Simple Idea No. 21 - Ask Questions!

I know we haven't posted here much lately. Life sure can get busy!

My simple idea today is all about not accepting something because someone declares it to be true. Something doesn't ring true? Ask questions.

People get away with so much because most people today are just spectators. They don't want to get involved. They would prefer to watch from on the sidelines.

More people need to be proactive and stand up and say "hey, what's going on here?" or "why is this happening?"

Before you can make a change you have to educate yourself. Asking questions and demanding truthful answers is the best way to do that.

If you are willfully ignorant you surrender control.

Unsustainable Future

An old post from my personal site, bradleyshea.com.

Our way of life is not sustainable.

There is a small minority using the vast majority of the world's resources. To bring impoverished people up to our standards will only serve to destroy us. The world cannot sustain that kind of load. We need to strike a balance by making some drastic changes to our lifestyle while helping improve the lives of others. For those of you who say, that is not my problem, that has nothing to do with me, I ask you, where did you buy your new shirt or anything for that matter? The follow up question is where did that shirt come from and does the person who made it bring enough money home to feed and house their family? If you have not done the research, for all you know, you have supported a manufacturer who paid their employees pennies for something they sold for much more. I look around my home and I realize that I have done this very thing I now know to be wrong. I am part of the problem. And so are many of you reading this.

The way to turn this ship around before we run aground is to educate people. For starters I am going to take it upon my self to learn more about ethical consumerism. This of course is only part of the solution. I have come to the realization that the solution does not just lie in making poverty history, it lies in making wealth history. I am an idealist and I realize that people are not just going to give up their wealth or their affluent lifestyle in my lifetime but I figure one idealist can turn into two and build into something much bigger than that. Am I the only one who thinks Bono was a hypocrite talking about making poverty history while he was planning on building a huge U2 tower in Ireland. Thankfully these 'hard economic times'(That phrase drives me crazy and I'll explain why in a another post) have prevented that, for now.

I grow more concerned everyday with what I see, but in the same token I see more people who realize something needs to be done and that eases my concern. We just have to keep on moving and we will get there.

What are your solutions? Do you think it is as bad as I think it is? Let me know!

Simple Idea No. 20 - Use Rechargable Batteries

Every year billions of disposable alkaline batteries are produced and sold. A very small fraction of these are recycled. Reduce the number of batteries you toss in the trash by purchasing a charger and rechargeable batteries.

Yes, rechargeable batteries require you to shell out more of your hard earned cash up front but you will save money in the long run by purchasing fewer batteries and less batteries end up in the landfill!

Take it a step further by recycling your single use batteries! In most areas there are companies that will take your used batteries and recycle them safely!

If you need assistance in locating a recycling center send us an email and we will do our best to help you out!

Now let's "charge" forward!

Collecting Milk Bags, Cell Phones, Ink Cartridges, and Glasses

Hi folks!

It's been a while since we've posted anything but we're still collecting all the items mentioned above. If you email us at bb@cjfriends.com we can arrange a pick up or a drop off. If you don't live in the Niagara region of Ontario I'm sure I could help facilitate a location for you in another region.

Have a good one!

Bradley

Simple Idea No. 19 - Wrapping Paper Alternatives

Use newspaper and/or magazines instead of wrapping paper. Some wrapping paper can be recycled but due to many wrapping paper having dyes, and other non-paper additives a number of them cannot be recycled.

Reusing newspaper and/or magazines as wrapping paper saves you money and allows you to recycle your wrapping as opposed to tossing it in the trash!

Using the comics section for children's gift has always been popular with children!

Another alternative is reusing any gifts bags you receive from other occasions.

Now get wrapping!

Simple Idea No. 18 - Solar Powered Christmas Lights

It has been way too long since we posted a new simple idea and with the Christmas season upon us there are a number of ways you can change the world around you!

Solar Powered christmas lights are not only better for the environment because they do not draw from the power grid, they also save you money on your power bills!

Sure they are a little more expensive than regular lights but you will save the difference and more when that aforementioned bill comes in the mail (preferably email if you have paperless billing)!

Update No. 4 - Milk Bags and Cell Phones

The word is out about the milk bags and collecting them is going well. I still have people coming up to me weeks after Caleb and I appeared in the paper asking about it. It is very encouraging!

We have also been invited to give short 'pitches' at a couple of different churches events letting people know what we're doing and there has been a very positive response! We're getting closer to getting some mats done! Hooray!

The cell phone and milk bag drive is ongoing so keep them coming!

Remember, keep sending in those simple ideas for changing the world! We'll publish the best ones here at cjfriends.com!