions that accompany our personal, day to day lives. Once we acknowledge and accept our interrelatedness, our responsibilities as citizens of a united and connected world become clearer, making it easier and more effortless to choose and act in accordance with what benefits the global community and the future - not solely the individual and the now.

As the Dalai Lama states in his book, "universal responsibility is the best possible basis to ensure our personal happiness and world peace. It implies that everyone be given equal access to natural resources, by protecting the environment for future generations." He explains that "the human community has reached a critical point in its history. The world today forces us to accept that humanity is one. In the past, the various communities could allow themselves to think that they were separate. But today...what happens in one country affects many other countries. The world is becoming more and more interdependent." Closing the point he says, "without understanding and promoting the sense of our universal responsibility, our future itself is threatened." Explaining further that "many problems in the world arise because we have lost sight of the basic humanity that unites all members of the human family. We tend to forget that despite the diversity of race, religion, culture, language, and ideology, we all have an equal and fundamental right to peace and happiness."

Together we can do this. We can take individual strides to create a better future for everyone. And in doing so, we can shift the status quo, we can cause a mindset change toward simple, sustainable and satisfying lifestyles. Remember, ECO-MAD: Exert Conscientious Options - Make A Difference!

**Put It Into Practice**

There are nearly 7.5 billion of us on this planet. Think about that power in numbers. All it takes is cooperation. Even baby steps help if they're in the right direction. If we all use a single-use plastic cup, straw or bag even once in our life then that's 7.5 billion pieces of waste across the globe breaking down over thousands of years and causing environmental plight as it does so. But, if all 7.5 billion of us said no to the single-use option even just once, there would be 7.5 billion less pieces of trash existing across the globe! Imagine how much waste could be reduced from the consumption cycle and removed from our environment if even half the population of the world took steps to switch to a more sustainable lifestyle. Billions and billions of pieces of unnecessary waste not being created, not polluting the planet, not endangering our future - that's a win for all of humanity.

Inspirational Insight

What do we teach our kids, and any child in our life? That they can be whatever they want when they grow up, and that the possibilities are endless. But what if the choices we're all making right now are ultimately hindering their abilities to flourish in the future? Considering the reality of human-induced climate change and tragedies like the major plastic pollution problem, ocean pollution/acidification or mass-extinctions, we can't deny that our collective actions are not helping to provide a very opportunistic lifetime for kids today. Unless, of course, we all do our part to promote more sustainable ways of living ASAP. We still have a small window of time, to come together and use our innovative minds in order to change our collectively destructive ways and clean up the messes we've made. Remember, "we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

There's nothing wrong with thinking big, or having grand goals and dynamic dreams beyond what we think may be possible. In fact, our world needs more aspiration from everyone right now. Especially and specifically moving towards a more sustainable future. We need more people to believe in themselves and to push for positive global change on any and every level. The scales need to be tipped away from things like consumerism, greed, hate, divisiveness, and ignorance, and tipped towards ideals of conscientiousness, sustainability, inclusiveness, unity, love, and understanding. Working individually and together, it is possible to create a future where everyone's rights, no matter how simple or profound, coincide with the betterment of the entire global community and the preservation of the natural world for generations to come. Historically, groups of people working together have been one of the main and only catalysts for real, necessary change.

We must keep in mind there is strength in numbers. As much as our individual choices and actions matter, listening to and working with others is just as important. Opening our minds and our hearts, realizing we may have privilege, or we may be unfairly treated, or unfortunately judged based on something which we have no control - accepting our position and using it to an advantage is the best thing we can do. For me personally, it's privilege. I know and understand that my position as a white, middle-class, college-educated female living in a country with many freedoms gives me an advantage. So does the fact that my parents bought or inherited property and in turn so did I. The main privilege in my life, however, is that I was raised to be conscientious and aware of, not only my position of advantage in the world, but the state of the rest of the world. Sometimes it can feel like a curse, right? To be hyperaware of the conditions of people, animals and environments suffering across the globe - and feeling like I can't do enough to help - is agonizing. Understanding that as I sit here and write these words, trying to make a difference, people, animals, and the environment are oppressed, overworked and overburdened just so people like you and me can have commodities like the devises we're using now.

So what can we do? We can talk about it. Educate others (even if it makes them feel uncomfortable or get defensive), listen to others (really listen, try to understand another perspective and empathize without judgement in order to cultivate understanding and connection), and use these tools of communication and intelligence to spark action. Make the time to put in the extra effort to use the reusables, to grow our own food, to pick up trash, to find alternatives to over-processed, over-packaged convenience items, to write to companies and governmental bodies about using renewable instead of destructive, finite resources. Want less stuff. Need less stuff. Take care of stuff so it lasts longer. Make informed, conscientious decisions about the stuff we do consume. Stop using single-use plastic. Stop sucking (straws). Don't buy into society's trap of hierarchy by overconsumption and lack of consideration for life as a whole. Create relationships based on what people are like or how they treat others instead of what type of car they drive or whether or not they own a boat or the newest smartphone. Focus on how every little thought, decision and action each one of us takes individually, helps or hurts us all in the long run. Figure out what drives you and get inspired by it to make positive changes to yourself that will flow outward to others and the world.

What does a better tomorrow look like to you? And how can you begin to accomplish it? There's a role for every single person - even the naysayers and the ones with their head in the sand, forcing the rest of us to strive harder to change the current realities we know to be true. How will you make a difference? How will you be an example of positive change for future generations?

Money and Power VS. The People

Money should never be more important than any life. Unfortunately, in our current global social-economic situation, it has become just that. Right now, billions across the globe live in poverty. Even millions of citizens in the United States struggle to live off low wages while paying rising bills for basic (often inadequate) services like electricity and water. The gap between the very rich and the very poor constantly grows while the majority of those with power to lessen the polarity of wealth inequality, historically and currently, tend to turn their heads for ease or allow policies which favor lining their own pockets. It doesn't take much to realize that certain companies, corporations, their executives, and the politicians supporting/being supported by them, are clearly profiting greedily at the expense of working, struggling humans in the U.S. and all over the world.

It's unfair that hard-working citizens take the blame upon themselves; believing they're just unlucky, couldn't catch a break, or didn't work hard enough. Because the truth is, it's not just them, it's a huge amount of people being taken advantage of so that a few people in charge can have more money and possessions than they'll ever really need. This current state in our world clearly demonstrates that the majority of those supposedly representing "we, the people" and protecting our most basic freedoms - like rights to clean air, water and soil for starters - are not working to serve us (their constituents) but instead to please their bosses and fuel their own self-serving interests. Politics are ruled by money and even politicians will admit that. Powerful people bend or make the rules in order to manipulate the systems in their favor, often because they're simply greedy. But this is not just about pointing fingers and placing blame, it's about a call to action for all citizens and the promotion of demanding things like transparency, accountability, education, sustainability and positive solutions.

**Put It Into Practice**

We must take responsibility for the health of our planet, each other, and all other life. It begins with accepting ourselves, others, the truth of what's going on, and our ability to do something about it. When we're not divided by our differences, we are united by our similarities. We're all simply human, all needing the same things to survive, and we will all someday die, leaving the state of the world to our children and grandchildren. In the grand scheme of things we are a tiny fraction of this existence, the smallest of contributions to an infinite work-in-progress, and as a whole, humans in this current era are doing much more harm than good.

Our species possesses consciousness but we seem to be lacking integrity. We have full knowledge of, and control over, our thoughts, choices, and actions; yet, we are allowing ourselves to be ruled by convenience and money while destroying our only planet in the process. This can't be what's meant for us, for our highly-evolved species. A majority of us fighting for survival and suffering while too many are complacent, very few of the privileged help, and the truly powerful seem to do nothing. How can this state of affairs be what anyone stands for? As one human to another, how can we be okay with what some of us are inflicting on others?

Shouldn't we be coming together to decide what's important for us as a group and what will benefit our species as a whole instead of reeling with divisive hate that only pushes us closer to our own demise? It's too easy to sit behind a screen with a keyboard telling everyone who will listen why we are right, but what does that actually accomplish? If we stopped arguing and could find common ground by brainstorming practical goals, imagine what we could accomplish. Unfortunately, it's difficult to work toward a global community when the priority has become money and it's each person for themselves. Unity is tough when we are so polarized, when many work hard and are struggling to make enough to survive while being taken advantage of by a few who just scam and scheme to get as much as they can.

In a way I get it, because I, too, obviously need money to survive. Even the articles and videos this blog links to will no doubt have advertising, trying to sell anything from window cleaner to shoes or more personalized items based on what websites we visit, like camo gear or new facial cream. It's understandable that companies need to try to sell their products so they, their stock holders, workers, etc. can all make the money they need to keep their world spinning. It makes sense because when money is what keeps us secure and comfortable, we do what we have to do to keep it coming.

However, is having what we want worth swaying our moral compass? Is it worth the value of human life? Should money be a motivating factor so great that it forces us to do what we know isn't right? Success shouldn't be measured by how much power one has, how much money one makes, or how much stuff one owns, but by how we feel intrinsically, what we do for those around us, and how we treat all others. We shouldn't need big houses nor fancy cars nor the newest brand toys and clothes to legitimize our status, but sadly we do, because we have been raised in a capitalistic society and we've been taught this is the way to prove ourselves as successful. Because of this mindset, it seems we would screw over another human just to make a quick buck. We must challenge this notion, all of us, because really, our individual successes should reflect our success as a species and should be based on progress and prosperity of the human race as a whole. In other words, life should always come before money. In terms of this key fact, our race is currently proving unsuccessful. Let's be the change!

ECO-MAD Traveling

Ancient cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, Co, USA.
An unbelievable piece of history
I'm so grateful has been preserved.

What we take away from our travel experiences can and should be much more than material possessions or photographs. As humans we're able to consciously recognize and remember our perceived memories and feelings created from our experiences, which generates personal growth, helps shape us, and allows us to become more fulfilled and more comprehensive as individuals. Even when we travel we can make a positive impact by EXERTING CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS that MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Like all ECO-MAD decision-making, it's essential to be informed and aware of the effects our actions have on others (the locals) and the planet (the local environment) while we're visiting somewhere. To be conscientious of the place we're going, how we get there, what we bring with us, what we do there, and what we bring back, is all important because our actions have effects that ripple. In addition, since it's nearly impossible to accomplish consumption-free traveling, it's helpful to check ourselves by considering how, what and why we consume what we do when we're 'on the road'.

The place.
Before going somewhere, there are many advantages in doing research, not just on the destination itself but also on the general impacts of tourism. The more we know, the more powerful we can be in reducing our impact while experiencing the destination to its fullest and possessing a clear conscience.

The stuff.
Time to think about our baggage, and what sustainable essentials to bring. Reusable options can severely cut down on some of the worst and most abundant waste-creating convenience items, not to mention save money and create all-around healthier habits. From field trips to road trips, here's some reusables to consider:

• Ice chest - to bring our own food so we can avoid fast-food or expensive restaurants, avoid excess packaging, and as a bonus, clear the fridge out at home so foods don't go bad.
• Stainless cups and straws - to ensure we avoid unnecessary plastics and waste when we get our drinks-on-the-go.
• Stainless or glass water bottles - so we don't have to drink out of plastic or create waste. Maybe even make our own juice to bring in an extra bottle?
• SteriPEN (hand-held UV light water purifier) - to use after filling our reusable bottles from a tap or stream (clear, flowing water) so we don't have to worry about getting sick.
• Bamboo utensils - a lightweight, easy-to-carry alternative to plasticware.
• Lightweight bowl/plate - great for backpacking, travel-picnicking or festivals; an all-around great tool for all sorts of travel, especially if you love food!
• Wine/alcohol bag - in case we want a drink but metal/glass isn't allowed.
• Tupperware (preferably glass, although reusable plastic is lighter weight for travel) - for leftover or to-go food.
• Reusable clear bag for toiletries - then we don't have to use something like a Ziploc.

Eco-friendly toiletries are essential since our bodies soak the ingredients in and because drains often lead to waterways and seas. Every individual has different preferences and needs, but as stated in previous posts on this blog, the best thing we can do is research and - if we're not making it ourselves with ingredients and packaging we're knowledgeable about - find out things like where the products come from and who makes them, how they're made and with what, what they're packaged in and how much waste they create. Having this type of information means the difference between us (millions of consumers) supporting environmentally, socially, ethically, etc. responsible products and companies versus those which greedily put profits above all else. Some travel toiletry products to consider researching:

• Coconut oil
• *has so many uses straight out of the jar  
• **can be mixed with other ingredients to create even more uses
• Chapstick* (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Lotion* (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Shampoo
• Conditioner**(and/or hair mask*)(if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Soap** (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Facewash** (if made at home we can package in a reusable container)
• Sunscreen
• Toothpaste** (if made at home we can package in a reusable container) 
• Toothbrush (bamboo is more sustainable than plastic)
• Feminine products (there are alternatives to pads/tampons like menstrual cups/underwear, which are less wasteful)
• Razor (metal or bamboo with replaceable heads or resharpenable blades to reduce waste)
• Water floss/pick (if we're dedicated enough to bring it with us traveling)

Airports, etc. are becoming more compatible
with sustainable lifestyles!

The transportation. 

Hopefully, we can hit the road with the least amount of impact (no pun intended). Certain methods of travel are worse for the planet than others, but also unavoidable at times. We may need the help of an airplane to get where we're going, but it's important to consider that some airlines do make up for their carbon footprint - or at least don't increase it - by reducing, reusing and recycling in many areas of service. It's crucial to support the people, businesses, companies, organizations, corporations, etc. who are making a positive effort. Attempt whenever possible:

• Walk
• Take public transportation
• Carpool
• Ride bicycles 
• Rent the most gas efficient vehicle possible, or go electric if it's an option. 
• Support locally run rental/transportation companies (usually assures that money spent stays in the community).

Avoid whenever possible:

• Cruises (mainly because of their negative impacts on the environment, specifically the seas, which are essential to their business - go figure)
• Riding on an animal of any kind unless you know for a fact it's being treated humanely.  
• Unnecessary, excess transportation (this requires proper planning to avoid, but again, not always avoidable) 
• Supporting mega-chains or huge corporations (whose profits often disregard the local communities and instead benefit shareholders/CEOs)

The activities.
No matter the purpose of our trips or where we go, one thing we can and should always do everywhere is "leave no trace" - or better yet, leave all places better than we find them, ensuring they are preserved for other visitors and future generations. The best way to make sure our traveling activities are (among other things) sustainable, responsible and humane is - again for emphasis - to DO OUR RESEARCH. Ask questions. Who runs the activity? Is the activity being done in a responsible way? What are the impacts of the activity on the surrounding people, animals and place? Are there global impacts? A business with nothing to hide will have transparency and be able to give us most information we request, plus we can talk to locals and others who have done the activities, or read reviews.  From activities as harsh as 'elephant riding' to those as seemingly harmless as shell collecting, it's dire that we pay attention to not only the repercussions of our own visit, but the lasting effects that will result from tourism as a whole, when multiplied by at least millions of visitors in our lifetime alone. It just so happens that "ethical tourism" is a thing and it's trending, so for those with access to Internet, beginning to find information is as easy as typing 'choosing ethical tourism' into the search bar and hitting enter!

The return.
It's important when deciding what to buy and/or bring home with us (souvenirs) that we take into consideration not just the typical questions of 'where is it made, who made it, what is it made of, how is it made, what are the mass-scale effects if any, etc.?' but also 'what can people use and or experience rather than just have?'. Most likely, for example, someone will enjoy a gift like locally made food items (hot sauce, jam, etc.) with unique ingredients from the place visited, or some local music or art to ponder, rather than something plastic or 'made in China'. Again, a place to begin research if you have internet access is as simple as searching 'ethical souvenirs'.

What wilderness does for the self is inexplicable,
and preservation of the wild is our responsibility.

**Put It Into Practice**

ECO-MAD traveling, as with ECO-MAD in general, begins with knowing, respecting and loving ourselves (our feelings, habits, fears, joys, goals, etc.) first and foremost so that we ultimately make conscious choices and educated decisions which are rooted in personal confidence, are fulfilling for who we know we are, and are beneficial for us as well as for our community, society as a whole, and the planet.

Getting in touch with ourselves and being informed on the issues surrounding our daily decisions and actions does require extra effort, but at this point it's necessary and we are supposed to be the most highly-evolved species on Earth, so it's a fact that we are capable. We all have the ability to get in touch with who we are, with our conscience and with our intrinsic values, and many of us also have the ability to do general research on issues meaningful to us because we have access to endless information in an instant.

There's truly no excuse for humans to be making uninformed, convenience-based choices which cause harm to ourselves, others, and the planet. There should be no question as to whether or not it's worth putting in the effort to be less impactful so that future generations can have the same freedoms, on the same biodiverse planet, that we have now. Remember, we have immense power in our choices. We can set examples, spread sustainable education, start a movement, influence the status quo, stand up to socially irresponsible practices, hold wrongdoers accountable, and make positive change, with our choices and actions, but we must make the conscious decision to do it.

Focusing In (on plastic)

It's not an easy task, taking on the responsibility of making conscientious choices to reduce our impact. In fact, it can be overwhelming to think of all the ways in which humans need to change our unsustainable habits to ensure a livable future for generations to come. However, like any large, seemingly impossible task, when we break it down and focus on it step-by-step, it becomes achievable. Putting some extra thought, time and energy into overcoming one issue at a time (or however many we feel we can take on) until, eventually, our overall mindset shifts to thinking sustainably and less-impactfully by habit, all the time.

Let's begin with the complex issue of 'plastic use' as an example. The severe over-usage of plastic in our world is out of control. Specifically and especially single-use plastic, because it's a one-time use of a substance that either never decomposes, or that eventually breaks down into toxic chemicals which leach into our water and food. As intelligent humans and consumers, how did we let it get to this point? There are many factors, but a big one is because our waste, in general, is an out-of-sight-out-of-mind concept. Nearly everything we consume these days has some form of packaging that's usually petroleum-based plastic, and once we get to the item we desire, its wrapping becomes garbage, which we discard and forget about forever. But the effects of that action will ripple, continuing to do no good, only harm, for the rest of its long lifespan. There's a good chance that one of the pieces of plastic trash that any one of us has discarded in the past and never thought about again, is currently wreaking its own little havoc on this environment we share with every other living thing on this planet. Together, we're slowly poisoning the oceans and destroying the environment that sustains us and all life, simply out of convenience for ourselves. So what can we do to reduce the inevitable damage done from plastic?

A few ways to reduce plastic waste immediately:
- Invest in reusables and actually use them. Use things like cloth shopping bags, cotton cloths in the kitchen (they can be washed, as opposed to sponges), bamboo to-go utensils, stainless or glass water bottles, insulated to-go cups, glass containers (for to-go food, leftovers, etc.) and anything else you can think of, in order to replace disposable plastic items with reusable ones.
- Find ways to reuse any plastic that would otherwise be tossed out after one use. Such as; to-go cups and containers, straws, bottles, plastic produce bags, sandwich and freezer bags, bubble wrap, etc. and push yourself to get creative!
- Buy food from farmer's markets and in bulk as often as possible to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging waste.

Several more involved ways to reduce plastic waste in general:
- Do your research! Most of us have a library and/or the internet easily accessible and we shouldn't take that for granted because information is powerful. We can search out solutions and get the facts of who (companies/organizations/people) and what (products/ideas) are contributing the most (positively and negatively) to the plastic problem.
- Vote for officials and legislations which support the reduction of petroleum-based products, etc. and write to already elected officials if they need to be informed.
- Call or write to companies of products that you may love but that overuse plastic, and urge them to create other packaging options so they won't lose your business.
- Invent solutions. There are innovative minds of all ages across the globe that may just need a bit of inspiration in order to spark an idea that could bring necessary change. If we put our mind to it, any of us are capable of creating solutions to plastic pollution.
- Educate others and spread knowledge of plastic pollution. When we get those around us involved, and they get those around them involved, etc., it makes a bigger and bigger difference.

**Put It Into Practice**

Ever have a difficult time seeing all the viral photos and videos circulating social media that expose the harm and destruction humans cause? Things like dying, homeless orangutans because of palm oil extraction, islands covered in waste and animals dead from plastic, or polar bears starving and their population declining due to climates changing; they are, indeed, hard to look at but we need to see it so that we understand what's happening, so we feel emotionally moved and responsible, so that we want to help change things in any way possible. We must focus more time and energy on actually doing something about it - not just reposting, sharing or commenting on it - but taking action to start a change. The ways in which we can be ECO-MAD are unlimited! We can EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS and MAKE A DIFFERENCE on so many levels! We don't have to make extravagant lifestyle changes if we don't want to, but we can absolutely focus on one issue at a time and we must begin immediately, there's no excuse not to and at least 7 billion reasons to try. Check your habits, tweak your actions, make all those little sustainable choices that will add up over time, then spread your knowledge with others to multiply the effect even more. Help create the movement, because we don't want to be the ones in history who let our unchecked consumption and greedy destruction ruin it for everyone and everything else...

Remember, We're the Solution

Throughout history, essential change and vital progress across the globe has been accomplished by movements of masses of people. Currently, we're at a pivotal point in the lifespan of our civilization. As our species keeps procreating at an exponential rate, it will only become more difficult to keep our planet livable, let alone beautiful and naturally diverse. The more we populate, the more space and resources we require as a species, and the more we selfishly seem to destroy anything in our way. If we continue down this path - devastating land, over-using limited natural resources, killing off the planet's biodiversity - we're basically destroying the very reasons we're so incredibly fortunate to be alive and conscious beings in this world. We need a movement away from this pattern of destruction.

Luckily, with high numbers of people, also comes more intelligence, influence and power, we just have to realize that our individual choices and actions collectively matter in the long-run. It's possible and necessary to shift our current, consumer-based, convenience-driven habits toward a much more conscientious and sustainable way of living. The shift starts with you and me, with those of us who already understand, and from here it only spreads.

If we have children, we should be extra sensitive to how the choices we make now will determine the quality of their future (not to mention that they learn about how to live from our example). The youth of the future will be inheriting a world that the we're creating today, so it's essential they are not only prepared but that they have all the advantages they can get. Each and every one of us has control over what we think, say and do, so there are no excuses to be made for continuing to take unconscious, destructive actions on an individual level. Recognizing our unsustainable habits, changing our consumptive ways, making less-impactful choices, leading by example, educating and inspiring others, pushing ourselves to be more innovative in long-term planning, these are ways to begin an ECO-MAD movement.

If individual actions seem irrelevant, think about an entire town, city, state or country of people collectively taking the same action and it becomes much more significant. This has never been more true than it is in the reality of our current world, where the collective actions of billions of us are causing negative consequences on our surroundings. Whether it's cigarette butts, plastic, over-packaging, over-processing, littering, food waste, resource depletion, or anything in between - we can help solve the issues if enough of us choose to be aware and conscientious of our decisions. Just because we may be able to avoid much of the turmoil in the world by turning a blind eye, that doesn't mean we should, because there will always be ways we can improve the global environment and society with our actions. Our power in numbers is especially important in a time where legislation may not act to protect the future of our natural world, those of us who care must step up to the task. We are the solution to the problems humans have created.

We, human beings, are the only creatures who have power in our choices and in every action we take, to create the sustainable future that all life on this planet deserves. We just have to make the decision to go ECO-MAD; EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS - MAKE A DIFFERENCE. It may begin with a few of us, but it can become a movement of many, a movement of purpose and progress, a movement for our future.

**Put It Into Practice**

Take some time to connect with yourself, to comprehend the magnitude of your individual choices and actions and the impact they have on others and our environment. How can we lessen our impact? How many ways can we tweak our habits and practices to make them even a tad more sustainable? There's a post on this blog that gives examples, but don't stop there, you're extremely intelligent and you can come up with your own solutions, too! It's going to take us all, trying our best, spreading the word, and working together, to really make a difference - a movement - and I know we can rise to the challenge. 

Forethought, Action, Follow-through

The previous post (below) contains links to two videos that present certain concepts and represent bigger ideas relating to the ECO-MAD message. The first is a 20 minute video titled "The Story of Stuff", which explains, simply and thoroughly, the devastating, unsustainable production/ consumption practices of our current, capitalistic society. It reveals an unhealthy, distracted and ultimately self-destructive habit that we've all grown too comfortable with perpetuating - mindless consumption. The (hopefully not conscious) practice of buying and disposing for convenience without regard for where stuff comes from, how long we really use it, where it goes after we discard it, or how all these things add up when multiplied by millions to create serious consequences.

Luckily, the second video provides some good news, the concept that our brain can form new habits. We hold the power in our own minds to change these detrimental ways, and once we break through that first barrier, the possibilities are endless. We can begin by forming new ECO-MAD habits like conscientious forethought, practical action, and thorough follow-through, so that no matter where we are in life or at any given moment in time, we can effortlessly EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS to MAKE A DIFFERENCE that could mean (literally) the world to future generations.

Forethought: careful thinking or planning about the future.

This is like setting goals and figuring out the steps to get those goals done. The more aware of ourselves, our habits, and our surroundings we are, the more we can plan goals to substitute convenient, unsustainable practices with more thought-out, conscious, sustainable day-to-day choices. Taking the time to think about what we'll be doing later in the day, week, year etc. allows us to be more prepared for, and capable of, making ECO-MAD choices.

Planning for the future before we make our daily decisions helps cut down on consumption of unnecessary stuff in all aspects of life. Forethought can be especially effective in improving sustainability of our day-to-day decisions and actions; like once we realize what disposable items we use daily, we can think of how to replace those things with reusable items, bypass them altogether, or at least cut down on waste by recycling, reusing, composting, etc. Things like reusable bags, reusable bottles and cups (insulated or not), reusable napkins and straws, reusable tupperware and utensils for leftovers or to-go food, are all great solutions for cutting down on daily wastefulness.

There are also concepts like recycling, buying second-hand possessions (reusing), composting, gardening, DIY, and many more that, with some forethought, can become part of our lifestyle to make a positive difference on an even bigger scale. We may even be inspired to put forethought into global issues, on an even more macro level. For example, with this blog I'm trying to tackle all of the above. Much forethought went into my creating ECO-MAD, and it's my way of trying to help alleviate some of what I believe to be the world's most severe problems, by raising awareness of all things, big and small, that humans can do to exercise the collective power we possess when we are more conscientious in our individual thoughts, choices, decisions and actions.

 Action: Something done or performed; act; deed.

Action is when we put our forethought to good use. Like when we hear there's rain in the forecast, so we make sure to pull out our umbrella so we remember it when we go out. We can put reusable bags in our vehicle or our school/work bag so we remember to take them into the store and use them; we can keep a reusable, insulated cup by the door or in our bag or vehicle so we can ask for our morning smoothie/coffee to-go in a sustainable way (unless we make it ourselves at home, in which case we most likely already use a non-disposable vessel); we can take our reusable bottle of water, possibly infused with fruit or herbs, so we aren't tempted to buy plastic throughout the day; we can make our own lunch and put it in reusable to-go containers, remembering to grab our reusable utensils/napkin and maybe carrying it all in a reusable bag, so that we don't have to buy any unhealthy or over-packaged food out of desperation or convenience (and if we do plan to eat out or get food from our favorite takeout place, we can still take our reusable to-go containers so we can try to get our takeout in a more sustainable way). These are all actions we consciously have control over in our lives and taking them regularly can help us collectively break out of any sort of disposable lifestyle. We must always keep pushing ourselves to find new ways to avoid wasting stuff and creating waste, even if it seems like more effort for us at first, it's urgent that we move away from a lifestyle based on convenient consumption.

Action can be taken on a bigger scale, too, because things like separating recyclables from our trash to cut down on waste, creating a compost to ease the effects of our food waste, or making our own products and buying things second-hand so less stuff gets used and wasted, are all helpful and within our control. Some of us may choose to take on topics that are more out of our individual control but still highly possible, like starting a local trash cleanup in our area to stop the spread of micro trash and litter, creating a non-profit or socially responsible business that positively affects society, or creatively finding solutions to ecological problems due to global demands. We can make positive change happen on many levels. If we are inspired and passionate enough about something, and we're willing to put in the time and energy, we can take action to improve our world in many ways and for generations to come.

Follow-through: the act of completing an action or process.

In the hopes of creating a cycle conducive to less consumption and lower-impact living that is also applicable to any daily regimen, we come full circle when we follow through. This is when we collect the sustainable, non-convenience items we've used throughout our day to rinse/wash them and put them where we'll remember them the next day or time we need them. It's using our compost for fertilizer to grow food in, it's taking used clothes to the second-hand or thrift store for others to reuse, it's reducing our plastic use and waste altogether instead of just recycling because if we follow-up we realize that even recycling isn't done everywhere or in the most sustainable way.

This is also where we take it another step further. Following through is about the end game and beyond. Like in sports - taking the shot, catching the ball, swinging the bat - all these actions are vital to the game but what's just as or more important is how the athlete chooses to proceed after those actions are taken. After our initial intention or goal has been carefully planned, acted upon, and met, what can we do to continue implementing the ideas, etc.? How can we maximize the potential, push the limits and continue to achieve positive, favorable outcomes? Once results have been realized, we followthrough in order to keep getting results and maybe even improve them. Followthrough is finding new ways to be more sustainable or less impactful, leading by example to educate and inspire others, and digging deeper than the surface to find information and facts when making decisions.

**Put It Into Practice**

We can put this into practice all the time - choices and actions big and small, all lifestyles, all people. Forethought, action, follow-through. We have the ability to make conscientious decisions about what we spend our time and energy on, the resources we use, the things we consume, what we discard and how. We can make informed, sustainable choices in all areas of our lives. Break any unsustainable habits and form better ones.
As an example, we all feel good intrinsically when we give back to others. In fact, many of us do this regularly and can easily do it in an ECO-MAD way. Whether we're volunteering, gift-giving or donating to a cause, it's important we put in the effort to research pertinent information. What does the organization stand for? Is my gift made in an ethical/sustainable way? What is my donated money used for? What is actually needed? (ie.Haiti, Indian Ocean, Katrina) If a company, organization, non-profit, etc., is legitimate then it should be transparent and these questions should be easily answered. Forethought, action, follow-through. Practice, practice, practice.

Using Conscience with Purpose

Nature is complex and methodical in its ways. Billions of years of trial and error, learning, growing, perfecting. Each and every thing within its realm serves a purpose, including that which we may not yet understand. Plants, minerals, animals, and every molecule in between, doing what they're meant to without question, without ceasing. Their processes are primal, intrinsic and significantly relevant; they've become rhythmic with the universe like the tide and the wind. Then there's us, modern-day humans. Our current process looks something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM&feature=youtu.be

Stuck in a man-made rut, we are capable of infinite possibilities using the influential teachings of nature, yet we are struggling to learn from its ancient wisdom. Humans possess the ability to conscientiously comprehend the extraordinary miracle of this world, and we are the only ones who can save or destroy it. So what's our purpose?

A baby salamander photographed among the redwoods of Northern California.

Are we to be overly consumed in material securities and superficial luxuries to the point that we're basically making a conscientious decision to remain unaware of what our lifestyle costs others and the planet? Are we too comfortable in our current ways of life to care about making changes that will benefit ourselves, others, and Earth in the future, before it's too late? For our children's sake, and their children's sake, let's hope not. It is possible to transform our habits, but we have to put our mind to it.

Or are humans meant to do something much more intentional, intelligent and positively life-changing with our unique abilities? All of us can conscientiously make choices and take chances that affect real, positive change in today's world. We are the only ones with this purpose, the only ones with the power. What's stopping us? We must quit acting on impulses of selfish convenience so we can take control of our decisions and actions. The more we spread the ECO-MAD message and the more we EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS, the more it will all add up to MAKE A (HUGE) DIFFERENCE!

**Put It Into Practice**

Many of us are privileged in that we have access to education, information and resources that many others don't have. Because of this advantage, we are provided with more opportunity to seek out facts, make our own connections and inferences, form our own opinions on what we know to be true, and base our decisions on them. We also have a responsibility, to lead by example and spread the knowledge to those who unfortunately have no way of knowing better (lack of education, information, resources, etc.). A movement; making as many conscientious, sustainable choices and changes in our everyday lifestyles as we can, no matter how big or small, and urging others to do the same. Learning, as a global society, to take each action with the utmost regard for its impacts and consequences on others and on nature's ability to function, instead of working against and destroying the natural process that's been in the making for billions of years. Thoughts, ideas, actions, communications and shared wisdom that add up to a purpose much bigger than all of us.

Some information on nature as inspiration for creative innovation: https://biomimicry.org

See the Big Picture; It's the Little Things

It's not about an extravagant lifestyle change for everyone. What we can all do is become much more conscientious of all the little decisions we constantly encounter and adjust the choices we make to be less impactful on the world. EXERTING CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS. This can be learned and integrated into any lifestyle, and it really does MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Take into consideration each and every action an average person, or family, makes throughout a day or week. Waking up and getting ready to go to school or work, afternoon activities, chores, dinner, after dinner activities, getting ready for bed. There are ways to tweak tiny details of these routine actions (concentrate on the little things) so when they add up over time and multiply by global population (when we look at the big picture), our collective actions have a more positive, sustainable outcome than they otherwise would.

• Getting Ready for the day - Think about all the things we do to get ready each morning and how we can practice conscientious awareness as we do them. 
• Showering, brushing teeth, doing hair, washing face, doing makeup etc. - Try to always be conscious of things like water usage and how much you use of your products. Cutting down to the minimal amount necessary also ensures you get the most out of the well-earned dollars you've spent. Pay attention to the ingredients in products used on your body, what the products are packaged in, where they're made and by whom, if they're tested on animals or not, where they're sold, these sorts of details are important. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, shave cream/gel, face wash, toothpaste, lotion, cream, gel, wax, deodorant, cologne/perfume, makeup, sunscreen; most of these soak into your body (to some degree) and many of them are made with chemicals or ingredients that aren't so good for your body or the environment. Making your own products is the best way to avoid intrusive or inhumane ingredients (since you know exactly what's in it and how it's made) and pesky packaging (because you can use reusable containers and buy ingredients in bulk). If it isn't possible to substitute some, or even one, of your daily products for homemade, then try to support companies, products and people that are environmentally/ socially responsible. Educating yourself on - and being conscientious of - the important details of the products you make or buy can help you choose the more sustainable, healthier option for you and the planet. The Environmental Working Group has a database on their website that rates and verifies 'eco-friendly' products, and their site has some interesting info.: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ (for toiletries specifically). The following website has a list of some 'green' brands and suppliers:  http://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/toiletries-cosmetics/some-brands-suppliers. The Permaculture Research Institute website has a great article on 'DIY hygiene' for 'greener grooming':  http://permaculturenews.org/2014/06/19/diy-hygiene-greener-grooming/. And here's a blog that has collected over 100 do-it-yourself recipes for personal hygiene care:  http://dontmesswithmama.com/100-diy-beauty-recipes/.
• Getting dressed - Note the fabric of your clothes, which companies make them, where they're made and by whom, and where they were bought. Organic cotton or hemp are good choices, from ethical companies certified sustainable or 'green'. Made in the USA (not China, Indonesia, Mexico, etc.) is a good thing to support, or fair trade, and anything bought or made completely from smaller, local shops (co-ops, family-owned, for example) or individuals is best because in addition to other advantages it also helps stimulate your local economy. Sourcing or making your own material to make clothes yourself is a nearly 100% sustainable option, but maybe a little extreme for some. Don't forget to note the same details about shoes, jewelry, accessories and anything else possibly needed for the day (hat, umbrella, book bag, etc.) because they all come from somewhere, made out of something, by someone! Again, putting in some extra effort to research the details will assist you in making more conscientious choices about your consumption habits. This video, The Story of Stuff, perfectly explains the current situation of our consumption-based, earn-and-spend, capitalism economy and the threat it poses to the future of our planet (it has animation and is great to watch with kids!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM&feature=youtu.be. This article has information on more ethical clothing companies:  http://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-clothing. Here's a site which touches on many 'eco' and 'green' topics. It has a specific section with Sustainable Clothing Solutions but the site is full of all sorts of info to explore and learn:  http://www.globalstewards.org/clothing.htm.
• Eating breakfast and making lunch - As with the first two categories, it's important to question yourself about the details of your food consumption habits. Where did I buy it? Who grew/produced it? What's in it? How is it packaged and how is it disposed of? As with other products which affect the body, even more so with what you eat, it's crucial to know what exactly is in your food and to avoid harmful toxins and chemicals. Eating whole foods means less ingredients, less toxins and less packaging - especially if you grow or make whatever you can yourself. There are many food items that can be bought in bulk, too, for the things you must purchase. Supporting local farmers' stands and markets helps the local economy, as well as offers a variety of locally sourced food that is healthier (fruits, veggies, free-range meats and eggs, often with grass-fed and organic options) less-impactful (less packaging, less distance traveled for distribution, can use reusable bags) and money-saving (no transportation or middle-man costs means low prices for great produce). Remember, locally owned co-ops or natural food stores will often have more conscientious options than bigger, chain stores. This website has information about conscientious eating practices, among other things:  http://beyondfactoryfarming.org/get-informed/consumer-choice/conscientious-eating.  Here's a Time article with over 30 tips on eating in a more enviro-friendly way:  http://healthland.time.com/2012/08/24/33-ways-to-eat-environmentally-friendly/.  And this article has some eco-friendly eating tips for families:  http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/article-earthday-greeneating.html. 
• Going to school, work, etc. - To be conscientious of details throughout even the busiest times of the day, like during work or school, is tough but it's also meaningful and possible. Keep in mind resources and products consumed in this time and how much of them. Can you walk, bike, take public transportation or carpool with others to save fossil fuels? How/what can you turn off/power down to conserve energy? What can you do to create less food waste or any waste throughout the day? There's also intrinsic human values to be aware of such as being helpful and kind to others and the earth, assisting those in need or doing a good deed (like picking up trash) for instance. Even our attitudes towards things like other people, work or school, and all the little details in between, are something we can be conscious of and improve on if we choose. Here is an interesting post by Leo Babauta emphasizing similar ideas: http://zenhabits.net/conscious/.
• Afternoon activities, hobbies and chores - It's good for us (humans) to have these things, and it's even better if some extracurricular activities are beneficial to, not only ourselves, but others and the environment, as well. Things that make people happy and healthy like music and exercise are important, but so are things like volunteering or picking up trash, which also helps the earth and our fellow humans on it. From activities like gardening and art, to chores like loading the dishwasher, and everything in between, they all require decisions which can be made in a way that produces a more favorable outcome for all. Gardening can be done as often and sustainably as possible to conserve resources while getting more plants in the ground (for food, oxygen, beauty, etc.). Art in all its forms can be done in eco-friendly ways and is often an impactful way to raise awareness of issues. Chores can always be done in ways that are more conscientious, too. For example, loading the dishwasher, space should be fully utilized in order to conserve water, energy and product. Also, certain companies sell biodegradable dishwasher soap that comes in a cardboard box, or you can even make it at home pretty easily. When doing laundry, try to recognize anything that may not actually need to be washed (maybe it was only worn once and has no smells nor stains, or, if you have kids, maybe worn only five minutes and then strewn onto the floor), hang dry whenever possible to really conserve energy, and be cautious what you're using to wash the clothes that sit on your skin for hours at a time. Again, avoiding toxins and chemicals is ideal for our bodies and for the water which eventually flushes back into the environment. Here are more chore-efficiency ideas: http://www.enerchange.org/2012/10/greenify-your-household-chores/.
• Dinner - Same applies as with breakfast and lunch. The more you can conscientiously prepare for your day or week or certain situations, especially with food, the less waste you will create. For example: using your reusable cup for your morning coffee, tea, juice or smoothie; remembering the reusable bags (also rinsing and reusing the plastic produce bags) for grocery trips; buying whole foods that come in less packaging (bulk, grains, fruits, veggies) from local farms/markets/grocers; using reusable containers for leftovers (glass Pyrex is great); eating out at restaurants less to save money and avoid things like food waste or needing a to-go container (of which you can always bring your own); setting up a compost, even a small one, and maybe pots or beds with fruits or veggies (depending on climate and space availability) so you have free fertilizer and don't have to buy as much produce.
• Evening activities, events - What is it you choose to spend your money on or your time doing? Can you make whatever it is more conscientiously helpful in any little way? Or less harmfully impactful? 
• Bedtime - Just like getting ready in the morning, and being aware of all the same things. 

No one can be perfect about this stuff one hundred percent of the time and, again, that's not the point. The goal is to realize that each new choice (little things) is another chance to lessen our negative impact, and to make this world a little better somehow, not worse for future generations (big picture).

**Put It Into Practice**

What we choose to buy and where we choose to buy it (the little things), really has impact. In mass numbers, which the world clearly has, consumers have purchasing power that can determine  production practices (the big picture)! When the demand is high for companies and products that are conscious of the important details, it can become trendy and popular, others will want to follow suit and then, hopefully, it becomes the norm. This can happen with baby steps; becoming aware of our daily decisions, educating ourselves on our options and what our choices mean, and slowly integrating that knowledge and conscientiousness into our daily lives as much as possible because we are all consumers. We may not be able to be ECO-MAD all the time but that shouldn't stop us from trying to go ECO-MAD any chance we get. Remember, each action we take as individuals, and its consequences good or bad, collectively adds up and really matters in the long-run. We have control over our choices, and our future depends on us.