This week’s Monday Motivation is all about taking the initiative. Hillel the Elder is credited with asking, “If not now, when? If not you, who?” These piercing questions are especially important when taken in the context of the movement toward a more mindful existence: Mindful consumption of goods, mindful disposal of goods, and mindful choices in everyday living. It is up to each one of us to take the initiative; to pick up that can or wrapper on the sidewalk and dispose of...

  “Start with what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” -Francis of Assisi Given that he lived and died 800 years ago, Francis of Assisi probably wasn’t referring to sustainability, the “green” movement, or anything environmental at all when he uttered this powerful advice. Yet taken in the context of environmental responsibility, his words are nonetheless still powerfully motivating. It just takes one small...

How much do you really know about textile recycling? If you’re like most Americans, the answer is: Not much. As a people, we’ve gotten very good at recycling paper, metal, plastic, and glass, but the recycling of textiles has yet to become commonplace. We want to change that!   So what are textiles, anyway? Textiles are fabrics and products made from fibrous threads. Common household textiles include clothing, shoes, soft toys (plush toys), rugs, curtains, bed...

‘Art’ and ‘garbage’ are not synonymous, unless you’re one of the five following artists who have created fantastic works using discarded and/or otherwise worthless items. Prepare to be amazed…or at least very, very impressed.   Torn magazine collage by Derek Gores Why we love it: For most of us, a magazine or newspaper’s value is in its words. We read it, then toss it (hopefully in the recycling bin!). For artist Derek Gores, though,...

  A proverb is a succinct saying that teaches a principle or conveys a lesson or admonition. Often poetic, poignant, or both, their purpose is to cause us to ponder and ultimately internalize the principle/lesson/admonition and incorporate it into our lives. They are important because their messages transcend time; indeed many of them are hundreds of years old but are just as applicable today as they were when they were first uttered.   Proverb Number One: “We do not...