10 Easy Ways to Feel Groovy in 2010

10 Easy Ways to Feel Groovy in 2010

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“I want to be thoroughly used up when I die.” — George Bernard Shaw

I may be ankle-deep wading toward 50, but let me assure you I’m no sage, nor do I claim to be. That is to say, I’m not “all-knowing,” however, I can say with confidence that I’m “some-knowing.” The following is a list of 10 easy things you can do to make yourself feel better and save the world in the process (I’m sure you don’t need a Yoda wannabe like me to tell you these two things are connected).

1. When a firetruck passes, blow a kiss.  Before he turned into the nutjob he seems to be today, Joaquin Phoenix mentioned this in an interview publicizing his fireman movie Ladder 49. I put it into practice and I still can’t believe how good I feel when I do it. It’s akin to a prayer; you feel like your energy is helping the situation…and who’s to say it isn’t?

2. Walk. My hometown Orlando was recently dubbed the most dangerous place for pedestrians in the nation and my reaction to that was: We need to walk more, reclaim the planet from cars! I saw Sir Ian McKellen on Bill Maher’s show once advocating walking, and I’ll never forget him saying, “People fall in love while walking.” There are so many benefits to walking. Exercise, of course. Greet people which promotes community and a safe neighborhood. Save gas and reduce your impact on the environment. Discover things you wouldn’t notice when driving in a car.

3. Put your spare change in those little collection jars you see at cash registers. With the ongoing recession — when will we have the stones to call it a depression? — few of us have the means to write a big, juicy, satisfying check to a charity, but what about that change in your pocket?  You won’t miss it and your pennies can help an organization immensely. The Humboldt Wildlife Care Center reported making $4800 in one year with donation jars.

4. Say “please,” “thank you,” “sir” and “ma’am.” Remember manners? Being polite keeps us sane, it really does. (Sir and ma’am aren’t about age, by the way, they are about respecting your fellow humans.)

5. Take your grocery cart back to the store or to their collection rack. This’ll take you a minute or two, yet save some person making a crap wage from following behind you.

6. Throw your trash away at the movie theatre. See #5. Considering the economy, is it so implausible that it could be you cleaning up that bucket of backwashed coke at some point?

7. Recycle and buy recycle products. Please.

8. Feed birds. As we build and build, we squeeze out the places for animals to live. Here’s an inexpensive way to help nature persist. It’s also relaxing to watch the little guys and you feel a connection with nature.

9. Take the stairs. Downsize your carbon footprint and get exercise at the same time by bypassing the elevator. Ever notice how we’ll drive around looking for the absolute closest parking space, then pay money for a gym membership. We’re funny, aren’t we?

10. Hug. Come on, hugging rocks, right? I’d love to see more of it. In the workplace, total strangers, Rush Limbaugh and Anderson Cooper, Adam Lambert and me… Let’s hug it up, world! Not only does it feel good, studies have shown that hugging actually helps lower your blood pressure, decrease the risk of heart disease, and increase your levels of the “bonding” hormone oxytocin. Bartender, a round of oxytocin for me and my friends! Here’s to a groovy 2010!

The world needs us! Join the Scottie Saves the World Team at Heifer International.

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