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Michelle Scism
is a LEED accredited professional who enjoys recycling vintage
t-shirts into fashion accessories. Megan Sheils is a federal
reference librarian. She received her Masters Degree in Library
Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and was
selected as an American Library Association Emerging Leader
for 2008. She lives in Washington, DC, where she is helping
to organize Girls Rock! DC, a rock and roll camp for girls.
www.girlsrockdc.org
 This
time of year, we muster through the holidays and take time
to reflect on how the year has passed. It may be just a date
on the calendar, but many look at January 1 as a day to start
over. Wouldn’t it be nice to make a meaningful and achievable
goal this year?
As you look forward to the beginning of 2010, consider adopting
a more philanthropic set of resolutions. Instead of making
the same unattainable resolutions as last year, perhaps the
key is to use the welfare of others as a motivator for making
real changes in the New Year.
Here are just ten typical resolutions and some ways to update
them for 2010 to make them more realistic and more rewarding!
| 1. |
Stop smoking: Nicotine patches and smokeless
cigarettes are just one half of the equation. To help
follow through on your promise to yourself, take your
commitment public. Join a support group, speak at a school
to educate kids about how smoking has affected your life,
visit lung cancer patients or educate others about the
environmental impacts of smoking. Focusing often on the
benefits of not smoking will help to cancel out the void
left by the addiction. Start by visiting the
American Cancer Society's website, which allows
you to search for activities, resources, and volunteer
opportunities by zip code. |
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| 2. |
Exercise more/lose weight: Lose weight by
training for a charity walk, run or cycling event. Involve
others by forming a team and raising money and awareness
for one of many causes, such as Bike
MS for multiple sclerosis, Race
for the Cure for breast cancer or AIDS
Walk. All sites link you to local events. |
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| 3. |
Save money and reduce debt:
Save money by volunteering an evening at a soup kitchen
or a shelter for battered women instead of going out on
the town. It's a social and rewarding way to spend your
time without doing the same old thing. Opt to stay in
with friends more often to cut down on entertainment costs,
take up gardening to reduce spending on food or encourage
friends to have clothing
swaps and trade used goods instead of buying things
new. |
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| 4. |
Drive less: If it's practical, sell your
car and join a car share program like Zip
Car, which operates in several major cities and
college areas. This will cut down on maintenance and insurance
costs as well as parking. Always consider walking, public
transportation and carpooling as options when making trips.
A visit to the website of your local transit provider
will likely demystify the process if you are new to the
system. Driving less benefits you in savings and everyone
by reducing emissions. |
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| 5. |
Get a new job or enroll in classes: Being
an educated, well-rounded woman makes you a great asset
to yourself and your community. Consider carefully what
you're looking for in a new job. Is a green job a possibility?
Would you be interested in working for a nonprofit? Can
you work for or start up a small business? Thinking about
how this goal affects both you and those around you can
make you feel more confident in your decision. Idealist
offers a clearinghouse of nonprofit and other jobs across
the country. |
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| 6. |
Travel more: Traveling may seem like a luxury,
but tourism is a key part of the revenue for many travel
destinations. Travel is also an important way to learn
about history, culture and art. Ecotourism is now a major
draw in many parts of the world that are trying to preserve
the natural environment. You might also consider taking
part in a volunteer trip to help people in other parts
of the US or the world. |
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| 7. |
Watch less TV: Reality TV is all the rage,
but real life is where it's at. Start a game night with
family or friends to play board games, poker or complete
jigsaw puzzles. Join a book club—or start one if
you prefer to select the books yourself. Watching less
TV uses less energy and allows you to engage more with
family and friends. An hour whiled away at Charades is
worth so much more than an hour wasted flipping channels.
For more ideas check out Insteadoftv.com. |
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| 8. |
Donate to charity: The simplest way to donate
to charity is by donating objects instead of money. Start
the year off right with a good sorting of your belongings.
Take the opportunity to purge unwanted or unneeded clothing,
toiletries and housewares. By donating items you can simplify
your own life while enriching the lives of others. |
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| 9. |
Be green: It's easy to recycle, use less
energy and buy local-and that's just the short-list of
ways to lessen your impact on the environment. Having
a green lifestyle benefits everyone. National
Geographic's Green Guide offers a plethora of
ideas for incorporating in your everyday life. |
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| 10. |
Volunteer more: Look for volunteer opportunities
that appeal to your passions. If you like animals, try
the humane society. If you like children, mentor a child
or become a big sister. There are a plethora of opportunities
available, including more activist-oriented activities
such as phone banking or canvassing for a cause you feel
passionately about. Start by brainstorming your pet causes
and searching for related organizations in your city or
town. Reputable organizations will post their mission
statements on their websites so you can see if it's a
match. |
Thinking outside the box is the best way to set yourself
up for successful New Years' Resolutions. It's important to
establish goals that are fun and rewarding to accomplish.
Sometimes we lack the self respect to be motivated by our
own desires alone. For many, considering how our actions impact
others can be a powerful catalyst for moving toward reaching
these resolutions.
Good luck and Happy New Year!!!
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