Collaborative Consumption

U on Sunday magazine last week had an excellent article on collaborative consumption. This is all about sharing and using the internet to connect people. There are many websites covering this concept, from couch surfing to renting out your lawn mower. I am inspired by the opportunities available to help others, while receiving a benefit at the same time. What a win win situation! Check out www.freegler.com and www.spaceout.com.au as examples of what can be done. Here are some quotes that I like:

The theory of Collaborative Consumption suggests we should lend or rent out our underused gadgets to save money – and the world.

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Collaborative Consumption takes many forms, but essentially it’s a new way of consuming -renting, recycling, sharing and lending goods instead of buying them.  It’s about reducing consumption, cutting waste and stretching the life-cycle of products.

Thinking About Our Contributions

What will we contribute to our world? That's a a heavy duty question. We're not all in a position to donate large amounts of money, or to use our influence to make major changes. But we can all make a difference. A small action could lead to bigger consequences. Give someone your smile today. Withhold judgement when talking to (or about) others. Be enthusiastic about a friend or relative's ideas. Pick up a piece of garbage that isn't yours. Drop a gold coin into a hat you've been trying hard to ignore. Let a car into your traffice lane with a friendly wave. Hold the lift doors open for someone in a hurry. Perform a random act of kindness.
I've often heard the saying "Giving is it's own reward". It's true, because is makes us feel better about ourselves. Give something today and feel better about yourself.

Give Yourself a Break - Part 2

How has your week been? Have you enjoyed your life over the last 7 days? Do you like who you are?
Are you living the life you desire?
Or are you listening to the voice in your head that tells you that you can't? That you're useless? That you're stuck where you are?
Please give yourself a break and start changing that voice. We all have an inner critic looking over our shoulder providing a running commentary. Most of it is uncomplimentary. But you can actually change that voice and begin to move towards the things you want. Every time you hear or say those negative words about yourself, change the sentence to something good. Every person has talent, ability and strength. Give yourself a break and find yours.

Give Yourself a Break

Busy, busy, busy! Phone calls, texts, blogs, radio, TV, newspapers, internet, emails, children, family, work mates all clamouring for your attention. Feeling pressured? No wonder!

Starting today, find some minutes in your day to switch off. Lucky enough to be in the car by yourself? Turn off the music or news. Don't think. Give your brain a rest. Taking public transport? Listen to relaxing music, or go for the "white noise" earphones. Sit in your car for a few minutes and do nothing before rushing off.

Look for spaces in your routine. Be creative and use those few precious minutes for downtime. Let your mind float. Ignore everything.

Go on - give yourself a break!

When the Giving is Easy

Thanks to the song "Summer Time" for the paraphrasing!

It's easy to give when you enjoy what you're doing. Writing, and helping others to write, inspires me. The creative process fascinates me - what an escape! We're transported to another world when we read. Writing fiction is the ultimate power trip - everything is in your control! Don't like a character? Bump him or her off without a qualm. Love your character? Make him, her or it larger than life, endowed with brilliant qualities.

Find your passion. Or even find something you quite like. Incorporate it into your life and find a way to give something to others. You'll like the results.

Giving away more "things"

I read an article recently, where the writer said that as he grew older, he felt less need for "things". I believe there is a quiet trend for people to cut back, and to ask themselves if they really need an item before they buy it. Having just sorted through my garage and given away 3 cartons of items, I'm feeling better about the decluttering. More empty space in my home makes me feel relaxed for some reason.
I love the recycling of goods, it makes sense to pass on something to someone who can use it. I've always enjoyed browsing through second hand furniture. It's a pleasure to find a bargain, and take it home triumphantly. So let's give more and share more - our world needs as much recycling as possible.

Giving When You Don't Feel Like It

I love articles and stories about people helping each other, and random acts of kindness. This week I'm concentrating on giving when I don't feel like it. Someone wants me to listen when I want to do something else. A car wants to get into my lane when I'm in a hurry. A work colleague needs help when I'm busy. There are many times in all of our lives when we can give a little of ourselves to someone who needs it. Let's be kind to each other, and a little bit more giving.

Giving Appreciation

We all love to feel appreciated, but how often do we remember to tell others how much we appreciate them? I have been actively practising this, but I've noticed that opportunities to say something positive slip by in a flash.
Last week a checkout girl loaded my groceries into my trolley, so I thanked her and said that she was providing excellent customer service. When I arrived home, I realised I could have let her supervisor know about her kindness.
Valentine's Day is coming soon. It would be an excellent time to let someone close to you know how much you enjoy their company.
Thanks for reading this blog!

RSPCA makes giving easy

Thanks to RSPCA who deliver bags to our houses. We can fill them with clothing, linen, etc and help raise funds for the RSPCA. Well done to all the volunteers who make this possible.
The name of the charity that assists people with vision problems (see last post) is OneSight. They have provided free eye care and eye wear to over 7 million people in the last 20 years, both overseas and in Australia. If you'd like to find out more, their website is http://www.onesight.org/.

Helping people with vision problems

Did you know that you can leave your old preloved glasses at OPSM and they pass them on to a charity that gives them to people who can't afford any eye care?
Helping to give someone the ability to see better is easy, and produces amazing results.
If you don't have any glasses or spectacles, maybe you could ask around and collect them from friends and family.
We are all reminded of the Queensland floods last January. Our thanks to everyone who helped us recover from this disaster.

Giving Again

Now that the festive season is over I'm almost back to my normal routine. Giving to help others is once again on my agenda. This week there are no giant steps to help mankind! I gave some old towels to the local vets, so they can use them on the animals' beds. Even though it's a teeny act in a very big world, I am convinced that our daily actions can make the changes we desire.
Please give what you can on a regular basis.

Thank You

It's been my goal to give something each week for 52 weeks. I have managed to do this most of the time. What I didn't expect was the pleasure I found in being able to help someone. We have all heard that it is better to give than receive, and I believe I understand that now.
I would like to pass on a big Thank You to everyone who has helped me during 2011. All positive comments and helpful actions inspire me. Can you imagine the changes we could cause if we all gave just a little more in 2012?
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful 2012.

Time is Tight

I'm feeling the lack of time at the moment, so instead of feeling guilty about not giving outside of our family circle, I've decided to concentrate on the projects in hand. Hopefully this means that those involved will benefit from the results.
The NightWriters writing group is running a writers workshop on Saturday 10th December. I'm preparing great information to take home, and a fun program to help us reconnect with our "inner writer selves".
All are welcome to come to the Write Now Cafe at 9.30am at Mt Ommaney library.

Let's give away books

I've recently received requests for books - some for the Mother Africa project for Zimbabwe and for the Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library. I love the idea of passing on good books that we've read. Being engrossed in a story takes all our attention; it's a mini escape for the mind. Text books impart knowledge, anywhere at any time - no internet required. I had a few favourite childhood books that I read again and again. During school we struggled through Shakespeare, Charles Dickins and Thomas Hardy. Isn't it amazing that work from so long ago is still read and enacted in theatres today?
If you love a book - set it free. (Sorry about the paraphrase!)
Let someone else enjoy it too. Many new state schools need books, because funding only allows for the building and the librarian, not the resources! Most charities accept books. Retirement villages, nursing homes, second hand book stores .. let's pass on and share our books.

Giving Support

Is there a cause you're passionate about? Is there something you feel strongly about? Givit.org is asking these questions to help us find out what we'd like to support. Is it giving a voice to children? Assisting the sick and needy? Looking after animals? There are so many worthy causes and charities that we sometimes suffer from "giving fatigue". But each of us can make a difference. I have chosen to help in areas that interest me - writing and World Vision. We have sponsored 4 children who were living in poverty. Now 3 of them no longer need our help. Some have grown up and left school with a good education. Recently, the village we were supporting in Haiti has become self sufficient. Isn't that a mind boggling thought? A group of strangers world wide have helped an entire village. So let's continue to give.

Thank You for Giving

Thanks to everyone for your comments on this blog - some electronic, some in person. I have a technical glitch that stops me from posting comments on my own blog!
Thank you also to the writers who assisted in many ways - your efforts ensured a successful writers workshop.
Thank you to every individual who uses their time to help others. Your efforts always make a difference. I'd like you to know that you are appreciated.
It's been a very busy week or so - we've given away furniture and goods to people who really need it - what a win /win situation. We feel good, and they feel good too. I heard some amazing stories over the weekend.
There is no doubt about it - Australia is a wonderful country.

Giving and Receiving

I read an excellent article on giving. The author advised us not to think of giving as a major altruistic act, or as something noble, because we can then let ourselves off the hook by saying "we're not like that". She said that giving is done by ordinary people who wish to do so.
Wow - that wipes out all my excuses!
I have already been rewarded for some of my gifts or acts of giving. I've received wonderful emails, and had great pleasure in knowing someone has been helped and/or uplifted by something I've done. It's a powerful way to connect with others, even if only for a short while.
On a more mundane level, my house decluttering continues. I'm planning to give away more furniture and goods - unwanted now, but previously loved.
Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to comment on my blog. I do appreciate the thought and effort that goes into doing that.

Giving and Sharing

This week I’m sharing ideas. Have you ever thought of a better way to do something? Or had a good idea and not done anything with it? Now is the time to pass on those thoughts. Who knows where they will end up? Asking questions and being interested shows our willingness to contribute.

Complimenting others on a job well done is another form of giving. So it’s all about feedback and sharing this week. If you would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to comment.

Giving Away Furniture

Last week was an interesting one. I had to learn to stop interrupting and listen. I heard some thoughts and ideas that I'm sure I wouldn't have without actively trying.
This week I'm donating unused furniture. I find it hard to believe that we've collected so much. We are indeed fortunate to have excess belongings.
The giving continues.

Giving the gift of listening

This week I am practising my listening skills. Instead of waiting to interrupt someone and put forward my point of view, I am actually listening! It's not as easy as it sounds, because I have to concentrate on what others are saying. But it's interesting.
Try taking on someone else's point of view - it's almost an act of generosity. Not many of us have dedicated listeners who hang on to our pearls of wisdom!
Giving appropriate responses is also a part of listening. I re-read some of Stephen Covey's work last week. He said his life changed when he realised that between an action and our response to it is an opportunity to decide how we will react.
That's what I'm concentrating on this week.