Have you been affected by the recession? I surely have, and so have most of us, right? Our economy has gone through some pretty startling changes in the last year or two.

I believe that how we react to these changes will determine whether we prosper or fail, as individuals, and as a nation. Will you wave the white flag and hope that better days are coming, or will you adapt and overcome? I choose the latter. Whether you call it a “down-turn”, “recession”, “slow-down”, or even the dreaded “DEPRESSION”, the truth is that it is up to you to use our changing economy as an opportunity to excel.

Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid.

We’ve all been hearing it in the media. Every other commercial is advertising a “recession proof” this, or a “beat the slow-down” that. The television news has been falling all over themselves covering the recession ad nauseum. If you listened to all this hype you might believe the world was coming to an end. It isn’t.

It’s hard to find quality information on the news these days. What you can easily find is infinite quantities of spin and hype. Don’t focus on the gloom and doom, sensationalist reporting. Stay positive, even if times have gotten tough. You’ll be fine, but you’re probably going to have to make a few changes.

Do Something Different.

The other day, a friend was telling me about his woes. “I’m a union carpenter, and I haven’t worked in six months. I’ve never seen it this bad”, he says. I got the sense that this man was prepared to wait another six months, or more, for things to get better.

In the meantime there are other union carpenters – smarter, more industrious ones who are already making their moves. They are becoming entrepreneurial, and going into business for themselves. They aren’t going to sit and wait for the union to save them, they are going to make things happen now. These are the kinds of folks who will prosper through difficult and changing times while others shake their heads and blame “the recession”.

Diversify:

When money gets tight, we need to re-think our business model. Say, for example, your hours have been cut. You went from 40 to 30 hours per week. It is probably time to find a source of supplemental income. Pick a skill or a talent that you have and market it.

Say, for example, you play the guitar. If you’ve been at it for a while, then you probably have knowledge and information that is worth money. Put an ad on Craigslist, or something similar, and start giving guitar lessons. Get yourself a few good customers and you’ll be right back where you were in terms of income, and you’ll be doing something different and presumably more enjoyable in the process.

If you’re not sure what to do, then make a list of your skills. We all have them – things like: gardening, tennis, piano, second language, computer, etc. Now put a possible way to earn money next to each skill. Go from there, and you’ll be on your way to leveraging your individual skills to earn extra cash.

Most of us believe that we have made something out of ourselves through hard work, and smart decision making. In this country we have to earn what we have. We aren’t born entitled, and there are no free rides. The economy has made some pretty tough circumstances for most of us. Nobody is denying that, but, it is important to recognize that we are dealing with exactly that – circumstances.

I will never surrender and become a victim of circumstance. We will all persevere and meet these challenges as long as we keep things in their proper perspective. Tune out the hype and negativity, get back to the basics of hard work and opportunism. Let the tough times weed out the defeatists, and we and our economy will come through this recession stronger than ever.

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The fact of the matter is that people love to get stuff for free… or feel like they’ve gotten something for nothing. This phenomenon doesn’t end when buying shoes, either.

People all over the country take jobs that offer them less money than they’re worth, with the logic that they’ve got great benefits–are getting “stuff” for free. And companies shove this theory down employees’ throats. “Sure, we’re paying you $20,000 less than you qualify for, but we offer you 2.5 weeks of paid vacation, health insurance and a 401K!”

I’m here to tell you to do the math.

Know your worth

First, you have to know what you’re worth. Sure, we’d all like to make a million dollars, but in reality what is your experience and knowledge worth to a company? Many job websites offer a salary comparison section, where you can use your experience, the area where you’ll be working, and the position you’ll hold to find out what the salary range is. Before you ever step foot into a salary negotiation, you’d better make sure you know what you’re capable of getting for a salary.

Trade all of the “perks” in for cash

You have to take a logical look at a job offer and weed out the fluff (benefits) from the facts. Why should you work for less than what you’re worth? Why should you go with a company that is offering you less in cash and a lot of fluff when you can go with an opportunity that allows you to grow and advance your career, even if you’re getting a few less perks out of the deal?

Let’s look at some examples and then break it down logically

Sam Seller is comparing two job offers. Company A is offering him $50,000 (when the average salary for his position is $60,000), but they also offer two weeks of paid vacation, an on-site gym for its employees and health insurance. Company B is offering Sam $65,000 per year, but doesn’t include any of the benefits that Company A is offering.

What should Sam do?

Sam can get a gym membership at a local gym for $20 per month ($240 per year). He is in good health and can get a medical insurance policy for $200 per month ($2,400 per year). And at a salary of $60,000 per year, two weeks of paid vacation is equivalent to approximately $2,306. So if Sam pays for all of these “benefits” himself, it’s only going to cost him about $4,946. Why should he give up getting paid what he’s worth, as a trade for the company’s so-called benefits when he can take the $65,000 a year job, pay for all of these benefits, and still have $15,354 more to show for it?

Trade all of the “perks” for growth opportunities

It’s not all about the cash you receive right away, either. Some companies offer growth opportunities where others don’t. Career growth is something else you’ve got to take into consideration.

Sam Seller is comparing two job offers. Company A is offering him $50,000 (when the average salary for his position is $60,000), but they also include two weeks of paid vacation, an on-site gym for employees, and health insurance. Company A is a growing company and is expected to continue to grow over the next several years. There is opportunity for advancement, promotions, and bonuses. The other company, Company B, is offering Sam $65,000 per year, but doesn’t offer any of the benefits that Company A has put on the table. It’s a small company that hasn’t grown much over the past few years, and Sam will be working in the top position in his department… no room for advancement or growth.

How does this change Sam’s situation?

The monetary factors remain the same, but career advancement and growth is significantly different for the two companies. In this situation, it may be worth it to Sam to take the slightly lower salary with the opportunity to advance his career over the next several years. In the long run, his income will be higher for it.

There are two points you have to keep in mind when deciding which career move is the best one for you. First, you should know what you’re worth and accept positions where you’re paid what you’re worth, regardless of how much fluff the company adds to make it seem like you’re getting “paid” in benefits. Second, you’ve got to consider the career path you can take with the company. If your career is at a dead end with the company, then it may not matter what the salary is because you’re going to be stuck in the position unless you leave the company.

Don’t mistake benefits for getting paid–especially in these hard economic times. It’s better to work for what you’re worth than to be soft and complacent.

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I know we are all concerned about economic conditions these days, with massive job layoffs, declining housing markets, and plunging stock prices. Yet, the rise in unemployment has created a great opportunity for those who have entrepreneurial dreams.

With very little capital outlay, now is a great time to start a home based business.

I did some research and found that there are over 16 million home based businesses in the U.S. Some of these are service based and some sell products.

A recent Forbes.com article indicated a few of the best service businesses to start include event planning, home landscaping, computer repair, graphic design, consulting, and public relations. Home based businesses can also market products through network marketing, eBay, Amazon, or an affiliate program.

No matter what your dream is, I believe there’s an opportunity for everyone who wants to start a home based business. Whether you’re fed up with the restrictions of a stifling job or have been laid off, if you’re ready to be your own boss, you can start a business that uses your best talents and skills.

For example, secretarial skills can easily transform into a virtual assistant business. Or you may be a young retiree looking for a part time venture or a mother wanting to stay at home with the children. Whatever your reason, the home based business is a good bet for a slow economy.

However, you do need to get some basic business education before you hang out your shingle. You may be talented at the service you provide or have the greatest product on the market, but you have to have some business savvy to succeed. You could read business books, take seminars, get a coach or mentor, and network with other business professionals in your industry. Use search engines to research the business you want to start. See who the competition is, find out what you need to start a business, and get some marketing ideas.

According to the SBA (Small Business Administration), over half of all U.S. businesses are home based, and they provide more than $530 billion of income each year. If you plan to be among those businesses that not only survive but thrive in this economy, here are some helpful tips:

Start a business that fills a need or solves a problem. Do you have a product or service that is the solution to a specific problem? Do you know who your target market is? When you answer these questions, you will have a business that is focused on a need and targeted to a market. Then decide how you can deliver this product or service in a unique way that will stand out from your competition.

The virtual assistant, for example, solves the problem of how a home based business owner can get office support without having to hire an employee. The virtual assistant business may stand out by targeting a niche market, such as professional coaches.

Stay up to date with current trends.

As a business start-up, see if you can match the service or product you want to sell with a current trend such as the environmental and economic issues. Where is there a need that you can fill? What target market is underserved? Look for trends that have longevity rather than ones that may just be the next best thing.

Build your team.

You might not want to hire employees, but you could use contractors to build a team of people who have skills that you lack. Outsource your weakest skills such as administrative tasks, bookkeeping, writing, and web design. Conversely, your home based business may be a resource for other home businesses if you provide a valuable service like graphic design or computer repair.

Develop excellent customer and referral relationships.

To keep marketing costs at a minimum, focus on getting repeat business and referrals. To stand out from the competition, focus on extreme customer service. Make sure you follow up and stay in touch with prospects, past and present customers, business associates, and referral sources. Develop alliances with complementary businesses that can send you qualified leads.

Build an online presence.

Even if your service is locally delivered, you can still benefit from a website. Use it as an online brochure and lead generator. It will build your credibility and introduce prospects to your services. If you sell products, most can be sold online, so set up a payment service like PayPal and start getting people to your site. You can do this with blogs, articles, social networking, and joint ventures.

As a local business you can get listed in the local directory at Google and Yahoo.

Several successful businesses such as Microsoft and Disney began during recessions so I really believe now is a great time to start a home based business.

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K.I.S.S. stands for a couple things. Firstly and most notably, it means “keep it simple, stupid”.

While the “stupid” line may seem a little harsh, it adds humor to the saying, and probably is responsible for the saying’s notoriety.

K.I.S.S. can also stand for “keep it short and simple”. This is similar to the principle of Occam’s razor which states that the simplest explanation is usually the best one.

Whichever interpretetation you like, the K.I.S.S. principle is worth pondering. There is a brilliance and a perfection to be found in simplicity.

Here are a few rules to live by that relate to the K.I.S.S. principle. Following them will simplify your life at work, and at home, and ultimately earn you a reputation that you will be proud of.

Be honest.

Honesty, as they say, is the best policy. But why is that? Isn’t it true that a well placed white lie can get you out of a jam? Have you ever heard of a “business lie”?

It is true that a fib told here and there can be helpful – but only in the immediate sense. Consider the consequences. While a lie can be useful to you today, it will ultimately earn you a reputation of someone who can not be trusted. Even a co-worker, who was complicit in your lie, will have a lower opinion of you.

Deceit, in the long run, will not help you further your purposes. Your reputation will eventually catch up to you, and you will not be trusted by your co-workers, direct reports, or your family and friends. It isn’t worth it.

Another reason to stick to the truth is that eventually your own web of lies can turn on you. The more lies you tell, the more you must keep track of what you said to who, and when. Pretty soon, you’ll get it wrong and then guess what? You’re busted!

The simplest course is the right one – always tell the truth. While you may not always have “the right answer” in a given situation, you will be much better off overall.

Always give your best effort.

Give your maximum effort to those who expect it of you. Your employer, your family, and your friends deserve your best work. Not only do they deserve it, but in the end it will be easier on you. I’ll explain.

If you’re someone who spends a lot of time slacking off, you’re probably spending as much time covering your tracks. You’re deleting cookies from your non work related web surfing. Your having to lie about where you were all day. It’s stressful and time consuming to carry on like this.

When you try hard every day, you will feel better about yourself. You’ll have the confidence that comes with knowing you have done everything in your power to get the job done. More importantly, though, you’ll have the self-respect that comes with putting in a good, honest days work.

Don’t over-complicate.

This is the “keep it short and simple” principle. I have an example for this one:

One day I was exiting the Motor Vehicle office, and I came across a hot dog man. I was hungry, so I made a bee line for the cart, and ordered two.

This was at a time in my life where I was a manager of a location for a large company. The culture of that company was changing. We were getting increasingly bogged down with reports, and having to learn new, complicated systems to accomplish the smallest task. We found ourselves spending all day on these reports, and having no time to actually conduct business. It was all very frustrating and draining.

And then there was the hot dog guy.

I remember looking at him, and thinking, “brilliant!” Here is a guy who has figured something out. His business plan looks a little something like this:

• Cook Hot Dogs.
• Sell Hot Dogs.
• Count Money.

Also, he always had lunch covered. Bonus.

My point is that the hot dog guy was keeping it simple. He was smiling, and enjoying his work. The K.I.S.S. method was working for him – deliciously.

I’m not suggesting that we can all adopt as simple a business model as the hot dog guy did, but there is a lesson to be taken from him. We must keep things simple, whenever possible, and avoid overcomplicating our business, and our lives.

However you interpret the K.I.S.S. principle – if you follow it chances are you’ll be more effective, and much happier. You’ll spend less time defending your actions and maintaining your web of deceit. You’ll have the quiet confidence that comes with a sound work ethic. If you get off track, then do what I do – think of the hot dog guy.

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Communication is a vital skill that we must use all day, every day. We communicate with co-workers, managers, customers, family, and friends multiple times in a day, and cannot function in today’s world without communicating. We should, therefore, seek to maximize our effectiveness when communicating with the people in our lives.

But what is communication? Webster’s dictionary defines it as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.

Communication, however, is much more than that. Effective communication comes from within. It comes from the desire to understand someone else’s point of view – even if it is at odds with yours. It comes from a spirit of cooperation. Truly effective communication is a skill held by people who are confident, compassionate, and wise.

Here are a few points that will help to explain.

Listen then talk:

We have all been conditioned to view communication as a competition. In fact, our entire Western society is built on the competitive model. We must compete in order to win. We are great competitors. Survival of the fittest, right?

Yes, but that isn’t how effective communication works. Communication is not a competition.

When you are in a dialogue with someone, are you listening – really listening to their point of view – or are you chomping at the bit to throw in your next brilliant point. We have all been guilty of doing that. In fact, we’ve been conditioned to communicate that way. The person who gets their point across the most forcefully, or the loudest, or the most eloquently wins, right?

Consider that communication is not a competition at all. It is a group effort towards a higher understanding. Ideally there should be more than one winner. Consider that however brilliant your point may be, that there might be many other points of equal brilliance that should be heard.

It is the convergence of great ideas that leads to a collective higher understanding. This can only be accomplished when an emphasis is put on understanding other peoples’ points. Do not fear that the other ideas being shared will overshadow –or beat – yours. Have the confidence to draw good ideas from the people around you, whether it’s your boss or an underling, and you’ll end up with a much stronger finished product.

Please don’t dominate the rap, jack, if you’ve got nothing new to say…

We’ve all had to work with – and probably for – a real blabbermouth. They are a never-ending fountain of verbiage. Don’t they sound just like Charlie Brown’s school-teacher after a while? “Wuh, wah, wuuhh, wahhhhh…” When someone runs at the mouth, but rarely has a point, we will eventually tune them out completely. It gets to a point, before very long, where that person may even have a good idea, but we’ll never hear it. “Wah, wuhh, wahhhh…”

And then there’s that other kind of person. The kind who says very little, but when they speak – people listen. This is the quiet, confident type, who knows how to make a point. These are folks who know that good ideas are measured by their quality, not by their quantity.

Who would you rather be? Who would you rather collaborate with? Who would you rather work for? The fact is that less is more, when it comes to communicating effectively. So save your breath, and you’ll be heard.

In short, good communication takes plenty of confidence and empathy. You must truly seek the opinions of your collaborators. You must never be intimidated or threatened by a good idea – even if you have one of your own to share. Consider that the reason you are collaborating in the first place is to put forward the best possible idea. Cooperative, communication will guide any group towards just that idea – then you all win.

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Well, go ahead and take a big sigh of relief because I have some good news to share with you. Even though we’re going through a bit of a rough spot doesn’t mean you just have to throw up your hands and deal with it. Learn how to build your own wealth in a bad economy–and realize that it’s about more than what shows on your resume. Take matters into your own hands and take action now.

Start a side business

You’ve always dreamed of being your own boss. And while now may not be the time to quit your job and go 100% on your own, it may be the time to start a side business. It’ll allow you to pursue your dream and make a little extra money while you’re doing it. You’re probably thinking, start a new business when so many businesses are failing? Yes, you heard me right. Think about it for a moment. Even in a bad economy, there are opportunities to be had and you have to grab them. It comes down to the basic supply and demand rule, so think about how you may be able to benefit from a bad situation.

Maybe you’re a marketing manager. In this economy, one of the first cutbacks that a company makes tends to be their marketing department. Fortunately for you, these companies still have to market their products and services. They just can’t afford to employ the marketing people full-time, plus benefits, plus, plus, plus. So what about becoming a marketing consultant to these companies? It’s a win-win. They need marketing services and you have marketing services to offer. You may make enough money on the side to put it all into savings and investments. You may even find that it is lucrative enough to take it full-time.

Take a minute to think about your talents. Then take a minute to think about how you can profit from these talents.

Lower your spending

We all spend frivolously at some point in our lives. Do you really need a Starbucks every day? Or is it really necessary to spend $200 a month eating out at restaurants? The answer to both questions is no. One of the easiest ways to build your wealth is to stop spending it all! Keep tracking of your spending for one month. Then go line-by-line on your spending sheet and see where you can cut. You may find a couple hundred extra dollars, a few thousand dollars, or 20 extra dollars. Whatever the amount, start socking that money away instead of wasting it. And don’t mistake cutting back your spending for giving up living, either. There are plenty of free and low cost ways to entertain yourself and fill your coffee fix (or whatever fix you have).

Don’t make your exit from the stock market… stay calm

If you have money invested in the stock market, the odds are good that you’ve seen it decrease in the past year or so. This is not the time to panic, sell off all your investments, and start stashing money under your mattress. Panic sell-offs are just making a bad situation worse. The market is cyclical and goes up and down. Your wealth will go back up when the market goes back up–and eventually it WILL go back up. This is not to say that you should just sit back and watch your money disappear either. Evaluate your investments once a year and make necessary changes to watch your money grow. Now may be the perfect time to invest in a company that was too expensive before. It’s kind of like the stock market is having a sale. You can get into investments at bargain basement prices.

Even when times are rough, you can take action and turn the bad times into good ones for you. It’s not always about running off and getting a new job to increase your income and increase your wealth. Sometimes it’s about creatively thinking of ways that you can take advantage of the bad economy and turn it into a positive for you.

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With the onset of Blogging and Social Networks such as MySpace and Facebook, the word “transparency” has become akin to revealing all in public. Sometimes casually referred to as “over sharing,” early bloggers talked about everything including their deepest, most private feelings. Photos were being posted on social web sites that revealed drunkenness, partial nudity, or people depicted in violent situations.  Now we have “tagging,” where information can be randomly added to someone’s photo, with or without his or her knowledge.

All is done in the name of being and remaining “transparent.”

How does “transparency” come back to haunt you as an entrepreneur or new college grad looking for a good position at a worthwhile company? A lot of HR Departments are now vetting potential employees on Facebook and MySpace. They can do a simple Google search and find your blog – or literally your online “diary,” where you have revealed not only your deepest thoughts and concerns about yourself, or your religious or political beliefs… but you’ve revealed too much of yourself that may hinder you getting the position that you are interviewing for.

A lot of professional web sites such as LinkedIn have a “profile meter.” Asking you to not only include professional information about yourself – but also personal information. All geared toward someone getting to know you better. Transparency.

However, now is the time to become a bit more “authentic” and less transparent. Let’s learn how to deal with our external world, the business world, by being faithful to our external ideas and judgments about business, clients, prospects, and peers. Being authentic to universal external concepts and perspectives regarding honesty, business etiquette and the reciprocation of ideas, and being open to the perspectives and ideas of others you are doing business with. While remaining faithful to your internal ideas… but keeping much of these ideas and perspectives to oneself…or at least on a personal blog or profile and away from the eyes of your external word…the business world.

Cd Vann a.k.a. Thatwoman_soho , owner of sohobiztube.com and Publisher of Magazine Soho is passionate about remaining less “Transparent” and more Authentic when participating in professional and social networking circles. She enjoys a good glass of wine and a chocolate cigar.

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The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a leader as “a person who has commanding authority or influence.” Though this definition leaves room for leaders who influence their followers in a negative manner, such as Adolf Hitler, there are many leaders who have changed the world for good. In taking a page from the book of these modern-day leaders for positive change, you can improve upon your own life.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah’s rags-to-riches rise to fame is a well-known story, especially since she has been noted as the most influential woman in the world. However, despite the fact that she can afford the best of the best, Oprah has remained true to her humble roots. Being at the head of a media empire as large as hers has subjected her to criticism and mocking, whether aimed at her weight, her romantic life, or her choice of reading material, but Oprah has found a way to succeed in spite of the naysayers. Through all of her ups and downs in the public eye, Oprah has upheld her own values and done things the way she believed was right. Take a tip from Oprah and follow your gut. It doesn’t mean you will be without hardships or criticisms, but when you do achieve something great, you’ll know it was because you stayed true to yourself.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most quoted and most recognized speeches in all of history. At the time in American history when Martin Luther King Jr. spoke his famous words, the climate was tense and racially charged. Yet somehow, Dr. King remained a dreamer. He did not give up hope that one day his mission would be accomplished. Though his life met a tragic and early end, Dr. King should inspire you to dare to dream. When you allow yourself to have hope for the future, you never know when your dreams will come true.

Bono

It may be trendy to go by a one-word name, but Bono has done much more for the world than just following in the footsteps of Cher or Madonna. He is known as one of the world’s most prominent philanthropists and is often seen singing at benefit shows or acting as a spokesperson for charitable organizations. The lesson to learn from Bono is an obvious one – remember those less fortunate than you. Whether you have been blessed with unfathomable riches or you barely earn more than minimum wage, everyone can find something to give back to the global community. You’ll find that not only are you changing the lives of others when you give your time or money, but you’re also bettering yourself.

Al Gore

Al Gore has come a long way since losing the 2000 presidential election by a narrow margin. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian, you have to acknowledge that for someone to spend the amount of time as is required to run for President of the United States and then lose in such a closely contended race as Mr. Gore, the result must be devastating. However, in the year 2008, the tides have turned. Al Gore is now a Nobel Prize winner and a well-known advocate for the fight against global warming. After his loss in the presidential race, he regrouped and found a way to follow his passion. In the same way, when you experience a disappointment in life, don’t give up. Use your setback to reevaluate your goals and find opportunities for future successes.

Bill Gates

A lot can be said about Bill Gates’ accomplishments as a businessman and a philanthropist. He is the richest American and one of the most well-known entrepreneurs ever. However, as much as Mr. Gates’ fame and fortune have brought him, he chose to step down as chief executive officer of Microsoft in 2000. You’d think it would be easy to become a workaholic when your company is as successful as his, but Bill Gates chose to pass on his obligations as a full-time Microsoft leader and pursue other opportunities. Similarly, even if you don’t have the luxury to retire early, make sure to maintain a balance between your work life and your personal life. No matter how successful you are in your career, you won’t be able to keep up “all work and no play” forever.

New leaders emerge each and every day in the world. They come from different walks of life and can teach you different lessons about how to succeed. The leaders in this article have been successful in their endeavors to change the world. By learning from the way they live their lives, you too can become a mover and a shaker.

Find Your True Calling and Be Happy.

David Bohl is offering The Happiness Trilogy as an alternative to personal coaching. Three self-improvement guides, packaged together at one low price. Includes “Your Life in Balance,” “The Goal Book,” and “Your Personal Mission Statement.” Learn more and order today!

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As citizens of the world, each of us is responsible for the health of our planet. Our choices and our actions contribute to the well being or deterioration of the environment. Yet, it’s our earth, the only one we have. If we don’t care about the environment, who will?

Who will preserve the quality of the air? Who will restore our natural resources? Who will help make the planet safe for many generations to come? You will! Anyone and everyone can participate in making our world a safer, less harmful place.

Have you ever thought about how your choices affect the earth’s well being and how you can minimize the impact you and your family make on the environment? From the cars you drive to the products you consume, every choice you make on a daily basis has a consequence for the environment.

Why should you care about the environment?

How about for your health and the health of your children? How about for your quality of life and that of other citizens of the planet? How about for the choices you have of resources that are now being depleted? How about for the air you breathe and the water you drink?

Our natural environment becomes unbalanced and unsustainable when it is polluted and stripped of its natural resources by over-consumption. Our lives are at stake as we find our health being affected by environmental toxins in the air, water, and foods we consume. Our earth is a fragile planet with limited resources. The growing threat of climatic changes means everyone from individuals to businesses must reassess their environmental impact and daily choices.

If you don’t think this situation is critical, here are some facts to consider:

• We use 50% of the Earth’s land area for food production and 50% of the Earth’s available fresh water for drinking.
• The main source of water pollution is not chemical waste but the excrement of farm animals.
• About 70% of the world’s marine species are at risk of extinction.
• By the year 2100, extinction may reach one third of all species now living.
• Animals raised for food currently generate between 15 and 20% of methane emissions globally.
• Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil.
• Around 50 million tons of paper are consumed annually by Americans, more than 850 million trees are cut down.
• Each year, over 63,000 square miles are destroyed resulting in more than half the world’s tropical forests being lost.

We are changing the climate and health of the planet by our every choice. What can you do to show you care about the environment and contribute to its health and longevity? Lots. Here are just a few suggestions. For more ways to save the environment, check some books out of the library or do some online research.

1. Conserve energy at home.

Fix leaky faucets, turn off lights and appliances when not in use, and buy energy efficient products. Check showerheads and toilets for leaks, and consider low flow models. Reduce the settings on water heaters and household thermostats; limit use of air conditioning. Make sure your home is efficiently insulated.

2. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Dispose of harmful materials properly, re-use or recycle things you no longer need, and place recyclables in proper bins for pick up. For every ton of paper recycled, 17 trees are saved.

3. Buy safe products.

Don’t support toxic materials such as home improvement products like paint with lead or food products with pesticides. Buy organic produce when possible, and learn what products are safest for your consumption and for the health of the planet.

4. Drive conservatively.

Carpool or take public transportation when you can, and consolidate your trips for gas conservation. Observe speed limits, and avoid rapid acceleration and excessive breaking and idling. Ride a bike and walk for local errands. Research how you can reduce carbon emissions by keeping your car in top shape. Keep tires properly inflated to improve gas mileage. Every 10 days, drivers with under-inflated tires and poorly maintained engines waste 70 million gallons of gasoline.

5. Green up your life.

Switch to solar energy at home if feasible, grow as much of your own food as you can, use natural fiber clothing, and make your own cleaning and beauty care products.

Educate yourself as much as possible about the environmental issues that concern every earth citizen, and start taking actions that show you care about the environment. Be a role model and leader for others. Each individual contributes to the success of the whole. Go green now!

For an informative slide show on the environment visit: www.colleges.org/enviro/workshops/2006/WadeWorthen_WhySaveEnviro.ppt

For more facts about how you can preserve the environment check out these sites: www.worldwatch.org/node/3915 and www.usa.gov/Citizen/Facts/Facts_Environment.shtml.

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The 21st-century world can be a dangerous place. The wide reach of the Internet and other technological developments makes people more interconnected than ever before. Though this interconnectedness can oftentimes be a positive thing, it opens the doors for identity thieves, child predators, and scam artists to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.

Furthermore, when news headlines are filled with stories of morally bankrupt business leaders and dishonest politicians, it makes the path to righteousness seem like an uphill battle. However, you can start the climb and hopefully have an effect on others by buckling down and beginning to live right.

Know Your Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments brought down by Moses from Mount Sinai are often referenced when people cite their personal rules for living. Whether or not you use the Bible as your ethical measuring tape, it is important to have your own code of ethics to live by.

Survey your life and the world around you. What do you believe is right or wrong? Subjects such as abortion and the death penalty are hotly contested moral issues in the public eye, but when it comes to how you live on a daily basis, attempt to formulate guidelines that you feel comfortable with and then put them into action.

Find Your Purpose

If you work full-time, you likely spend over 2,000 hours at your place of employment in one year. Sure, some of those hours are spent eating lunch and chatting with colleagues around the water cooler, but the bulk of your time spent at work is used to contribute to your company’s purpose. When you spend such a huge amount of time on something, isn’t it only natural that you should feel useful in your position?

If you don’t feel fulfilled and like you have a purpose at work, it could be time to seek out a change that will allow you to feel more satisfied. Think of your personal code of ethics and what you value. Do you see these values coming into play in your work week? Having a job that helps you feel constructive and effective in the broader sense of things will certainly help you on your way to living right.

Do Unto Others…

Everyone knows the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” but not everyone lives by it. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and let stress rule your attitude and the way you treat others, but living right requires a determination to override negative feelings and focus on treating others with respect.

So, the next time your server at a restaurant brings you a hamburger cooked medium-well instead of the rare you asked for, or a newly licensed teenager rear-ends you at a traffic light, think back to a time when you got yourself into a situation that required a little grace and channel that energy.

Give Back

Anyone who has spent time volunteering can tell you that to give is better than to receive. No matter what stage of life you are in – rich or poor, young or old – opportunities abound in your community to help those in need. Volunteering can be a one-day, one-year, or even one-hour commitment, but its impact is sure to last much longer.

If you have plenty to give but don’t know where to allocate your resources, try searching the VolunteerMatch website. VolunteerMatch allows you to search by location and also by keyword. You can even search for virtual volunteering opportunities! Whether you choose to donate blood, tutor a child, or build a home, giving back to your community is a surefire way to start living right.

Buckling down and living right is not a fast process, but it certainly is a life-changing one. Don’t underestimate the power of your own resolve and the changes you can make in the world. Begin by analyzing your personal code of ethics and finding a purpose in your work, but continue the process by treating others how you would like to be treated and giving back to your community.

In the end, you will find your own life has been changed and the positive ripples that flow outward from your actions will in turn change the lives of others.

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