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Friday, October 06, 2006

Follow through. (Blog Anniversary!)

During the week of October 6-12, "So what can I do" celebrates two years online! It's our blog anniversary! This blog is such a joy to write because the research and writing process is so uplifting. There are so many people who are consciously altering their behavior to make the world a better place! I like to think that this blog contributes to those efforts. In today's post, I ask you to tell me about how you've followed through on the suggestions presented here.

* Have you started donating blood?
* Do you now click everyday to make free donations?
* Have you written a letter for change?
* How was your socially-responsible wedding or celebration?
* Have you been recycling batteries or other items?
* Are you now using cloth napkins or cloth diapers?

Let us know what you are doing to make a difference. Leave a suggestion for the next year of this blog. Identify your favorite post and share it with a friend. Leave an update on how you've followed through on the ideas presented here.

So, at least for this post, instead of asking "So what can I do" ask yourself "So what have I done?" And leave a comment with your answer. Thanks for reading and leaving comments, and for the contributions you are making to make life better for all of us. And please spread the word. On to year three!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous. Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Maryanne Williamson, as quoted by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural address.

11 comments:

Karama said...

A few fun facts:

* "So what can I do" was inspired by the editors blog of the American Journal of Bioethics. Thanks Glenn!

* This is post number 329. Lots of ideas for us to try!

* Last year we celebrated with a very successful anniversary commentathon.

* Other than the commentathon, the post with the most comments was about reducing the use of plastic bags. 22 comments and counting!

* We have readers from literally all over the world! Medase pii! Asante sana! Thank y'all! Gracias! Obrigada! Merci! Danke!

* Interested in our stats?

Cathie said...

This is a good blog. I only hope that you, too, participate in these things. Too often people are quick to point out things like this and don't extert the time to actually do them.

Karama said...

Not to worry, Daedalus, I practice what I preach. Regular readers know that I often refer to my own experience in posts. And though I won't claim to have tried every one of the 329 suggestions, I am doing something, and I am striving to do more.

Want a few examples? My husband and I recycle glass, plastic, paper, metal, and rechargeable batteries, among other things. We donated leftover food from our wedding to a local food rescue agency and used recycled paper for the invitations. We wear recycled wedding rings, eat our meals with cloth napkins, and store our food in an energy efficient refrigerator. We compost and drive a hybrid car.

I donated blood every 2 months until I started preparing for another donation (which should be complete any day now!). I make free donations every time I turn on my computer and love to run with a purpose. I'm on the marrow registry, and am an organ donor. I write letters for change. Some of my favorite clothes are from clothes swaps I've attended or hosted. And this blog has been a medium for change since keeps me motivated and helps me find and share new and different ways to make a difference.

Yours is a good question, Daedalus. Thanks for asking. I hope I've answered it to your satisfaction. Remember, no one can do everything, but we all can do something (and we probably can do more). There are so many small (and large) ways we all can make a postive difference in our world. I hope you'll visit So what can I do again soon, try some of the suggestions, and spread the word.

Joy Renee said...

Happy Bloggerversary Karma!
Great site full of great ideas. I just discovered you via Blut it! so I've got some catching up to do.

thanx for your efforts
wishing you and yours well (including your upcoming 'donation')

SpiffyTurtle said...

Hi! I just found your blog today. Yes, I give blood and am a future organ donor. I have given up travel by car (I now bike). I gave away my television to keep all that negativity out of my head and attitude.

This weekend I decided to get on the bone marrow donor registry.

I rescue small animals who have been neglected or surrendered.

Every day I look for some way to take it a step farther.

Thanks for your great site! I will check out all your tips.

Up here in Canada everyone recycles (you'd be an instant pariah if you didn't) and many compost. I do both. I also Freecycle.

This year I installed a programmable thermostat and also started sleeping in the basement on the coldest days in order to be able to keep the furnace setting lower. (Odd house...my basement is warmest, my upstairs bedroom very chilly.)

I shop locally, buy organic, fair traded products and bring my own cloth bag to the market.

K

Anonymous said...

The quote by Maryanne Williamson is one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing. If your preparing for another type of donation means what I think it does, congratulations to you and Kwadjo and keep me posted.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting: I may try some of the suggestions.

Anonymous said...

Hi Karama! Happy [late] blog anniversary! I have been trying to do my part to conserve too. I had fallen out of the practice of recycling when I moved - but have now decided to keep it up even though I have to drive to the other side of town to drop it off (no pick-up in apartments) - but I just combine it with my other errands in the area and only take it when it grows to mass critical amounts. Our center takes newspaper, office paper, junk mail, tin, aluminum, all colors of glass, clear plastic and white plastic bottles - I take them all!

My boyfriend and I share a car and carpool to work everyday - one less car on the road!

I'm an organ donor, go to events that support local charities and always donate any unneeded items to charities such as Goodwill (what, throw away those old jeans?!?).

I love to buy my produce from the local farmer's market too - I know there is more that I can do, but that's why I come here for such clever ideas and tips! Thanks for all your work - keep it up!

Karama said...

Joy Renee: Thanks for you comment! I'm glad you happened upon So what can I do. I hope you'll visit again soon and spread the word.

Kiki: Great list! You're making some wonderful contributions. Please stop by again soon, and tell your friends.

Beronda: Glad you like the quote! You guess right about the upcoming donation. Kwadjo and I had a daughter last month, and we were happy to be able to donate her cord blood. Hopefully her donation will improve the life of some other mother's child though transplant or research. Thanks for stopping by. Warm hellos to you and yours.

Freddie: Thanks for reading. Let us know which of the suggestions you try. Have fun with them, and please visit again soon.

Sunny: Excellent list! Thanks for your contributions, and continued readership. Please stop by again soon, and spread the word.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the blog. I believe that blogging is such a great way for all of us to find out about what everyone has to offer. Thanks for the space! What are your future plans?

Anonymous said...

I concur. Good writings and pleasant thoughts.