All the junk in this world

When we get to see all the dirty and polluted rivers, streams and seas, we often would wonder, where did all this come from?

A lot of our garbage and junk are basically are wasted material. Wasted material because we had no use of them, so we got rid of these things. I kinda realized, so many things in my life can be seen as unused materials. Items I never use, yet I bought, and now sit and gather dust.
Oh, they can range from clothes never worn, books never read, videos watched only once, figurines and decorations which have no purpose whatsoever, yet, lay untouched and useless in my home.

These are the things I may eventually throw out one day, and become a part of that junk that pollutes the world.

I wonder, if I only thought wisely before buying any of these junk, would I not be contributing to the JUNK OF THE WORLD?

Anyhow, from now on, the question will always be, DO I NEED IT?

That way, I know there will be less clutter and junk, and doing so, the first step begins with us.
Small simple steps, to waste not and to want not.

The health of one and the health of the planet

I think that caring for oneself can be likened to the caring of the earth. We often tell ourselves, we need to take care of ourselves now, by eating right, living healthy and exercising, doing all the necessary things right now, to avoid getting sick with an illness or any other health related diseases we may get in the future. If we continue to live unhealthily, then, we may face the dire consequences in the future.

So can be said for our planet, because if we don’t act now. Then, the consequences can be extreme for the future.

But are we doing anything about it? Well, it’s easier said than done. Living green is a commitment. There are things we need to start doing, eliminating and evaluating. Doing our share of knowing how to live green is a start. Act now, before a disease comes over of this planet will be irreversible and incurable.

Loving a person, loving a dogma

Would it be better if we just loved everyone around us, from our children, partners, loved ones, neighbors, community and all around us? Rather than hating, discriminating, fighting, arguing and contradicting each other over ideologies, ideas and opinions which solve no wars, but rather make more of them.

So many people fight over thoughts, opinions and beliefs, thinking they are fighting for a cause. Funny. They would rather die over a belief that is purely theoretical.

Wouldn’t it be better to love a person right in front of us, who is real and concrete, than an idea or a dogma, which is something unproven and unfounded, and yet, these ideas and beliefs seem more real and more ideal, that people kill in the name of these beliefs.

It’s an odd feeling. People killing and hating over an idea rather than loving those who are just next to them and in front of their faces.

It starts with a smile and hello

I had just gotten off the metro in the airport in Paris, when I had realized I was at the wrong terminal. In my panic, I rushed to the information desk to ask for directions. When I got there, an elderly gentleman of African descent was manning the desk. I went up to him and said, "hi, can you tell me how I can get to Terminal 1?"

He looked at me and smiled, then said, "Bonjour".

Confused, I repeated my question with my hand gesturing towards the direction of the buses nearby, and said, "Is this the where I take the buses to Terminal 1?"

Again, he smiled pleasantly, and said, "Bonjour, Monsieur."

I looked into his eyes, they were as if they were smiling at me too. I then realized what he was trying to tell me. I smiled back, then, said, "Bonjour."

I could tell he was amused how my panic had subsided and his smile sort of reassured me, all was going to be OK.

"Those are the buses that go to Terminal 1. Have a safe journey," he assured me, pointing to the same buses I was pointing to earlier.

"Merci," I said, and waved goodbye. I looked back as I was heading to the buses, and he waved goodbye to me as well. I got on the bus, and felt great. Somehow, this guy cheered me up with a simple smile and hello.

Funny. I never realized that sometimes, with all the rush and stress we face each day, a simple smile and "hello", goes a long, long way.