Safety in Penn Station

I made a rule for myself long ago in New York City. When in doubt or scared (like late at night as I was last night) in Penn Station, I just stick close to the boys in the fatigues and berets for as long as I can while heading to my desired destination.

Then, I always feel safe

My Friend Paul, Director of The Nature Conservancy of Long Island

From Paul's blog today:

"I love the Biophilia Hypothesis. Hypothesis says that Humans are biologically programmed to love and need nature. Seems that education has come to teach that pollution is bad, recycling is good. That is definitely an advancement. What's missing for the most part is teaching interconnectivity between man and planet (as well as man to man) in all its forms: water cycles, energy cycles, air cycles, etc... That will be the key understanding that makes a difference when kids grow up and begin to truly think about tackling the tricky resource issues. That will be what they need to understand...are we preparing them to understand that?"

Wouldn't you agree? The Nature Consevancy is a great organization to be involved with if you are looking to donate to a worthwhile nature preservation organization. Over the past 15 years that I have known Paul, he has been part of saving so much land and so many lakes and rivers. In turn, also so many of the species that live there, that to watch him work and, at the same time, be so passionate about it, you cannot help but want to be a part. You can do this by donating, by recycling, by buying produce locally, etc..... there are so many ways. Just take care of the world around you. Try :)
(You can even start by not throwing something out of your window like a guy I saw yesterday. He was barreling down the highway and tossed his lunch wrapper out of the window like it was nothing. Like the world around him was his garbage pail. Seriously?)

http://www.thenatureconservancy.com/

The Big Decision

Strolling back from the Pier in Atlantic City today, I stopped for a bottle of water in this store, and right towards the front, a mother had just given her little girl a quarter to pick something from a cluster of gumball machines. The little girl stood there with her hands on her hips saying, "Hmmmm"... and I had to giggle to myself remembering what a monumental choice it was as a little girl, in front of those machines with a quarter. The quarter that felt like a shiny million dollars because you never had access to money.
So, think about things in that perspective for a moment. Actually think about things like that often. The big and small things in your life. I know it may sound corny, like the whole 'simplicity', think like a child philosophy. But it is so, so, damn true. You can get excited about anything you choose to, depending on your personal perspective. Try to look at things with that gratitude, joy and simplicity as often as possible. So many beautiful moments in nature and in life and with other people will start to become like little miracles to you.
xxoo

Another Day, Another Commute

High Heels- Check
New York Times- Check
Green Tea- Check
Book- Check
Extra Scarf incase train is cold- Check
Headphones- Check
Glasses-Check
Metro Card- Check

I've past my saturation point.

Daydreaming

Staring at the little statue on my desk.....daydreaming already. :(

NYT's Crossword

Attempting the NYT's crossword......with a pen. (You can get the Times anywhere in the world!)
How far will I get? ;)

Carolina

This is Carolina. She was at Joe's wedding a couple of week's ago, and she is close with him and his family. Because of that, I have been blessed to have known her for a little over a year. She is like an Italian mother figure type of friend, and the woman who inspired me to help at my church. She does so much community work and beautiful things for other people, that I couldn't help but be inspired by her and do what I could, also, for the people around me. She also lost her husband of 36 years just two years ago of an unexpected heart attack, and even though he was the love of her life, she presses on and does not feel sorry for herself. That too, is inspiring. Made me want to say to you---make sure to take heed of your elders. Their wisdom, their advice, their life stories. They have much to teach you. And you, in turn, can pass it down to the generations behind you.