photo by Clark Little

My partner Mark and I have been working for a client in Australia, which happens to be one of the driest continents on the planet. We are building 2 web sites for him: Freedom Waterless, which is an ecommerce site meant to promote a waterless car wash product and benefits-of-recycling, which is an information site about recycling and other issues that revolve around the topic of taking care of the environment.

Building his benefits site has given me the opportunity to learn a great deal about water, and how this element in its purest and most natural form is a rare thing. As a matter of fact of all the water on the planet today only 1 per cent is fit to drink.

There are many reasons for this, which we go into detail on the benefits site, but there are other ramifications that we hardly ever even consider… things like the manufacture of water bottles.

In an effort to provide clean and filtered drinking water we have become a world that relies on drinking water from plastic water bottles. And what is the result of this? Our landfills are overflowing because the materials used to make these water bottles take from 450 to 1,000 years to biodegrade.

This fact is important to point out because the reason they became so popular in the first place was to fulfill a market (make money) rather than solve a problem. This happens time and time again in a myriad of other kinds of scenarios.

What’s the solution. It starts with awareness, then spreads to taking responsibility. It doesn’t help to blame and point fingers (as tempting as that might be!). The real solution starts with me and my neighbor, and my sister and the guy that works for me, etc, etc.

My husband and I started a couple of years ago by using Brita filters for our water. We also water our lawn a little less (just enough to keep the Home Owners Association off our backs!) and we teach my husband’s son this lesson when he stays with us.

It’s not a lot but I feel better about doing something. There are really many, many little things – easy things – we can do every day to turn things around. What things? Just visit Benefits-of-Recycling and visit the pages:

Water Conservation Solutions

Water Conservation Methods

Water Conservation Devices

That’s it for now. Till next time… be like nature.

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

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“There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

The benefits of recycling are far-reaching. It is easy not to participate in a movement when you are not aware that a movement (or problem) exists. But ignorance is not an excuse. Signs are presented to us every day. The forces in the world we live in speak to us in mysterious and beautiful ways.

The communication may start out gently, but the longer we continue to pretend we haven’t heard a message, the communication will become more aggressive.

So remember the next time the wind, a bird or a crack in the road tries to get your attention – listen. It’s always a choice. Choose well and wake up feeling more alive.

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

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Earth Day has come and gone, but the planet we inhabit still remains with its beauty and with its issues and challenges.

It is easy to appreciate our lush surroundings and majestic scenery, but do you ever stop to think what needs to be done to protect it?

If you are like most people, you do sometimes. You understand about the whole responsibility issue. So, I won’t even go there.

I will just leave you with a related quote…

“Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure.”

— John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day

And for those of you that would like more information on the benefits of recycling, visit benefits-of-recycling.com.

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

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]]> http://www.belikenature.com/?feed=rss2&p=51 3 http://www.belikenature.com/?p=50 http://www.belikenature.com/?p=50#comments Sat, 09 May 2009 22:48:11 +0000 Kim McGinnis http://www.belikenature.com/?p=50 photo by Hadassah28

This post is for all the Moms out there.

My Mom passed away a couple of years ago, but I think about her often.

I found this poem and it reminded me of her…

Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children.  ~Sam Levenson

I wasn’t the easiest kid to raise. But, I think we both benefited enormously from the journey. I  know when I see my Mom again, we will laugh about the whole experience.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

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Give up all bad qualities in you,

banish the ego, and develop the spirit of surrender.

Then you will experience Bliss.

–Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

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photo by S.M.

Do you sometimes feel like a tree is whispering to you? Or the night air is calling? I know it may sound a little strange, but I think nature tries to communicate to us humans just as it does with other parts of nature. I mean I know I try to talk to my dogs all the time. And I swear they understand me.

Of course, what they are hearing is the feeling that is being emitted from me. Their response is usually appreciation or love, because they are simply reflecting the feelings I am communicating. This is all getting a little wordy, isn’t it? That’s why I posted the beautiful picture. I will let that do the talking.
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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

I’ve always loved books. Not reading so much all the time, but I really do love books. Maybe it’s all that goes into writing one. When I visit the library or, better yet, visit a book shop filled with used books, the history seems to seep from every surface. Not so nice if you’re a germaphobic, but I think many can appreciate the feeling.

These days I read a few pages and I have to shut my eyes. Not sure what’s up with that. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the content of what I’m reading. Maybe I’m unconsciously trying to dream what I’ve picked up from the text.

Books are like nature. There are made from nature’s resources, and filled with stories that nature inspired. Simply holding a book can make me feel more grounded, like I’m getting in touch with the best part of myself.

I have about 5 different books going on right now. I wonder which one will draw me in tonight…
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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

This lovely picture was taken by Ilonquayou. Do you sometimes just like to look at beautiful pictures? Me too. Words can not compete with the feelings that can be evoked by seeing something pure and beautiful. Luckily for us nature shows them to us free of charge.

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

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But, it’s all good. There really was not a better choice. Hopefully stronger regulations will be in place to make sure the people in charge of so much power don’t wield it in ways that are bad for the people…time will tell.

In the mean time, my husband, Mark, and I have taken our financial destiny in our own hands and started a new website, Manifest-Passive-Income, http://www.Manifest-Passive-Income.com
Mark and I are very passionate about the kind of lifestyle that is possible with passive income, and we want to present to others how this lifestyle is not only possible to attain, it is impossible to avoid, if you practice diligently, and act on the tools and techniques presented on our website.

Life is short. Don’t allow your lives to be consumed with work that brings you nothing but swollen feet, a pounding head, a bitter attitude. Instead, Be Like Nature. Sit quietly, and rest for a moment, in all your inherent glory. Imagine the kind of life you really want. Think back to when you were a little kid, when the idea of possibilities, excited and motivated you.

That’s what Mark and I did. And that’s why we started Manifest-Passive-Income. That is also why we are going to be presenting a seminar in Denver on the very same topic. Go to Manifest-Passive-Income to check it out. Just click on the Seminars button on the bottom left-hand side of the home page.

That’s it for now, gotta go. Till then, be like nature…

Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature