Week 9--Sunday Night--"Buy Recycled"

Mother Earth, treehugger, "going green"...all words to explain what I am not consistently--conscientious about the planet.  However, I have been attempting to recycle when I see an opportunity.  In fact, I took a load of aluminum cans and a box of fashion magazines to the recycling center today--before this week's card was drawn. Go me.

Buy recycled; "So sometimes it's a little browner and sometimes it's a little grayer or sometimes it's a little rougher and often times it costs a little bit more, but buy recycled whenever possible anyway."

This week it looks as though I am to "make a difference" for Earth. I recycle; I use plastic bags from weekly shopping trips to super-mega marts as trash bags around the house.  I also put into use the re-usable grocery bags--now what I need to be better at doing is using those recyclable green fabric bags so I don't end up with a mountain of generic plastic bags.  Duh me.

One thing I don't do is buy loads of bottled water; I re-use plastic bottles--which, as I found out, is not a bad thing if you clean the bottles after every use.  Found this recycling symbol.  I like it; it's a cross between modern and art deco with a bit of African textile look to it.  Go Earth!

Week 8--Friday Night

What a week!  Contending with a migraine flareup starting Monday, a night class, two sleepless nights, one twelve hour sleep fest and a co-worker party last night made for a week that threw my entire sleep/wake cycle off!  I did, however, re-watch in the wee hours of the morning two very good movies:  The Young Victoria and Jane Austen's Persuasion (2008 BBC Version).

As to how I fared the last three days not walking away angry...I do remember walking away from my desk frustrated with customer service...but I simmered down with a nice walk around the office later that day.  I've spent the remainder of the last two days hence sleeping or working on projects.

Week 8--Tuesday Evening

I apologized quite a bit today; not, however, the apologizing for no reason but honest requests for taking up people's valuable time to hear me complain or vent.  I simply felt a pressing urge to do so. 

Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself speak?  Sometimes I need a break from me; no anger today--except a brief flood of frustration for the current medical billing situation in our country, of which I am one of millions paying too much for necessary medical care.  Nite.

Week 8--Tuesday Early AM

I'm happy to report that I did not walk away angry on Monday, and from a certain perspective, several events occurred that normally would have pushed me off balance.  From a bird's eye view these events included two sessions of constructive criticism--always exhausting.  A frustrating phone call, and finally, news that I would have one more hoop to jump through to meet a short-term goal.

It's not to say that I'm not discouraged a bit by today's events--the wind in my sails has died down a bit--but I was not as passionately reactive as I may have been a few weeks earlier.  In truth there are very few reasons to be angry--it's such an exhausting emotion--it sucks the energy out of every cell.  Speaking of energy, I'm wiped out!

Week 8--Sunday--"Don't Walk Away Angry"

This week's card choice is:  "Don't Walk Away Angry." 

The card reads, "Learn how to fight fairly.  Fight to resolve differences, not to win.  In fact, maybe after a short respite and a few deep breaths, you could shift what started out as an argument into a constructive discussion.  Taking a mutually agreed upon break is one thing, but giving up or walking away angry is another.  This only prolongs and escalates an angry mood indefinitely.  If you find your fights quickly get out of control, consider reading a book on fair fighting or seeking out a third part to referee."

I italicized a section of the description for a purpose; I have never heard this advice explained in this manner.  Fighting not to win is contrary to our contemporary culture, seen often in movies and advertising.  Besides, capitalism is all about being the "big dog."  What do I take from this?  On first blush, it appears that being angry over something is not a bad thing in and of itself; anger can indicated something is wrong.  As the Bible reminds us in Ephesians 4:26, "Be you angry, yet do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath."  The key, then, is to constructively use anger. 

I see many people use their anger and fight to be right; they fight to justify their position (even when in the wrong), not aware that they manner in which they fight harms even friends and family.  What a powerful emotion...

From http://www.positive-way.com/howto2.htm are nine steps on fighting fairly:

"How to Fight Fair in your Marriage and Other Relationships."

1. Be Respectful.
2. Keep the problem the problem.
3. Stay on one subject.
4. Use time-outs as needed.
5. Listen for understanding.
6. Don’t mind read your partner
7. Try to see things from your partner’s point of view
8. Seek to solve the problem.
9. Forgive and accept each other.

Week 7--Saturday Night

Today marks my last day for this make a difference card to "Be in Nature" for the week.  We walked the whippets on the Monon; it was wonderful.  The whips were happy, I was happy, my hubby was happy, the warm sun was shining, the wind was cool, people were out and about and smiling, and the river's water was strong and flowing rapidly.  Today, simply, was a perfect day to be outside!

The Monon Trail

Week 7--Friday Night

Beautiful day again here in central Indiana; I loved it!  Sun--I crave sun--not the boiling, broiling, crustacean-inducing-color giver of summer, but the gentle, warm, energizing sun of late Spring.  I swear I'm a solar panel...one day in the sun for me will go a long way for peace and tranquility (that may be going too far).  Let's just say that a full day's sun--heck--even twenty minutes of sun exposure will energize and enhance my mood.  If you catch me outside, you're much more likely to catch me smiling and carefree.

I heard a babbling brook yesterday while finishing my exercise bout; it wasn't quite as "babbling" today since the snow has all but vanished.  However, the sound of running water over stones was music to my ears.  Why is that sound so comforting to many people?  I have one of those Zen-inspired indoor water features; the water trickles from the top to the base and in between runs over two or three ceramic outcroppings creating the softest sound.  I like it. 

Reflective moment:  I hypothesize that when humans partake in the splendor, beauty, and sheer unpredictability of "Nature" they tend to think outside themselves, believe in something more than themselves and put it all into perspective.  Perspective keeps us grounded; being a "grounded" person can positively affect others' lives and perhaps even make a difference.