Coronavirus and Climate Change: The intersection of action and mitigation

I am unable to stop noticing how similarly the efforts to stem the most serious impacts of climate change mirror efforts being made to stem the most serious impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

With regard to climate change we have been saying (for a very, very long) time, that we must act. We encourage individuals to do their part: refuse single use plastics by carrying their own reusable bags and bamboo utensils and straws everywhere they go, reduce consumption, reuse, repurpose, and recycle ♻️ recycle ♻️ recycle ♻️. We implore governments, businesses and corporations to believe the science and take bold actions to reduce their carbon footprints; to follow the recommendations of the scientists and environmentalists. We know that every individual action can and does make a positive difference in our collective efforts to save the planet from the most horrible impacts of climate change. We know from history that individual actions when taken together push governments, businesses and corporations to take actions they otherwise wouldn’t take. We are now in a climate crisis or climate emergency because action has been slow to achieve to tip the scales that move those bigger GHG emitters. Time is of the essence. Every minute and every climate action matters.

With regard to the novel coronavirus, we are hearing that we must act. We as individuals must follow science-based recommendations regarding washing our hands: with soap and warm water for twenty seconds or as long as it takes you to sing Happy Birthday to yourself. We must also not touch our faces (so shocked at how often I touch my face!). And, also important, to not go out if you are sick; and self-quarantine if you’ve been exposed to the virus. We are hearing that businesses, governments and corporations must do more: provide more testing and make ready the healthcare sector for the impact this virus will have, cancel large gatherings, conferences, and travel. We are hearing that individual action can stem the spread of this new virus, and will likely ensure that we can mitigate the worst case scenario. We must follow the guidelines being set forth by experts- scientists and physicians. All of our collective actions must be brought to bear against this health crisis to prevent the worst outcomes from befalling us. We know from history that our safety and health depend on people doing their part and governments and businesses doing their parts. Just like with regard to climate change. We must join together and do our best to save our people, animals and planet.

And the question that remains for both climate change and coronavirus is: Will we?

Will we listen to the experts, follow the science and undertake as many climate actions as we possibly can while pushing governments and businesses to make big changes too? Will we do as much as we can, including social distancing-avoiding big groups of people or gatherings and staying home when we are sick or exposed to sickness to stem the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus?

We will see.

Catching Some Summer Fun

 

I think summer went from fast paced action to almost a full stop in the span of three days. The weather is acting like fall is near (or already here), people have started talking about back-to-school shopping, and my work schedule is sputtering and fizzling, as all the summer swim leagues have wrapped up their short, but hectic seasons. August is hours away, and I feel like I am just now getting to quickly plan and do all the things I enjoy doing in the summer before it's too late.

 

One of my big summer things is seeing “My Summer People” AKA people I met through summer swim team, who I usually/mostly only see in the summer. Last weekend, we got together with some of the swim team friends, who we used to spend hours and hours with every summer while our kids were growing up, and had a blast. I made my tambourine playing debut with a live band in front of people (other than my kids and husband). It was so fun, and no, I was not offered any contracts for my future tambourine playing.

 

Lois, Eileen and Me with Freezer Burn

 

I have a couple other folks I want to see that I need to call right away, before summer is really over. I also would like to have at least one more crab feast. We will probably cover this summer favorite when my brother comes to town. And, I wouldn't mind a few more days of sitting by the pool and reading a good book. I would also enjoy one more trip to Ocean City, but I'm not sure when we can fit that in the schedule. Hope all of you are making the most of the last few weeks of summer vacation. The clock is ticking.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Happiness to All!

My Mother's Day Plants from My Mom (One of Two Planters)

 

What better way to start off Mother's Day than with a great yoga class. It was a very good idea for me. Today we began with the chant:

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Which means: “May all things everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”

After that we set out intentions for the class and got to work. It was challenging, as usual. Julia set us off to do some difficult pose, and I asked her to spot me so I could try a back bend from standing (and walking my hands down the wall à la Spider-Man). She said, “Sure!” So, I started back but had to stop to wipe the sweat from my hands (I said it was a challenging class!). But, I started again and did it!! I held it and tried to breath and relax, but it was very difficult given how fatigued I already was. I am so proud I'd myself and can't wait to do it again.

After my record setting yoga class, I came home to enjoy a delicious brunch with my mom and dad that John made for us moms. Alex and my dad got to enjoy one of their favorites meals too. We just love our brunches. And we had a great time visiting. The weather was beautiful. It was a delightful day. Happiness to all!

 

Posted with Blogsy

A Few Things I Picked Up in Spain

Ensalada Mixta – typical Spanish salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post is a #MyGlobalLife Link up post.

I read the latest post by Cate (of SmallPlanetStudio.com) and once again I was transported back to my experiences of living or traveling abroad. She posed a question that acted as a nice prompt for me. Her question:

What have you incorporated into your life after living abroad?

I love this prompt. I had not thought about it too much lately, but I used to be very mindful that I was doing things I picked up from having lived in Spain. I spent my Junior year of college in Pamplona, Spain.  It was a fabulous experience.  I did indeed pick up some Spanish habits, if you will, which I brought home.  I was doing those Spain things because they not only became ingrained in me while I was there, but to remember the experience and probably as a way to hold on to it and make it last.

I think that the most significant changes to my pre-living abroad self were in my writing.

• I can’t write sevens any more without putting a cross through them the Spanish way.
• I abbreviate words using Spanish abbreviations.
• I write notes (personal and when I went back to school, and later work) in Spanish and English

However, one of the best habits I picked up was a the result of a big revelation: I had never felt so good physically and emotionally as I did when I was living in Spain. Why was this? I realized this improvement must be because of a dietary change I had made. Figuring out this riddle was the key to carrying on my feelings of physical and emotional well being when I returned home. While in Spain, I got into a habit a of eating an “ensalada mixta” every Friday night at a great pizzeria in Pamplona (that appears to no longer be there, according to a quick Google search). This salad consisted of lots of lettuce, tuna fish and hardboiled egg with an oil and vinegar dressing. It was so delicious! The restaurant (and maybe all Spanish restaurants) would put a ton of salt and olives on the salad if you didn’t request not to have it, which I did faithfully. I don’t care for olives or lots of salt in my salad. I discovered that the tuna fish I had on my salad (and probably the fact that I was eating a healthy salad,) and a healthier diet than I ate while in the U.S., lead to my feeling so good. I was able to increase the amounts of the Omega 3s in my diet by eating more tuna fish and salmon when I got home to the U.S. What a great thing to continue when I got home, no?

“Linked to the My Global Life Link-Up at SmallPlanetStudio.com”

 

How To Change the Negative Story You Tell Yourself About You

 

When I get into a down-in-the-dumps funk and feel like nothing is going my way and therefore I must be “less than” others, I have a friend who looks at me in complete shock and exclaims, “You are awesome! If you could only see yourself the way I (and others) see you! “If you could only see and hear what I see and hear from you!” I'm really lucky to have someone who says this to me. In fact, I am fortunate to have a bunch of people cheering me on through the rough patches: my husband, my Mom and my Dad, even my kids will quickly counter any negative self talk that may spill out of my “self.”

Self doubt happens. To everyone. At some time or another and in varying degrees. I see it pop up a little here and there when I am trying something new. I have been trying a lot of new things lately. And, I have been quite successful at noticing the fear and then doing the new stuff anyway.

But it wasn't always that way. Sometimes fear or doubt won and I didn't move forward. So, what have I done and what can I do to quiet the part of my mind that is frustrated, unsure, confused, or just plain ready to be pissed off at myself?

I can change the story I tell myself about me.

I can do yoga. It's nearly impossible to berate yourself and focus on your breathing at the same time.

I can find a mantra or thought that doesn't tell myself all the stuff that isn't working or is wrong, but find one that highlights the good and great parts.

I can do something nice for myself.

I can treat myself to 1 minute or 30 minutes of mindful quiet – to quiet my mind.

And, once quieted, I can change any potentially negative thoughts to positive ones.

Today I enjoyed 90 minutes of restorative yoga. Wow. Talk about a total mind and body reboot. It was awesome. And as I was resting in our final pose, Savasana, I thought of something I would like my kids to know and think about if they ever have moments of self doubt or need to change the story they are telling themselves:

Close your eyes. Let the story you tell yourself be: You are confident and competent.You are loved and loving. See yourself as you see the most cherished person in your life.

YOU are that awesome.

Namaste

 

Posted with Blogsy