Category Archives: Kindness

Kindness

Happy New year!

This is one of my favorite times of the year and yet, I know many have struggled.  2020 brought COVID-19 and deepened social unrest.  Both affected economies all over the world, and the lives of each one of us.  Still, we witnessed the heroism of nurses and doctors who work in our hospitals and nursing homes, and random acts of kindness from many people around us.

Playing my violin has allowed me to find beauty, even in the darkest hours.  It makes my heart lighter, and in essence, is an act of self-care.  May you find something or someone who adds to your smile and touches your soul.  May you have happiness and be free from suffering.  And may the joy of the season and the new year touch and heal your heart.

Animals, Kindness, Leadership

10 ways to help and save wildlife

Mountain Lion in Grand Teton National Park
  1. Urge elected politicians and government agencies to support policies—such as ivory bans and other restrictions on wildlife trade—that protect animals.  Your voice matters!
  2. Visit a national wildlife refuge, park, or other open space and learn about the endangered species and other animals that live there. Stay informed and support policies that keep these areas wild and protect native species.
  3. The Endangered Species Act has proven to be an effective safety net for imperiled species—extinction has been prevented for more than 98 percent of the animals under its care. Urge your elected officials to preserve the important safeguards in the Act.
  4. One of the easiest and most effective ways to help wildlife is to preserve the environment in which the animals live.
  5. Participate in or hold your own local trash clean-up to help protect the habitats of endangered species and other wildlife.
  6. Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
  7. Save energy. Driving less, using energy efficient vehicles and appliances, and simply turning off the lights when you leave a room reduce energy use. Many power plants rely on coal and other fossil fuels that damage animal habitats when they are extracted and pollute the environment and contribute to climate change when they are burned.
  8. Plant native flowers, trees, and bushes in your backyard. This gives local wild animals food, shelter, and a place to raise families. Avoid chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
  9. If you see an animal at the park, on a nature trail, or near a water source, let them be and do not remove them from their environment. These animals survive best in their own habitat. Take a picture instead.
  10. Be An Educated Consumer and Think before you buy.  Learn more about consumer choices that are better for animals and the environment.
Kindness, Leadership, Nature

Inspiring Couple

Sebastiao Salgado and Lelia Deluiz

I thought it would be time for some good news, something inspiring and hopeful.  I recently read about a Brazilian man and his wife who planted over 4 million trees to replant 1,502 acres of forest!  It was so good to hear about someone doing beneficial for the planet, instead of destroying it.  It took Sebastiao Salgado, Lelia Deluiz, and more than 24 workers about twenty years to do so and the results have been amazing.  An area which was barren is now flourishing with 172 species of birds, 33 species of mammals, 293 species of plants, 15 reptile species and 15 reptile species.  And there are now 8 natural springs which had previously dried up, hydrating a drought prone area.  When humans work with Mother Nature, creation and rejuvenation spring eternal.

Animals, Kindness, Leadership

FOREST Fires

Noah Berger

As forest fires spread across the state of California I cringe because so many people in the United States do not understand climate change and do not seem to care about its consequences.  California is the bread basket of the country, we rely on it for our fruits and vegetables, wine, movies and so many other things.  What will we do without them?  More importantly, how will we help all of the people who are losing their homes and livelihoods?  How will we help all of the wild animals that are losing their homes?  I am deeply grieved and saddened by the current situation.  And I am tired of lairs, cheats, and those who abuse their offices because of their own greed and ignorance.  Climate change is real.  It is not going away.  We lose dozens of animal species every day.  And we are losing people too.

I urge you to plant trees, to go meatless, to use refillable water bottles, to donate money to a conservation organization.  I urge you to make a difference.  If we don’t change now there will be no future and nothing left to save.

Animals, Giraffes, Kindness, Leadership

They Need Us

More than ever, animals need us.  In honor of them, I share a beautiful photo here.  It was taken by Premal Patel in Namibia.  May all of us remember to help protect the natural world.  It is precious and worth conserving.  Please do your part and help make a positive difference.