Giving Thanks

As we approach another Thanksgiving celebration this week, it’s an ideal time to take pause and reflect on the many blessings in our lives.  And, instead of thinking about what we want “more” of, why not think about those things we already have to cherish and preserve?  Just  think about the 3 Ps of sustainability–People, Planet and Prosperity–all of which we can easily take for granted.  Yet, if we pause and reflect on each of these elements in our personal and business lives, I’m confident everyone can find things for which to be thankful and reconsider why we may want “more”.  Instead, perhaps we should spend more time reflecting on everyday life experiences to unveil the obvious (yet often unobvious) blessings we’ve already been given.

A good friend of mine sent me a Thanksgiving message this morning in which he described the many experiences we shared during this past year and for which we should be thankful.  He described our “times of joy, instruction, change, development, mission, sorrow, faith, loss, hope, formation, comfort, gain, rest, challenge, strength and love. ”  And, while some of these descriptives may not be ones for which you would typically give thanks, it made me realize that all of life’s experiences are blessings (or blessings in disguise). 

I certainly don’t need more.  But, I do need to do more with less.  And, if we all consider doing the same, our world will be enriched as a result.

– Margie Flynn

“The Story of Stuff”

Today The New York Times published an article about “The Story of Stuff”, a 20-minute video about the effects of human consumption on our planet and its people. Like an indie movie catching fire in the underground world of pop culture, it’s become a ‘sleeper hit’ in classrooms across the country. Created by Annie Leonard, a former Greenpeace employee and independent lecturer, the video (which has been viewed by millions on its site storyofstuff.com and YouTube), paints a kid-friendly but realistic picture of how much Americans waste and the negative consequences associated with this waste. While many teachers have embraced the video as a valuable supplement to textbooks lacking significant information on environmental education, others are not so quick to jump on the bandwagon (some have labeled it anti-capitalist and more advocacy than educational). 

Regardless of opinion, the use of video and other types of electronic media are an effective way to reach people in all parts of the world to convey a message. It’s about meeting people where they are and making information exciting and creative; it allows such important issues as the environment to become accessible to anyone anywhere. Hopefully videos like this will inspire other people with a worthy cause to spread their message

For more info, check out www.storyofstuff.com. What do you think of it? We would love to hear your opinions!