I couldn't help but think of Annalisa Crawford's book titled: You. I. Us.
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| Annalisa's book - link at end |
- a compilation of compelling short stories ... with a comment at the end ... "What If We Didn't"?
In other words my brain is not in gear for the #WAWTB posting due this month.
So I got to thinking about our own personal social responsibilities to our world ... the people around us, our families, our friends, and our communities ...
How we can make life (the air and earth) easier and better for today, as well as for all future generations ...
... being sensible with rubbish, don't waste, not dumping stuff, and then especially if we can buy stuff that we really need, preferably without packaging ... don't just buy for the sake of it: give it a go ...
Then of course we can thank people for things, smile more, offer to help others, think before we speak ... and all those free things that will give everyone (most!) a happier day ... and something to remember.
You. I. Us. Be positive in all things ... there's always another side to things, we can opt for the plus side ... share with others - don't be exclusive ... giving (and sharing) is better than taking ...
That's Me, or You, or Us for this posting in the We Are The World Blogfest for January ...
We Are The World - In Darkness, Be Light ...
be there for others and our future generations ...
This is the link for Annalisa's book: "You. I. Us."
(NB its the American .com Amazon site)
If you would like to take part in this blogfest via Damyanti's blog, sign up in the link here and please help spread the word on social media via the hashtag #WATWB.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
55 comments:
This is a lovely simple post with the common sense needed for the world - be positive, polite, caring, sharing, and of course one should read...and yes, Annalisa's book is a good place to start. Very nice. Enjoy your weekend. No dumping!
Sadly you are right Hilary - we all need constant reminding - I try to be sensitive in all areas, but it is easy to forget. Thank you for the pointer to Annalise's book - another one to add to my list :) Have a good weekend. Fil x
Reduce, reuse, recyle, give, share and be nice kind of sums it up. Good reminder, Hilary.
Just one world for us, time to wake up and realize it.
There are a lot of things we can do as individuals to make a difference.
Sometimes it feels so overwhelming. Some nice things one can do.
If we all could do just one thing a day - every day - what a wonderful clean world this would be.
You are right HIlary. One tends to say "I can't make much difference" but if you really try, you can make a difference in things around you and that obviously spreads. If people feel better they behave better to others and so on. Plus buy because you need and not because you want.
We often overlook those around us in need. It is too easy for some. I think of a song,"Follow Your Heart" and laugh how i have all my life.It has made me rich in my heart and soul.
Timely post for my current thoughts. I just wrote a post with my geek hat on about digital rights and responsibilities. Sure we know how great the internet is but it's our responsibility to keep it that way. Don't litter (don't spam or Phish). Don't abuse the environment (don't think 'I'm anonymous; I don't have to care for the virtual world'). Offer help (provide resources without expecting payment--be a good neighbor).
Nice, Hilary.
@ Joanne - thanks so much ... it just seemed right at the moment to write some we can all easily do and remember ... I'll be good today ... Annalisa's book is a lovely warm read highlighting how things can improve ...
@ Fil - we all do need constant reminding don't we ... but it's all too easy to forget. Glad you've got Annalisa's book on your list ...
@ Linda - thanks ... you've put it even more simply ...
@ Kay - yes we are all in the same boat and really this earth deserves better from its theoretical superior humans ...
@ Alex - you're so right ... we can always be doing things that ease this world ...
@ Liz - it's just concentrating on ourselves and not worrying about the larger world ... keeping it simple still helps others ...
@ Sandie - we can definitely do one thing each day ... smile more - but you're right each little thing would help this world stay cleaner ...
@ Jo - yes that butterfly effect ... what we do spreads to others - all local help is always welcome ... and only buy if we need ... essential advice ...
@ Steve - "Follow Your Heart" is a song I don't know - but being relatively unmusical, that's easy to understand. It's a good maxim to live by ... be happy and follow your heart, always cheers others along the way - making us all rich in our hearts and souls - don't disappoint others ...
@ Jacqui - thankfully I just remember your geek moniker! This post seems to be chiming in with others' re the #WATWB posts ... and I'll be over to this new post.
You've mentioned some very relevant aspects too ... always help and be responsible ... just improves everyone's lives.
Cheers to you all - so pleased this rings true ... here's to a fruitful weekend for those around me ... and whatever is left of your weekends - similar actions and thoughts for you ... thanks for your visits and endorsing comments - Hilary
Such simple truths. I think your head was exactly where it needed to be for this #WATWB. Sometimes the most basic things, like being kind and positive, are what we need reminded of the most.
Excellent point!
Protecting the Earth is everyone's responsibility.
What would happen if it had been known as "Child Earth" instead of "Mother Earth"? Would people better understand their role?
The little things add up, especially when everyone does them. We recycle and since I am vegan and my husband mostly vegetarian, we don't contribute to the pollution from factory farming. (Which is really bad here from the pig farms.)
What a brilliant #WATWB post, Hilary. Reminders of small and large ways we can make a difference every day in many ways. Thank you for all of them.
I loved this Hilary. It's certainly an appropriate post for today's world. And thanks for introducing us to the book too. :) Happy weekend! :)
I try I try I try but somedays tired old and cranky reading the disasters here and everywhere nowadays it's very hard. Though as I look back on several generations of students I taught I REMAIN Optimistic that they will not only survive but prevail regardless of the mess my generation has left behind....:)
@ Lynda - that's about the level I'm at ... simple postings - and we do need these reminders so often. So I'm glad you see things from my POV!!
@ Lenni - thank you ... we should be protecting the earth. Perhaps we should start calling the earth child - it might resonate better - good point ...
@ Diane - yes those little things make such a difference. I know you're vegan and therefore don't consume too much ... I don't like too much meat - yet now I'm now living on a dairy farm!!! These cousins do look after all their animals ...
@ Emily - it is easy to smile and be kind .. opens so many doors - as you will know by being in Ecuador ...
@ Debby - thanks so much ... and glad you took note of the book ... I think I have it at home ... but I may get a copy here ...
@ Troutbirder - it's so easy to be cranky at times, and then all settles down and life is rosy!! I agree I remain optimistic that our world will survive for many a thousand year to come ... and we might live happily for a while longer ...
Thanks everyone - so glad my simple message #WATWB passed muster - cheers Hilary
Great post Hilary - the simple things in life, just being aware of your actions and consequences, realising that each individual action counts ... thank you for the reminder :)
A lovely clear, succinct and important message, Hilary. I fear the internet has made many less sensitive to others' feelings too, so this is a useful reminder. Thank you!
There's a hymn we used to sing in church years ago: "Brighten the Corner Where You Are." As individuals, we may not be able to change the entire world or solve all of its problems, but we can make a big difference in our own little corners of it. If we join forces with others, we can make an even greater impact.
Nice post, Hilary! Cheers!
I do what I can, but could definitely do more. I'll check that book out.
I love this! Smiling more is free. We can pass out smiles to people and treat others with more patience. We have no idea what is going on in other people's lives and the stress they may be going through.
I have been trying to be very mindful of what I buy. If something comes in a jar- I try to re-purpose it when I am done. If we all do our best to create less waste the world will be a better place. Now- if I could just get the people who litter to use a garbage can by the end of 2018- I would be grinning from ear to ear all the time (litter really pains me).
Have a sunshiny day and week! Smiles and hugs!
~Jess
Thanks so much for mentioning my book, Hilary!
I'm glad to hear about the current push to eliminate disposable plastic. A few people are complaining, but - as with taking our own bags to the supermarket - it'll become second nature in a few years to take reusable cups into coffee shops etc. We definitely have to think about the long term - the future has crept up on us!
@ Susan - it is the simpler things that are so easy to do - yet we so often forget. Glad the reminder helps ...
@ Val - I think you might be right ... that the impersonal aspects of life have crept through into our normal existences .. but glad you think this reminder helps ...
@ Susan - that's a lovely hymn ... I'm not sure I've ever heard of it before ... but it goes on to:
"Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are."
Some wonderful words here ... we can brighten our own corner so easily ... where we then help so many others too ...
@ Lynn - Annalisa's book is worth reading and I do love the title: You. I. Us. we are in the world together we can so easily do the little things ...
@ Jess - I learnt about stress when my mother was ill - and realised I never knew what others might be going through as I struggled with my mother's and subsequently my uncle's illnesses ... it taught me to look at things from the other perspective.
I'm taking my own bags here now I'm in Canada ... I'd got used to doing that when I was home in the UK. Yes we were brought up in the make do and mend era ...
Oh litter - and littering ... just drives me nuts!
I do smile when things are looked after and loved - it's visible and all around us ... just needs to be encouraged. Yet we need to let nature do its thing ... so many species live within nature's decomposition ...
@ Annalisa - sorry caught you when you were away ... but your book and the title appealed ... and certainly the stories resonate.
Plastic is terrible - they're doing tests here and I'm 'afraid' I'm sure I'm eating tiny pieces of plastic that's found in the fish. I'm taking my bags around with me - so I don't need new ones - I've never bought water, nor take away coffee cups ... just not my nature: but probably my age helps here ...
Thanks so much to you all - lovely to see the comments and realise we're all talking from the same hymn sheet ... or Louis Armstrong's song: "When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) ... here's to be happier and smilier in our local and home surroundings ... cheers Hilary
Some days I wonder if I will ever have consistent positive thoughts. I do compliment people whenever i can; and I will pick up someone else's trash instead of just walk past. Hopefully, those are a few good things I do for the world.
However, solar power will never be atop my home, lol.
I like to think like that. Every little kindness to people or the Earth does some good. Every time I'm not wasteful. Hold a door for someone. Sincerely say thank you to a clerk at a store.
Nice reminder Hilary, and one that serves us well with frequent repeating I think. I've really been thinking about consumerism lately, and what a different world it is from the one our grandmothers lived in. In one way that makes me incredibly sad, and in another it actually makes me hopeful. If we were able to shift so incredibly fast in one direction, I hold that it's possible to do so in another.
I appreciate the heads up about Annalisa's book - it will be going on my reading list.
I actually like what you have done, Hilary. You gave us a brief book review (and we all need short story reads at times) that reminds us to look beyond our needs to what helps our community and work. Thanks for sharing and your dedicated support and commenting on our WATWB.
Good message and advice for making the world a little bit better.
Very well said, Hilary. It doesn't take much to make a difference, and usually it's at no cost to ourselves. In fact, it's good for our own soul as well as the world.
So true. I'm trying to at least make the world a little better for people around me, but sometimes it feels like an uphill battle.
@ Donna - I was never particularly bad at positive thoughts ... but sometimes I'd react and get cross ... now since my mother was ill I rarely do - having seen both sides of life ... when things were really difficult for her - I was struggling to remain with it. I do pick up trash ... if it's dropped around me ... I think I'd put solar heating up - it is here ...
@ Susan - it does help ... I'm calmer, I think - and have that little extra time, and yes hold the door, let others go first occasionally etc etc and those thank yous with smiles - essential parts of life ...
@ Deborah - we do need to be reminded that we're not in a total rush at life and have time for these 'niceties'. Life was so different all those years ago wasn't it - and yet we're so lucky we have so many things to make life easier ... which we should appreciate more. I agree let's hope we can not be greedy to speed on - and can take time to assimilate our good fortune with all the developments in this day and age.
Thanks for putting Annalisa's book on your TBR list ...
@ Simon - oh that's great to read you've enjoyed the link to Annalisa's book ... I really must get reading more. It's a pleasure to be a part of the #WATWB ...
@ Sage - thank you ... we all need to be doing our bit too ...
@ Nick - exactly ... it is no cost to ourselves and makes others happier and then makes us happy as we've 'done good' ... however small.
@ Misha - well done - you've a lot on your plate ... so good luck with all your doing - take care ...
Thanks so much for your visits to this #WAWTB posting ... have good weeks - cheers Hilary
I still have to read You. I. Us.
I love to recycle, and I’m trying to do more for others, even little things.
I've been involved in our community's Green Program for years. I'm now working toward reusing rather that recycling. Milk bottles, not cartons. Glass storage containers, not plastic. Whatever I can do. It's not much, but it's something.
Lovely post, but I always expect that.
Love this post Hilary - it really is that simple for all of us to make a difference to the world.
Have a lovely week.
Have bookmarked her book for Friday ... payday. Will be seeing you more, and a few select others. Minimal blogging, as you can see from the blog I just put up. Keeping it simple ... a necessity. Jen and I waving to you on your temporary island home ~~~ :)
Me again. I thought above comment would take you to my new blogspot blog and it goes to Google+ which I never use. Ugh. Sigh. This is my new blog: https://ann-jenbestblog.blogspot.com/ Everything is getting SO complicated. I'm always silently crying HELP. Stay positive like my friend Hilary. :) :)
Keeping it simple is often the best. Just one planet to share among the billions - might as well look after it!
The book title sounds very interesting. Thanks for the reco. Hope all is well with you.
I love, love, love this post! There are so many things we can do, including the offer of kindness, and it's all FREE. Thanks for sharing such wonderful words of wisdom and Happy Tuesday to you! Hugs...RO
@ Chrys - I love those sorts of books - where we read short stories about people helping themselves, their families and others: but reminding us. I certainly don't waste - so good for you ... recycling as much as possible.
@ Lee - that's wonderful to read ... that you have a Green Program and you work with it. Reusing ... we can do so much of that as well ... and not use plastic at all if pos: what you're doing is definitely something ...
@ Pam - thank you ... we can all do something/s and help others in some way ...
@ Ann - that's good you've started a blog ... and it'll be good to see you here. Now we've got your blog address in your 2nd comment - we can access you ... but you need a post for us to be able to comment!! I'm sure you can delete G+.
Everything is simple ... if we gently look at things ... if I panic - then things become a nightmare ... and I can't work through them.
@ Nila - yes we do have just one planet for us all - and we, as you say, might as well look after it.
The book title is so appropriate for Annalisa's book, as too here I though ...
@ RO - it's remembering all those small things at home or in the area we live ... and they are usually free and helpful to others. Simple words of wisdom - shared through the ages ...
Thanks everyone so much for visiting - there's always ways we can help others ... take care - we have a brief spell without any rain and can see the sun - wonderful ... lots of reasons to smile!! Cheers Hilary
You're right that there's always another side to things.
Be positive! Yup. I try to be, even when I'm not, if you know what I mean.
I sometimes think we as a human race are so selfish, me included. I do things without thinking how they might impact others and the world in general. And that's not cool. :)
Great post!
Teresa
Hi human, Hilary,
A most thoughtful pawst, my kind human friend. Words of wisdom as the legacy humans must leave to future living creatures of all types is to make this a cleaner, greener, more compassionate world.
Indeed, be pawsitive in all things.
Thank you for your pawst, human, Hilary.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny 🐶😀
In darkness be light. I love that because it's so true. You never know what an impact your words or actions can make to one person. Even a smile can make a difference to someone. Great post, Hilary..then again, aren't they all from you?
Have a beachy week!
Elsie
@ Patsy - yes ... we never know what's going on in others' lives ... so we need to be kind to all.
@ Holly - be positive ... that I try to do - yes even when I'm not = so I do know what you mean.
@ Teresa - aren't we selfish a lot of the time - I am too ...and remind myself to think of others ... then get cross when the same isn't reciprocated ... funny old life!! I try and adhere to what is commonly regarded as 'decent behaviour' ...
@ Penny - good to see you ... and yes we all hope to live in a cleaner, greener and more compassionate world - so we should all practice that ... and be positive: I'm lucky that way re my positive attitude.
@ Elsie - that maxim "In darkness, Be Light" is such a good one isn't it? As you say it is so true. Thanks so much for the compliment - really appreciated ... that smile definitely makes so much difference ...
Thanks to you all - lovely to have your comments and to know that we'll all be making someone's life more cheerful today - that smile, that thoughtfulness ... cheers Hilary
Smile more and be grateful! I like that! Thanks for sharing the message!
I agree that each one of us can do something each day to make a positive impact on the world around us. Thanks for sharing your positive outlook, this book, and most of all being a part of #WATWB
@ Sherry - thanks ... it is so simple to smile more ... glad the message rang true ...
@ Lynn - we can always improve others' days by just being kind ... and all those simple things helping others ...
Cheers and thanks for being here - Hilary
Always be the light in the world. For everyone realizes there is far too much darkness here already. Thanks so much for sharing this with your followers, Hilary. Enjoy your weekend!
Hi Victoria Marie - yes always be the light in our worlds. Not always easy to do, but one we should aspire to - taking the darkness away ... I'm just glad you appreciated the thoughts expressed here ... cheers Hilary
Hi, Hilary - Lovely to 'meet' you and your blog. I appreciate your simple but powerful message here. I agree that this message is the essence of #WATWB. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Its a simple and sweet post, simple truths are the greatest, thanks for highlighting the simple things we can do to make a difference; I am sure all of us can make a difference in this world that needs to focus on the positive.
@ Donna - many thanks for coming back here ... so interesting to know you're further up the island - somewhere I need to get to in due course. So pleased to you're in the #WATWB as well ... and your take for this month was a local man doing so much in your community ...
@ Angela - simple things are the easiest, yet so often the most difficult - it's remembering every day - we can so easily get tied up in our worlds and forget what others are going through ...
Great to see you both - the #WATWB is a wonderful way of spreading the word on inspirational people and ideas ... cheers Hilary
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