Day 25 - Make a meaningful donation

If you take a look at my "Why should you care?" section, you will see a TED Talk video by Jessica Jackley. Within this video she talks about the burden of donating to 'the poor' and how she used to only donate when it was convenient or when she was cornered into doing so. That is not what donations are meant to be about. According to the Princeton Dictionary, a donation is "a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause. Today's challenge is to make (or at least commit to making) a meaningful donation. 

Let's break down that definition quickly: 1. a voluntary gift; 2. money or service or ideas; and, 3. to a worthwhile cause. Everyone can make a donation, it's just about choosing what type of donation you will give and to whom.

"If you have much, give your wealth. If you have little, give your heart." - Arab Proverb

This challenge is about giving what is feasible for you, and having meaning behind it. I don't want you to donate $10 to a random charity, I want you to find a cause which you are passionate about and give what you can; whether that be a financial contribution, volunteering your time or a simple 'thank-you for all you do' card.

Make a difference today through a meaningful donation!

Day 24 - Know the politics

This challenge is especially relevant to Canadian citizens right now (with the election coming up in May), but certainly something that anyone, from any country should be acquainted with. I am referring to knowing your political situation and exercising your right to vote.

"Freedom is a package deal - it comes with responsibility and consequences."

It is our constitutional right to vote in a fair and free democratic election. But in the last Canadian election only 59.1% of the population voted. Why? Perhaps they were too busy, or perhaps they just forgot. Perhaps it's because we have it so good already, why even cast a vote?

I'll tell you why. Around the globe there are people who are oppressed, shut out, or even killed for wanting the same political freedom we have. I don't want to criticize or attack, I simply want you to know the importance and privilege that Canadians have to be able to vote. With the current situation in Libya and Cote d'Ivoire raging on, how can we, with good conscience, not take advantage of this chance to have a say in our leadership.

For Canadians who would like to see which political party lines up closest to their views, you can check out the following website: http://federal.votecompass.ca/#top. After answering 30 questions it shows you where you stand on political issues and which Canadian party most represents your view.

Day 24's challenge is to educate yourself on the political situation of the country you are currently in and exercise your political rights. 

Day 23 - Watch and react

The last 'watch and react' challenge (Day 13) was tough because the content was not pleasant. Today  has more of a hopeful twist. This video answers the question: what is the purpose of life (or at least from one man's perspective). For those who were not here for Day 13's 'watch and react' challenge - the task is to view the video below and react to it. Do something about it - anything. "I never worry about action, but rather inaction;" Winston Churchill. Enjoy and I hope you feel inspired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5f6OpPpeTw&feature=player_embedded

Day 22 - Appreciate the song of life

Music is a universal language. It requires no words, but sometimes it is the most powerful way of articulating a feeling. You don't have to study theory or even have ever played an instrument to create music. It is also all around us. It is in the song of morning birds. It is in the simple whistle of a stranger on the street. It is there, but too often we don't appreciate the beauty of it.


The diversity of music is another thing to be appreciated. So many cultures have various types of music and each one is unique and wonderful. Today's challenge is to appreciate the music of our world. Branch out from your usual playlist and seek out new and different melodies. Branch out from what keeps you content and seek the extraordinary. You never know, you may discover something that fills your life with more beauty than you could have imagined. 


"Music is a ladder for the soul." - Bahá'u'lláh

Day 21 - Try a day without meat

I came across this video and I thought it was an interesting idea. I am sharing it with you because it challenges our regular habits which is what this 30 day challenge is all about...

Today I want you to try to eat each meal without meat. As Graham mentions, there are numerous benefits to a life without meat, so let's try it out for at least one day.

Here is a couple website to find vegetarian recipes.

All Recipes
Canadian Living
The Food Network

Bonne Appétit!

Day 20 - Connect on a deeper level

I have already challenged you to go out and meet someone new (Day 5), but today is about getting to know someone you already know on a deeper level. Call someone up and invite them to coffee or to go grab a bite to eat. The challenge is to go beyond the typical conversation. For example, instead of just talking about work, as usual, talk about what they do outside of work or personal ambitions they may have.

Some possible topics include:
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
- How did you choose your career?
- What are some of your greatest successes in life? Some of your greatest lessons learned?
- What do you want out of life? How are you going to get it?
- What do you believe in? (Not necessarily faith or religion)
- What is your dream for the world? Why isn't it that way?
- What are your fears?
- What makes you happy?

People are fascinating if you take the time to listen to them. Each person also has a story; how they came to be the person they are today. So, find out what their story is today, and share your own with them. Have fun with it and enjoy Day 20's challenge.

Day 19 - REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle

Do you remember the old saying; "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!" It's a good one, eh. What I would like to point out today is the order in which the words are said: 1. Reduce; 2. Reuse; and, 3. Recycle. I believe it was said in that order for a reason. 

We live in an over-consumptive culture, but what makes it worse is the amount of waste we generate (unnecessary waste). If we make a conscious effort to first reduce our consumption; second reuse what we have already consumed; and lastly, if there is no more use for the item, recycle, we will create a more sustainable society.

I don't think this is an impossible task, nor terribly difficult. It is just about recognizing our unnecessarily consumptive patterns. For example: using a reusable mug, reusable shopping bags, double-side your paper when you print or copy, reduce organic trash by composting, buy products with a longer life-span, buy in bulk to reduce packaging, etc.  

Then comes reusing. Some examples include: repairing damaged items instead of throwing them away, if you have no use for it anymore, sell it on ebay/craigslist/kijiji, shop at garage sales or second hand stores, old clothes can be donated or torn clothes can be used as rags for cleaning, etc. 

Finally if your product has come to the end of its life, make an effort to recycle if possible. I found the following benefits from an article written by Laurence O'Sullivan. 

- “Paper products are the single biggest component of the municipal solid waste stream, making up 38.1 percent of the material landfilled in the United States. Effective paper recycling efforts can help conserve landfill space and natural resources and preserve biological diversity by reducing the call to harvest timber from wild areas.”

- “Compared with the production of primary aluminum, recycling of aluminum products needs as little as 5% of the energy and emits only 5% of the greenhouse gas.”

- “Glass produced from recycled materials reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and water pollution by 50 percent. Manufacturing glass from recycled materials also saves 68 percent energy and half the water normally required in the manufacturing process.”

Day 19's challenge is to make a conscious effort to reduce your consumption, reuse what you already have and always recycle if possible.