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

photo by Love Chaos

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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photo by Visserligen


President Bush gave a speech last night about the state of the economy. It wasn’t good. As it turns out the taxpayers are going to be bailing our some institutions that got carried away with greed. Isn’t that nice of us!

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

photo by tsevis’

I just watched the Obama speech online. Even if I was unsure about this guy before, all misgivings have disappeared. His speech was more than one of promises, it was also about responsibility. He could not have been more right on.

I have had this conversation before with others that are against any sort of socialism. Their argument is that we should be responsible entirely for ourselves . That if we are in a certain situation, whether it is homeless or living in a gang-infested neighborhood…we made our bed so we should just lie in it. I understand where they are coming from, I really do. I am not a big fan of the victim mentality.

But I can’t help but feel there is something inherently wrong about the lack of compassion in this argument. Don’t we as human beings have a responsibility to other things or people other than ourselves? Do we not have a responsibility to keep our families provided for, to extend a hand to someone who really needs a little help, to call our friends that we have lost touch with because they were in our thoughts and we know it matters to connect, to offer a kind word to a cashier that is having a bad day, to call your mom even though you really do not want to, to leave a ridiculous tip because you have a feeling the waitress needs it even more than you do.

And don’t we have a responsibility to keep our homes in order, to keep debris off our driveways, to keep our cars clean, to abstain from throwing litter in public places, to drive at a safe speed, to keep on cell phones off while we are concentrating on the road, to be aware of the laws, and respect that most of them make alot of sense.

Many of us do many of these things. We have moments of kindness, and generosity. Personally, I know I could do better. Unfortunately there are those that do barely anything to give back, to extend their sense of responsibility. Interestingly, sometimes the people that are in need of the most help, take their sense of responsibility the most seriously.

They champion for their children, they fight the insurance companies, they demand justice when they get laid off due to outsourcing, and they raise the awareness of the world when their cries are drowned out with rhetoric.

I think I have always routed for the underdog. Not sure why. Maybe I also grouped myself in that category. I came from a below middle class family, my family always struggled with money issues, and I was often made fun of because of my ways.

It made me stronger in a way. It was never so bad that I could not go to college or find some kind of work or pick myself up out of an undesirable situation. I was very fortunate.

I know others are not so fortunate. And I don’t believe it’s because they deserve it. No one deserves to not be seen. It boggles my mind and saddens me to realize that some people have this point of view. Hopefully, they are in the minority. I truly believe that is the case.

I guess we will find out soon enough. Come November we will have more of the same “take what you can get mentality” or it will be one human responsibility and compassion. Which one will you vote for?

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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

photo by Daniel

I saw a wonderful movie today called Bottle Shock. It was based on a true story which took place in the mid-1970s. A certain group of people in Northern California decide to live their dreams, and work to create wine that has always been held in the deepest regard, up to this point, only in France.


Their mission to produce superior wine is fueled, not by commercialism, but by a passion to create a beautiful and fluid work of art. Many can relate to the love of wine, the depth of its color, the layers of subtle and pronounced tastes, the distinct aroma, and the lingering effects which stay alive on the palette.


There is a point in the movie where the hero is talking to a young female intern who has traveled many miles to learn the craft of wine making. He bends down to the earth, and scoops up some dry dirt among the vibrant grape vines. He explains to the intern that the vines thrive when the soil is dry because they know they have to struggle more to survive.

These vines that are fighting back against scarcity will always produce more complex grapes than vines that are surrounded by soil that is moist. Like humans, it seems, it is the struggle that builds depth and character.


It is challenging to put your prized plants through this grueling method. What if they are pushed to far and wither? Undeterred, these brave men and women fight against being ostracized and having financial ruin thrust upon them, and (their biggest heartbreak) losing the very thing that brought them to their own sacred vineyards.


In the end, the hero’s wine is claimed the winner in a blind taste test performed by snobbish, elite French judges in Champagne, France. News spreads like wild fire, and his “California” wine becomes sought after throughout the nation, and the world. The message is a simple one that I never grow tired of: “Never give up.” The story was told with truth, and the scenery was beautiful. The time was nostalgic and the theme is timeless.


Now what can be better than that?

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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

photo by, sylko


I discovered something I was not aware of the other day. On a drive in Boulder, Colorado my brother-in-law (James) and sister-in-law (Lura), and Mark and I were talking about traffic and cars. We were buzzing along during rush hour because we were on a toll road. I wished that we had this option when we lived in California. Pay an extra 2, 3 or 4dolllars, and get an open highway…you betcha.


So, the topic of hybrids came up – the Prius to be exact. I remember right before we left to move to Colorado, our Tax Accountant, John, just brought a brand new Prius. He seemed very happy with his purchase. I am not so sure if it was because he was being kind to the earth, or more that he was frugal, and was excited about not spending so much at the gas station. Either way, “good for him”, I thought at the time.


So, the other day, James and Lura point out that the Prius is not such a green or economical car, after all. Apparently the battery that runs this car only last a certain amount of time, and after that you need to buy a new one, in order to run on the open road. The cost of one of these economical car batteries? About $15,000.


Apparently no one is sure how long these batteries last, so I guess, you just better hope you get lucky, and hope you have the energizer bunny on your side. And then what do you do with these batteries, and how long will mother earth have to carry them in her belly?


I get a stomach ache just thinking about it. Hey, but I hate to be one of those people that complains about companies that are at least trying to make a difference, and come up with alternative solutions. And who knows if the information I gleaned was accurate. I love James and Lura, and they are very intelligent people, but I did not ask for their sources…maybe I will the next time I see them. And I promise to get back to you when I get the scoop.


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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

photo by david9wong

I am sure most of you are familiar with the various ways we humans can be more green. Here are a few common ways most of us are aware of: recycling, using energy efficient light bulbs, purchasing Seventh Generation products (tissue, toilet paper, dish soap, etc.), using a water filter and forgoing the plastic water bottles, and using canvas shopping bags. We may use a combination of some of these, and some of us (me included), could do alot better…we do the best we can.

But I think there is a great way to conserve our precious natural resources that many people have not considered – working from home. Not only is this a great green alternative to driving to work, it allows you more freedom to do the things that make your life more enjoyable. If your place of employment does not offer this option, do no let this stop you.

There is a way to make more money (green) from home by working online, than you can make in your present job. Then you will have the time to do those other things that are good to the earth, like growing your own organic vegetable garden, washing your clothes in cold water, then hanging your clothes out to dry. They will smell lovely, save your energy dollars by not running the dryer, and the clothes themselves will last longer as the dryer will not make them shed wispy fibers.

Read more…

photo by niculina

I love coffee. I love the smell of it, the dark rich taste of it, and the way it feels when I cup it in my hands. I carry my favorite green coffee cup around with me in the morning like a security blanket, so I can sip from it often. And it is regular. The caffeine works for me…in the morning. Of course, everyone’s different.

Take my husband. I keep the real stuff away from him. He has some sort of chemical reaction to it, that make a great day turn stressful and dark. I know many people opt for decaf, some even touting that caffeine is simply not good for you. That the stimulant is like a drug which clouds your consciousness. Hey, everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

But is caffeine really bad for you? My personal opinion is that it not bad for me. In an article By Sid Kirchheimer, WebMD Feature, the evidence actually shows that your health will improve if you drink it. According to his Harvard study which followed 126,000 people over 18 years, “Downing one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. But having six cups or more each day slashed men’s risk by 54% and women’s by 30% over java avoiders.”

According to Kirchheimer, in the past few decades there have been about 19,000 studies done on the effect. of coffee. That alot of interest in this drug of choice for a growing number of Americans. And in a time where we are hearing everything under the sun (like many fresh veggies) are bad for you, it is refreshing to hear scientific evidence that this popular beverage make your body healthier.

In another study,Tomas DePaulis, PhD claims “Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful,” says the research scientist at Vanderbilt University’s Institute for Coffee Studies, which conducts its own medical research and tracks coffee studies from around the world. “For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good.”

In addition to helping the effects of diabetes here are some other diseases that coffee has been discovered to help:

Parkinson’s Disease, Colon Cancer, Headaches, Depression, Cirrhosis of the Liver, and Asthma.

And, according to other studies, besides the caffeine, regular coffee is also loaded with another goodie which leads to longevity: “Coffee is loaded with antioxidants, including a group of compounds called quinines that when administered to lab rats, increases their insulin sensitivity. This increased sensitivity improves the body’s response to insulin.”

If you are wondering about how much coffee to drink, the consensus seems to be about 2 mugs a day. Works for me. But, I’m still keeping it away from my husband. We are definitely a 2 coffee pot household.

We are all wired differently, and we each have our set of ailments (mental and physical) to deal with. So why not live and let live – stop feeling guilty about enjoying your joe-enjoy. That is, of course, if you are not an Olympic athlete.

Did you know… Caffeine is on the International Olympic Committee list of prohibited substances. Athletes who test positive for more than 12 micrograms of caffeine per milliliter of urine may be banned from the Olympic Games. This level may be reached after drinking about 5 cups of coffee.

Just an amateur athlete? Or just a regular joe? Then kick a few back, get stimulated, and be healthy. And, as in nature, mind your own business, do the things that make you grow, and add to the environment by your simple way of being…

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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

photo by Jocelyn McAuliflower

Ever wonder or worry about expiration dates on food? What does it mean when it is written “sell by?” or “best if used by?” How accurate are these date? The following chart that I found on GourmetSleuth.com is a great way to fill in the blank to these questions:

Some people are pickier than others. A good rule of thumb is to be cautious. And particularly with meat or fish, do the sniff test. If you can take a big whiff without scrunching your nose or getting queasy, you will be okay. If you are a stickler for freshness, then follow the dates to a tee.

When nature supplies its goodies in the wild, animals always respond quickly. And its not just because another beast will eat it if they do not claim it. The food, whether it be animal or vegetable, will not be edible if left to the environmental elements. That’s why it is best [safest] to act like the wild beast and eat your food soon after the hunt.

Eat well. Till next time…

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Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature