Where is our education leading us?

This is, in my opinion, a must watch video on one perspective on the current education system. 

What is apathy?

Where do you stand?

Day 30 - We did it!

We have done it! 30 days - 30 challenges.

Today is all about you. Your challenge is to post in the comments how you felt the 30 day challenge went. What was your favourite challenge, the most challenging challenge, any days you didn't like and why, any lessons learned, experiences you would like to share, anything folks!

This is a time to share what you went through with the people that went through it with you. And don't be afraid if you only did a few of the challenges - share anything! Now it is time to celebrate our completion of the challenge, and walk away with some new life lessons.

So, what did you think?

Day 29 - Time to reflect

This is a great chance for us to reflect on our 30 day challenge. Let's first recall the overall purpose of these past 30 days; 1. to challenge your regular habits; 2. open your eyes to small ways you can make a difference each day; and, 3. to have a little fun. So did we achieve these goals?

Throughout this challenge I have asked you to do everything from meeting someone new to donating your old clothing. I have asked you to reflect on your purpose in life, and to appreciate the beauty of nature and music. You have been challenged to carry out a random act of kindness and to try a 5-minute meditation. You were asked to go beyond the usual 'good' answer when greeted and to try a day without eating meat. I hope through these challenges you have changed your regular habits and you have stepped outside of your comfort zone. 

By drawing your attention to your water consumption and challenging you to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, I have hopefully opened your eyes to the small ways in which you can make a difference each day. Choosing fair trade over regular products and giving up an unhealthy habit have also contributed to this goal. 

Through re-connecting with an old friend and creating something I hope you were able to have a little fun. The sole purpose of day 6, Back to the good old days, was to rekindle your childhood spirit and have fun with that. 

Everything I have challenged you to do has had a purpose and a reason. I hope dearly that you have found the relevance and meaning behind these challenges and that I have accomplished my goal. We are but one day away from saying we have accomplished the 30 day challenge; congratulations and making it this far. 

Day 28 - Write a Letter

Today I want you to write a letter. There are many types of letters and I will leave it up to you to decide which type you would like to write. It could be a letter to a friend or family member, a protest letter, a letter to a soldier, a letter to the editor or perhaps a letter to a government official. The choice is yours.

A letter is a powerful thing for a few reasons; 1. you have to take time to write a letter, so it shows you have made a commitment to the purpose of the letter; 2. letters allow you to think and articulate yourself clearly; and, 3. letters usually merit a response (and who doesn't like getting a nice letter in the mail).

On this beautiful day, I want you to choose a person or cause that has meaning to you, write them a letter,  buy the postage necessary and send it through the traditional mailing system. It will take more time than an e-mail, but it will also show your sender you are willing to take the time for them.

Day 27 - Give up an unhealthy habit

We all have unhealthy habits that we aren't proud of. Some of us bite our nails; stay up too late; smoke; eat junk food; have too much caffeine intakes; forget to floss; don't exercise etc.. The first step in getting rid of habits like this is identifying they are no longer random actions and have become habits.

It has been said that it takes 21 days to create and/or change a habit; the "21 day habit theory". Day 27's challenge is to pick an unhealthy habit of yours and start to change it. Will this be easy? Of course not.

I will give you a simple example though. I live in a residence and thus share a bathroom. In our bathroom we have a paper towel dispenser. To cut down on wasted paper, I stopped using the dispenser and would rather go to my room and dry my hands with my towel. It took a while for me to get used to this changed habit and I made mistakes along the way; sometimes I would push the handle, dry my hands and only then realize I had forgotten my new method of drying.

Habits are not easy to break because they are habits - you don't always have to think about doing them, you just do them. But this challenge is about being conscious of those actions and trying to change the ones that are harming yourself or the people and planet around you.

Day 26 - What is your purpose?

I think a lot about the 'purpose of life'. Why am I here? What should I be doing? What effect am I having on the environment around me? I think it's good to reflect sometimes on what you're doing with your life (not all the time though, because then you miss out on life itself). As much as I reflect though, I still have no idea what the ultimate purpose is: Is it to give? Is it to find love? Is it to have fun along they way? Is there not a purpose to life?

Today's challenge is rather abstract, I know, but I think it's important to think about a greater goal. Having a greater purpose gives you focus and allows you to work toward that goal on a day-to-day basis.

So, what is your purpose? And how are you assuring you are on the path to achieving it?

I would love to see comments on this post because just as much as it's good to reflect on your own, it's helpful to hear other people's thoughts and beliefs as well.

*This post was inspired by the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0oHlX8Kmxk&feature=player_embedded