Me…save the world? I can barely get my kids out to school and pay the bills…I can barely save myself.

Admittedly the world’s problems seem daunting, impossible even. The common thought is, if the government can't solve these problems, how can an individual? And you would be right; an individual cannot save the world. But individuals, all acting for the best interests of themselves, their family, community, and the planet can make a real, dramatic, and relatively instantaneous difference.

The world myths that have been preventing us from developing our utopian visions and putting them into action are dissolving at an incredibly fast rate these days. For example, we are led to believe the world is becoming more dangerous when facts show that peace is breaking out everywhere – less wars, less deaths, etc. (Click here to read article). The old myth that drugs are safer than herbs due to their testing is now seen to a large degree to be false as the Journal of American Medical Association themselves report that there are around 3.5 times more deaths due to drugs than due to AIDS. With 50% of Americans and centuries of Indians and Chinese taking herbs – populations would be wiped out if herbs were more dangerous than drugs. Reality is disproving myths. So the notion that you can't help save the world is also being disproven.

Author Malcolm Gladwell coins the phrase ‘Tipping Point’ to identify the common occurrence that even when two people start something (e.g. wearing a certain brand of clothes, taking alternative medicine, etc.) when the idea catches on and a critical number of people follow this habit, the idea switches from minority use to a mainstream cultural phenomenon. We see this today happening with ecological issues. Alternative energy for cars, renewable energy for electric and heating, organic foods and clothing seem to have reached that critical mass and now, wherever you look, experts are predicting the only way to do business within 20 years will be ‘green’, i.e. good for the earth.

Need more proof? Whatever your political agenda, whatever you think about President Bush, he went on national TV and said we must break our addiction to fossil fuels because they support terrorism. The conservative ‘religious-right’, and the liberal left are teaming up on the issue of saving the earth, addressing the greenhouse effect, saving the forests, air, and water. The US Mayors are not waiting for the federal government to sign onto the Kyoto environmental accord; they are complying with the accord on a state level. So we see signs now at the highest levels of government, noted in the mainstream media, that saving the planet is a mainstream idea of the highest priority.

The same lawyers who sued tobacco companies, are now gearing up to sue the companies that pollute greenhouse gasses that are melting glaciers, drowning polar bears, causing more frequent and violent storms like hurricane Katrina. Ski resorts and other vacation businesses are going under due to the warming climate as well. It won't be too long into the future when the lawyers sue the pharmaceutical companies for the drugs that are making their way into our drinking water system, and the GE seed companies for destroying organic farmers crops. But it all develops because people stand up and say, ‘enough; I need my nature back!’  

But it all started with a few people – we, the people; for the people, and by the people. Never doubt the power of the people. So, what can you, the person, do to help save the world?

Here are 7 areas of life where you can do simple, inexpensive things that will make you feel better, in body and conscience, and in your wallet too. And above all, know you are giving your children a better, healthier, more peaceful world to grow up in and raise your grandchildren.

1.       Renewable Energy:
This means reducing consumption of oils for electricity, heating and cooling. It includes solar, wind, water, gas, geothermal processes. Federal and state green laws now offer substantial payments if you have these systems installed for your home or business. For example, a neighbor here on Long Island had a $20,000 solar electric system installed, and he only paid $3,000 (the Long Island Power Authority paid the rest). Now his monthly electric bills are ZERO! Check with your state energy company (their phone number is on your electric bill, or go to their website) for what you can do.
     You can start smaller by blocking energy leaks in your house – caulk windows with non-polluting caulk, use energy efficient windows, refrigerators, washers and dryers, TVs and computers, etc. Use ceiling fans in the summer to cut air conditioning costs. You should find many tips on your local energy company’s website.      

2. Transportation Energy:
This covers hybrid, bio-diesel, and high-mileage cars. In some areas of the US (e.g. Midwest), there bio-diesel gas stations are commonplace. In Texas, Willie Nelson has opened BioWillie bio-diesel gas stations. If you drive a diesel car, bus or truck or your company owns a fleet, consider buying your own bio-diesel gas maker and pay just 8 cents per gallon for gas! [see Realgoods.com]         
     If you’re stuck with a gas-guzzler, consider car pools, mass transportation, walking or bicycling to work, school, and shopping. The exercise yields the added benefit for health and happiness. Check with your company to see if they provide incentives for taking not driving your car to work; and suggest they consider this as part of their ‘giving back to the community’ projects. Walking alone will greatly help reduce the high incidence of obesity, asthma, and diabetes in both adults and children.           
     Major transportation companies are reducing their gas needs; UPS just bought a fleet of bio-diesel trucks; Walmart is doubling their gas mileage in their trucks. NY city taxi service is switching to hybrids, which will make them the first major US city to have an all-hybrid taxi fleet. The world IS changing!      

3.       Organic Food & Clothing: Whether you buy from the store or grow your own garden, organics are everywhere now; from regular grocery stores to Walmart announcing they want to expand their organic produce section in a big way. In fact, the demand for organic is greater than the US is currently able to provide. 
     Avoiding the use of chemical pesticides to grow food and cotton (for clothes) allows mother earth, the air, and water to become healthy again. This too yields the benefits of health as does walking and ending oil pollution. Many organic companies are also adding to their positive views by buying only Fair-Trade products – items that people can earn a living wage from their jobs.           

4.       Home & Lifestyle: There is another concurrent change in the people for healthier, happier, more spiritually fulfilling lifestyles. This includes eco-houses – houses made from materials that don't cause cancer (e.g. log homes, cob, adobe, straw-bale), home supplies like caulking and paints that don't emit cancer-causing fumes; organic cleaning and gardening products, and composting drums.
     Spiritual lifestyles include walking, alone or with the family, yoga to balance mind and body, become more flexible and balanced, release daily stress and find greater mental peace; getting out in nature and celebrating nature, spending more quality family time, perhaps helping those less fortunate. Consider redesigning your community; studies have found when streets are made more narrow. Cars drive slower, kids are safer to play in the streets, and there is less noise pollution from cars. If you are moving, consider eco-villages where roads are in the back side of homes and the front is all grass, gardens and play areas; work is in your business below your home or within walking distance. There are a lot more benefits with eco-villages.
      Consider buying ‘fair-trade’ products. These are products made by poor villagers – especially women – who receive a living wage for their work. Clothes, handicrafts, and items are produced in developing nations and sold in the west. Some fair-trade is done right in western countries.        
     Other ways to save and help the planet include buying less – only buy essentials, recycling, reusing what you have, donating what you don't need to charity (e.g. old broken computers, clothes, games). When you do buy, buy recycled materials like paper and plastic products.
     Harmonize your home and business with nature – the planets and the earths energies; use Vastu Shastra (Indian feng shui) to bring harmony, health, and success to your structures. Have a Jyotish Vedic astrology reading to learn what your God-gifts are, what is your life purpose, and the best timings to unfold your vision into reality to help change the world.
     Take eco-vacations where you can appreciate natural pristine beauty with minimal damage to the climate. Read positive news magazines on ecology, social causes and more. Follow your Ayurvedic lifestyles – foods, aromas, life purpose; and when needed, use herbal remedies whenever allopathic drugs are not required. Ayurveda nourishes and balances the nutrition and elements requirements of the body and mind, and balances the emotions and spirit; good health is the foundation of the rest of life. If you live in more urban settings, try to grow flowers outside in window pots, or in front of the building, in parks, or ask the city to introduce flowers along the streets. Studies found that flowers in otherwise gloomy urban settings reduces depression and increases health and positive behavior.     
     Save your money responsibly – I mean more than save, save where your money is invested to help the environment and in other positive ways. Consider banking at Shore Bank (Chicago) who uses their funds for micro-loans to help the inner city folks raise themselves out of poverty; or Shore Bank Pacific that does the same thing with a major emphasis on sustainable ecological building. There are also SRI’s or socially responsible investing IRAs and RIRA mutual funds – many of which offer better returns than their standard counterparts.           .            

5.       Business: Money talks; recent surveys found there is a new breed of social changers – but they aren’t out protesting in the streets – they are making their voices heard through where they spend their money. If you are reading this article, you probably already are doing many of the things discussed so far; you ARE responsible; your ARE helping to change the world. So why not support businesses who have the save values as you; who care about your community and make it safer, cleaner, and more beautiful. 
     Do the companies you buy from use alternative energy sources, avoid increasing greenhouse gasses, treat employees fairly, use recycled products, use suppliers who also follow these values? Ask. Find the companies that support your families healthy lifestyles. Last year Toyota sold twice as many hybrid cars than Hummers sold. This year Hummer production has been stopped and other car companies are jumping into the hybrid car arena.
     Start such projects at your company. If you own a company, consider adopting some of these practices. Many companies are finding it better for their profit as well. Become a P3 company: People, Planet, Profits; have a business that is truly for the welfare of the people, the planet, and one where you can earn a profit. P3 companies are more and more commonplace.

6.       Selfless Service: The real secret of happiness is ‘giving’; giving time, charity, attention…in short, giving love. When people feel gratitude for what they have, automatically the impetus arise from within to give back to others in need; to help them help themselves. Giving of time, money, or education in this case, means giving with no desire to receive anything in return; serving is its own reward. This is the highest form of giving.     
     Inner love is an eternal source. Inner creativity and love are your true, unending riches. With these God-gifts you can do anything in the world; achieve any vision you might have. Inner inexhaustible wealth allows one to realize there is not much need for personal desires, so why not simply dedicate one’s life to help others – from your own children to any and all of God’s children. For those who have volunteered their time, donated to a cause they believe in, helped a needy child or adult, you already know the incomparable and indescribable feeling such selfless service bestows. No amount of money or fame ever satisfies like selfless service.

7.       Ahimsa: This is the Sanskrit word meaning not causing trouble to any person, animal, or nature (i.e. not causing harm). This also includes not envying anyone as this is a form of negativity or harm. This includes not only others, but yourself. The interesting thing about this notion is it asks of the person to follow ahimsa on all three levels of life; action (not physically hurting someone), words (not speaking harmfully to anyone), and thoughts (not even thinking harmful or negative about anyone). The first two levels are relatively easy to control, but to control the thoughts is where the real exercise begins. This requires much attention and commitment to notice and replace all negative, undermining, blame- and excuse-laden thoughts with positive thoughts, words, and actions. Transitioning to a gentler, more healthy and harmonious lifestyle helps make this process easier; following the earlier 6 tips helps to root out the weeds of negativity and cultivate a positive-flowering mind. To help this along, the next tip, meditation, is a major key in transforming the mind to divine peace.           

8.       Meditation: This category really includes other inner, silent positive and spiritual tools; mediation, contemplation, prayer, etc. Praying is a request for some specific positive, compassionate outcome such as praying for world peace, an end to starvation and poverty, health for the world and for their family. Contemplation often is mulling over spiritual, philosophical, and ethical notions in one’s life such as, can I do a better job at work or with my family; do I feel I am living ethically; how can I become a more positive person; how can I learn and follow my life path; what is my purpose on earth; how can I feel closer love with God. Meditation can be specific, such as meditating to be less stressed. Ultimately, meditation is a way to become one with God, spirit, nature, and loved ones. The Vedic view suggests that connecting with that which is greater than you (e.g. God, spirit, nature), you are taken beyond your limits of mind, ego, and feeling to experience a greater being of your eternal soul. This is called grace; that somehow, despite my limitations, I have been blessed to live a greater, sacredness on this earth; and the ability to see it in others and share it with them.
     Meditation mean walking in nature, doing anything you ‘love to do’, and of course the commonly held view of seated silent meditation. All are valid, yet the best view of mediation is to see all of your life as different hues of meditation – variations on a theme of meditation. So cooking is a sacred mediation; so is cleaning, spending time with family, selfless service, and participating in any and all the earlier 7 tips. Still, even spending 15 minutes a day in some form of silent meditation is quite beneficial and highly advisable. Just as we need time for food, liquid, and breathing each day, we also need time for our Souls.

9.       Envision-Engrave-Enact: Now with the previous 8 tips in mind, review your life-purpose (dharma); first,

• Envision why you were born on this planet; if you never had to think about earning another penny, what would you do with your life; for helping your family, community, country, and the world? Then,
• Engrave your life – write down your daily schedule, food menu, as well as short- and long-term vision goals based on what you envisioned.. In the process your may be faced with the doubting, negative, low-self-worth thoughts. This is the place to replace them with positive thoughts.
• Enact – now put your plan into action – even if you add a few simple things from your engraved vision list to your life (e.g. organic foods and yoga), by simply sticking with your plan for 1 month creates new positive healthy neural pathways in the brain. This means after 1 month, this new healthy behavior will become a habit, replacing an old bad habit.

So pick a plan that is do-able, fun, and inspiring and get started. Finding your inner divine love and the infinite energy of your God-given gifts and creativity, allows you to create a life that reflects who you really are – that resonates your visions – that reveals the reason why you are on this planet.         

Resources

Envisioning, Engraving & Enacting your Vision:         
For those interested in developing their E^{3 -} P³ visions (Envision-Engrave-Enact for People, Planet, & Profit), 3-step consultations are available to help you achieve your visions. Click here for details

Renewable Home Energy & Eco Homes

53 ways to save energy http://lipower.org/residential/tools/53ways.html