I often speak about my belief in the Power of One, the power each of us has to make a difference in this world. Sometimes the problems we face as human beings can seem insurmountable, but they are not. Together we can create a better world and a kinder planet, but someone has to take the first step. The second step is easier, the third step easier still. That’s when you find other people following you.
Here are a few of the things that inspire me to take a step: Earth Hour; Light It Up Blue for Autism Speaks; Her Haven, a new organization I’ve joined as a board member; and sharing what I know about eco-conscious living.
EARTH HOUR 2013
Dare the World to Save the Planet. Switch off your lights on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30 p.m. your local time, and show the world what you’re willing to do. The world is using the equivalent of one and a half planets to support life on earth today. Earth Hour is the single, largest, symbolic mass participation event in the world. Born our of a hope that it could mobilize people to take action on climate change, Earth Hour now inspires a global community of millions of people in 7,001 cities and towns across 152 countries and territories to switch lights off as a massive show of concern for the environment.
There is no doubt that the world is facing some of the most critical environmental challenges in history. That may make a sustainable future seem difficult to imagine, but it is possible. Change this big needs you. It needs every one of us. Join the global community at Earth Hour to see where change is already underway.
Iconic landmarks around the globe – including the Empire State Building in New York City and Willis Tower in Chicago along with the CN Tower in Toronto and Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia – as well as airports, bridges, museums, concert halls, restaurants, hospitals, and retail stores, are among more than 100 structures in over 16 U.S. cities and nine countries around the world lthat lit up in bright blue on the evening of April 1, 2010 – the first night of Autism Awareness Month in the United States and the eve of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).
Here are a few ways you can help in 2013:
- Wear your Autism Speaks puzzle piece pin every day throughout the month of April, and tell people about autism if they ask about it. To purchase your pin and other Light It Up Blue items, visit the shop at autismspeaks.org
- Wear blue clothing and ask your friends, co-workers and schools to wear blue too.
- Take a group photo and upload it to www.lightitupblue.org
- Purchase blue light bulbs and lanterns from Home Depot and replace your outdoor lighting with these blue bulbs, or you can buy blue lighting filters to cover existing lighting.
- Buy a Light It Up Blue yard sign to show your support throughout your community
- Visit www.lightitupblue.org and download the free Light It Up Blue iPhone application so you can add your photos to the Light It Up Blue website. Visit the website for lots more ideas!
HER HAVEN
I recently was invited to join the board of a wonderful charitable organization called Her Haven, dedicated to giving women in need a serene and comfortable space for themselves, Her Haven aims to honor women who are inspiring, deserving and giving by redesigning a room in their home or work environment. I’ll be providing information on sustainable design and keeping it “green” for the clients helped by Her Haven. Visit their website here to find out ways that you can help us in our mission to design a difference.
SPREADING THE WORD
Debbie Phillips, founder of the fabulous organization Women on Fire, a membership organization of women dedicated to making a difference in the world, interviewed me on Monday, February 18th. She wanted me to share my passionate belief that A Healthy Home is the Ultimate Luxury with her 3,000+ dynamic followers. We talked about the fact that when we begin to embrace the idea of change and holistic living, we must first start in our own homes.
My website, blog, Facebook page and personal outreach efforts are all dedicated to helping people understand the importance of sustainable design and healthy lifestyles. I hope if I’ve been able to help you learn more, that you’ll pay it forward by sharing my social networking sites with your friends and family.
It all begins with education. I’ve also been asked to work with a Sustainable Design class at Keane University, and will be skyping with them on March 27th. I’m excited by the opportunities I’ve been given to share the knowledge I have gained in my years of living an eco-elegant life, and sharing it with my clients, friends and followers.
Theodore Roosevelt said to “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” That’s what I’m doing. I hope you’ll do it, too.