2018
February
G GREEN
kids & parents MAGAZINE
February
Contents
THE DEATH AND LIFE OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND AROUND THE WORLD, CORAL REEFS ARE IN TROUBLE. BUT SCIENTISTS ARE LEADING THE FIGHTBACK – AND IN SOME CASES, DIVERS CAN HELP. B Y
A S H L E Y
H A R R E L L
THIS MONTH
Things You Need
FRUIT Flower
Animal
World Events
The most common trait of all primitive peoples is a reverence for the lifegiving earth, and the Native American shared this elemental ethic: The land was alive to his loving touch, and he, its son, was brother to all creatures. ~Stewart L. Udall
(article by Ashley Harrell originally appearing in Fort Lauderdale Magazine)
THE DEATH AND LIFE OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND AROUND THE WORLD, CORAL REEFS ARE IN TROUBLE. BUT SCIENTISTS ARE LEADING THE FIGHTBACK – AND IN SOME CASES, DIVERS CAN HELP. B Y
A S H L E Y
H A R R E L L
THE DEATH OF THE CORAL
Twenty feet below the surface of Biscayne Bay, outfitted in scuba gear and equipped with a bunch of tools from Home Depot, I am attempting to hammer a nail into the rocky ocean floor. I’m one of around 50 divers doing this as part of Rescue a Reef, a University of Miami citizen scientist program that aims to rebuild this undersea ecosystem, one coral at a time. The plan is to hammer in the nail and then zip-tie it to a fragment of threatened staghorn coral, tightly securing the coral and ensuring it contacts the substrate. Because the coral grows fast, regenerating like a starfish, this finger-sized fragment will soon mushroom around the nail and zip-tie, and in a year it should be the size of a basketball. But first I have to get the nail in. I exhale, decreasing my buoyancy and descending on the reef, taking care not to disturb or crush any nearby corals, sea fans or other plant life. I clear a patch of rock with a wire toothbrush, scattering sediment and algae and mucking up the visibility. I hold out a nail and do a practice swing, but before I can strike, the current drags me up and away like some inept astronaut. I swim down, quickly line up my hammer and bash the nail, hoping it sinks into the rock. Instead it bends and is rendered useless. I grab another nail and hit that one cockeyed, sending it flying. I am learning that it is very difficult – though not impossible – to help coral reefs. This is unfortunate, considering how desperately they need it.
UNLESS YOU’VE BEEN LIVING under a brain coral, you’ve probably heard the news about the world’s most magnificent reefs being in decline. Recent studies and headlines have informed us that 93 percent of the Great Barrier Reef’s corals are suffering, primarily from coral bleaching. This happens when extreme temperatures or weather cause the corals to expel the algae living inside them. In the Coral Triangle – the world’s most diverse reefs that lie off Southeast Asia – reports found that 85 percent of the coral is threatened by overfishing, pollution and coastal development. Disease and rising ocean temperatures are devastating the reefs of the Caribbean, with experts predicting that in 20 years, they will be gone.
“WE THOUGHT WE HAD DECADES TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS, AND IT TURNS OUT WE
South Florida’s barrier reefs – the only ones in the continental United States – aren’t faring so well, either. In what experts are calling an unprecedented die-off, bleaching, disease and dredging projects have damaged untold stretches of reef from the Florida Keys up to Martin County. The latest threat that studies have detected is acidification, which occurs when the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide (a result of global warming) and becomes more acidic. This blocks corals from absorbing calcium carbonate, which is necessary to prevent their skeletons from dissolving. “We are now seeing emergency-level crisis events on these reefs every year,” says Rachel Silverstein, executive director and waterkeeper of the ocean advocacy nonprofit Miami Waterkeeper. “We thought we had decades to fix these problems, and it turns out we don’t.”
THE DEATH AND LIFE OF CORAL REEFS Losing the reefs would be devastating to South Florida, where tourism and fishing industries bring in about $7.6 billion annually and employ around 70,000 people, according to ta report by University of Miami marie bilolgists. The reefs also protect the shore from flooding and erosion. Desipite these concerns, a completed dredging project in PortMiami and a smillar project proposed for Port Everglades are contributing to the problem, scientists say. Its plan called for minimal damage, but the Army Corps of Engineers buried 81 percent of the coral near PortMiami in sediment, according to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Despite the disaster, the Corps has not changed its approach for its next dredging project in Port Everglades, Silverstein says. Miami Waterkeeper sued the Corps over the PortMiami damage, forcing it to pay $4000,000 to relocate a few hundred staghorn corals from the dredging site to a University of Miami nursery. I visited that nursery the first dive of the day with Rescue a Reef.
THE LIFE OF THE CORAL THE PROGNOSIS for South Florida’s reefs - while mostly dim - has a few bright spots. In the last year, large patches of staghorn coral have been discovered off Fort Lauderdale’s coast, offering hope that under specific conditions, the threatened species can thrive. Nova Southeastern University research scientist Brian Walker and his lab have just begun a study on the characteristics of those patches, which can be applied to restoration efforts. “No one understood why these dense patches were there, but they seemed to be doing well,” Walker says. “During our mapping, we found 35 new ones over an estimated area to up to 150,000 square meters, or about 37 acres. That’s an extensive area.” Over at the University of Miami, the chair of the department of marine biology and ecology Christ Langdon is researching what types of coral might flourish despite changing ocean conditions. He likens his research to “putting corals on treadmills,” varying the conditions of their
Langdon’s colleague at the University of Miami, scientist Diego Lirman, is working on the same problem from a different angle. He’s the head honcho for Rescue a Reef, the unique restoration program that gets citizens into the water for some hands-on restoration. It was the one-year anniversary event for that program that I dropped in on.
The day starts at 8 a.m. at Diver’s Paradise, a dive shop adjacent to the Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne, where about 50 citizen scientists gather to help transplant coral from the nursery to a struggling reef. “When you go on a dive, they say, don’t touch the corals because you can kill them,” says Lirman, who with a bit of sunscreen in one eyebrow looked the part of the absent-minded scientist. “That’s true. But this is a special trip where you’re going to touch the corals.” We board the double-decker dive vessel and set off into Biscayne Bay, zipping beneath Bear Cut Bridge and out toward the nursery as the skyscrapers of downtown Miami shrink behind us. As we arrive, it becomes clear that the day is perfect for coral restoration. The wind blows at only 10 miles an hour, and the visibility is so good we can see the trees, constructed of PVC pipes and monofilament, from the water’s emerald green surface. One by one, the divers take giant strides into the water, give the OK, and submerge. About 15 feet down, 10 trees are anchored to the ocean floor in this nursery, one of three that the researchers created and maintain. Each tree has fragments of staghorn coral, a threatened species with a crucial role in building reef systems, dangling from string like so many leaves. Our group leader, researcher Stephanie Schopmeyer, demonstrates how to use the wire brushes to clear the PVC pipes and monofilament of algae, crustaceans, and anything else that could inhibit the growth of the coral. It’s a fairly engrossing task, with a tendency to result in trees drifting toward divers, occasionally tangling them. “Don’t freak out,” Lirman advises about this. “Just push the tree away.”
CORAL BLEACHING: HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
HEALTHY CORAL
STRESSED CORAL
CORAL AND ALGAE DEPEND ON EACH OTHER TO SURVIVE.
IF STRESSED, ALGAE LEAVES THE CORAL.
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY.
PROTECTING MARINE LIFE.
FOR ALL
LIFE. The ocean is a world so dierent from our own, yet really the same. Life under the sea depends on life above it. As the health of our oceans struggles, sharks disappear, and coral reefs suer, Nova Southeastern University scientists are conducting research to turn the tide. We are educating the next generation of marine biologists, biologists, chemists, physicists, and mathematicians to make the world a better place.
cnso.nova.edu
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GO GREEN KIDS, INC. www.gogreenkp.com
THE DEATH AND LIFE OF CORAL REEFS As we clean, a few bewildered-looking blenny fish drift past, perhaps unaccustomed to seeing humans at work underwater. It’s much different than a usual dive, in that you have a task and there is a sense of urgency. If you don’t work quickly, you’ll have to surface and leave the job unfinished. Once the pipes are clean, Schopmeyer shows how to snip pieces of coral with crimps. Each of the divers collects five and places them in a net, which we bring to the next dive site. This is where the project gets even more challenging. Back at the scene of my clumsy hammering, I decide to take a break and look around. I can see numerous staghorn corals; some are wild but most have been planted through the program. What’s clear is that this is a place where staghorn can do well. I admire the purple sea fans swaying gently in the current, as well as the occasional clusters of star and brain corals.
Underwater gardening is much harder than regular gardening, I conclude. But I’m determined to do a better job, so I follow Schopmeyer around like a guppy as she hammers nail after nail. With each attempt, I grow more competent with the zip-ties. The secret is to pull them as tight as possible, and it’s OK if you crunch a few polyps. Finally getting the corals tightly secured builds my confidence, and I take back the hammer. I find a suitable area of rock, tap a nail into it, and tie one fragment of coral to the reef, all on my own. Back on land, I speak with some divers about their own experiences, and Leti Pallozzi, an aspiring divemaster, sums it up pretty well. “In the big picture, I’m not sure what kind of difference I made,” she says, “but I took my grain of sand and contributed something positive. If everyone got involved, we’d have a longer-term impact.”
UNDERWATER GARDENING IS MUCH HARDER THAN REGULAR GARDENING, I CONCLUDE. Damselfish, surgeonfish and wrasses abound, as do the formidable fire worms, which eat the coral and sting people. Best to avoid these. Sensing that I need help, Schopmeyer comes to the rescue and assists with the nails, leaving the zip-tying to me. Sadly, my first attempts with the zip-ties are also fails. The coral keeps floating up as I attempt to secure it, and even when I do, it seems loose. I try to pull the zip-ties tighter, but lose control of my buoyancy in the process, drifting away
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Coral restoration projects like Rescue a Reef happen up and down South Florida’s coast. In June, one such occasion called Coralpalooza took place right off Pompano Beach. Visit the website of the Coral Restoration Foundation, coralrestoration.org, to find out what events are coming up near you.
Women in agriculture are challenging stereotypes Brenda Wolgamott (left) and her daughter, Marin, enjoy time together on their ranch in Lockwood, California.
- About a third of the nation’s farmers are women, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And most of these women are working family farms, since 99 percent of all American farms are familyowned and operated. Just under 1 million women farmers contribute $12.9 billion to the nation’s economy and are responsible for farming more than 301 million acres. More women are seeking careers in agriculture, and they’re breaking stereotypes about what their roles can be. Many women in the agriculture industry are farmers who grow crops and raise animals, while others are helping advance agriculture by fulfilling non-traditional roles: (BPT)
Seed sales representative Megan Moll grew up working on her family’s farm in central Michigan. Today, as a sales representative for Syngenta, she supports a network of independent seed advisers who sell the company’s corn hybrids and soybean varieties. She started with the company as an intern. “If you want to go after it, go after it,” Moll advises women who may be considering a career in agriculture. “Don’t let anything stop you.”
Grape growers and winemakers In 1999, Brenda Wolgamott and her husband, Duane, entered the wine-growing business; and in 2002, they created their own label — Marin’s Vineyard — named for their daughter, Marin Wolgamott. At age 14, Marin began delving into the science of winemaking, learning how to test grapes for sugar and pH levels in a lab, so she could provide the service to neighbors who would otherwise have to send their grapes to far-off labs for testing. Today, she is the winemaker for the vineyard. Marin’s experience and career path demonstrate “there are different avenues to get in,” she says. “Whether you want to do chemistry or love to get your hands dirty in the cellar, everyone’s job in the winery is always appreciated.”
TV host and photographer Born and raised in rural Iowa, Marj Guyler-Alaniz graduated from Grand View University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, photography and journalism, and immediately went to work in agriculture for a crop insurance company. Inspired to draw attention to the roles of women in agriculture, she founded FarmHer, an online social community for women farmers. She now hosts the award-winning television show “FarmHer on RFD-TV.” “I think showing women who are successfully farming or ranching plants a seed in the younger generation,” Guyler-Alaniz says. “Younger girls who are interested in getting into agriculture or carrying on a family tradition can see for themselves that they can do it.”
Agrobacterium researcher At a time when few women went to college, let alone pursued a higher degree in a scientific field, Mary-Dell Chilton, Ph.D., had the curiosity and drive to bring about major change. When one of her students turned in a paper suggesting bacteria that caused a common plant disease could actually transfer a portion of its DNA to the afflicted plant, Chilton thought his theory was wrong. In the spirit of the scientific method, she tested it and instead found her student’s theory to be true. Her research laid the groundwork for transforming how scientists conduct plant genetic research. Her work in plant biotechnology has significantly affected the global agriculture industry. “I give young people today the same advice I’ve given throughout my career,” Chilton says. “Pursue what you love and what fascinates you, and the rest will follow.” To learn more about women in agriculture and farm news, visit SyngentaThrive.com.
Hurt no living thing: Ladybug, nor butterfly, Nor moth with dusty wing. ~Christina Georgina Rossetti
FRUIT Prickly Cactus Pear
You Need To Know THIS MONTH
Did You Know... The fruit of prickly pears, commonly called cactus fruit, cactus fig, Indian fig, nopales or tuna in Spanish, is edible, although it must be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. The cactus pear can be diced like a pineapple and used as a topping on yogurt, cereal, or blended into a smoothie. Often tasting similar to watermelon, the fruit can be eaten raw and is delicious chilled. It is filled with little seeds, which account for its grainy texture. The seeds are edible, too, but some people prefer to remove them. In the Native American culture, it is customary to dry and grind the seeds for later use in flour.
Health Benefits Of Cactus Pear • • • • • • •
Reduces risk of age-related bone disorders like osteoporosis Helps to prevent dental issues Boosts immune system Helps in managing weight Aides in preventing cancer Gives relief from arthritis, gout and muscle strain Helps to prevent atherosclerosis and and coronary heart diseases
Flower Violet
You Need To Know THIS MONTH
Did You Know... Violets are the birth flower of February, and the lovely blooms symbolize loyalty, making them the perfect gift. These purple blossoms are a lot more than just pretty fragrant florals, though. Take a look at these seven fun facts about the beautiful and interesting flower: • Violets typically have heart-shaped leaves. Their surface is either smooth or covered with fine hairs, depending on the species. • Flower colors vary among the Violets, many of which are violet as their name suggests, and some are blue, yellow, white and cream. Some are bicolored, often blue and yellow. • Violet flowers symbolize delicate love, affection, modesty, faith, nobility, intuition and dignity. The meaning of the violet changes depending on the color of the flower and the person the flower is sent to. Blue violet flowers symbolizes love and faithfulness, white violets represent purity and chastity, and yellow violets symbolize high worth and goodness. • When newly opened, Violet flowers may be used to decorate cakes, salads or in stuffings for poultry or fish. Soufflés, cream, and similar desserts can be flavoured with essence of Violet flowers. The young leaves are edible raw or cooked as a somewhat bland leaf vegetable.
ANIMAL
You Need To Know
Starfish (also known as Sea Stars)
THIS MONTH
Did You Know... Starfish belongs to a large group of marine animals called echinoderms. They can be found in all oceans of the world. ... Starfish (also known as sea stars) are usually located in the shallow water. There are more than 2000 species of starfish and not single one can survive in the freshwater. The fossil record for starfish is ancient, dating back to the Ordovician around 450 million years ago, but it is rather poor, as starfish tend to disintegrate after death. Only the ossicles and spines of the animal are likely to be preserved, making remains hard to locate. With their appealing symmetrical shape, starfish have played a part in literature, legend, design and popular culture. They are sometimes collected as curios, used in design or as logos, and in some cultures, despite possible toxicity, they are eaten.
Surprising Facts About Starfish • • • • • • •
They have no brain and no blood. ... They can be really heavy. ... They can regenerate. They have a lot of birthdays! ... A Starfish in not a fish. ... They usually have five arms. ... Starfish have an eye spots on each arm...
You Need To Know
World Things Events
Promote World Spay/Neutered Day On the last Tuesday in February, tap in to World Spay Day’s power to raise awareness of—and support for—your organization’s spay/neuter programs.
World Day of Social Justice 20 February
2
THIS MONTH
What’s in Season: February Brussels Sprouts Broccoli Cauliflower Fennel
Grapefruit
Greens
Leeks Oranges Lemons
Potatoes
Tangelos
Tangerines
Winter Squash
Turnips
When to introduce tech to children If you're a parent with a smartphone or tablet, it didn’t take long before your little one first reached for your shiny device. If only their fingers weren't covered in slobber at the time, you may have been more willing to hand it over. The good news is that saliva is easy to wipe off! S’mores? Not so much. To your surprise — and theirs — learning how to swipe and tap objects to make them move on the screen came quickly and naturally. Oftentimes the challenge soon becomes how to keep their hands off the device. It's perfectly acceptable, even beneficial, for young children to have these interactions with technology ... but only with appropriate parental guidance. (BPT) -
How young is too young? Young children can strengthen their interactions with other family members, as well as improve their familiarity with sounds, words, language and the world around them, through the responsible use of technology. Most experts agree, however, that children under the age of 2 probably shouldn't trade their rattles in for tablets. There are enough real-world interactions to keep them busy, and whether they play with blocks or pull the cat's tail, these tangible experiences are important to their development. There will be plenty of time to show them Angry Birds when they're a bit older, so allow them to develop their senses by exploring, touching things and even getting into a little mischief. Once beyond the 24-month mark, you can begin introducing technology to your little tyke. Chances are he or she may already enjoy the privilege at preschool; many toddler day-care centers and preschools now incorporate technology, from computers to tablets, into their curriculum.
Kids’ access to digital media Whether at school or at home, most youngsters interact with screens before they turn 5. According to a survey conducted by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, more than eight in 10 children from age 2 to 10 use digital media every week. In fact, two-thirds have tablets or e-readers. While the interactions are practically inevitable, significant parental and caregiver involvement can help steer them in the right direction, ensuring kids are exposed to content providing the best opportunities for learning. Between laptop computers, desktop PCs, tablets, televisions and smartphones, there's probably a screen in nearly every room of your home. Although these screens can and often do serve as virtual babysitters, games, apps and other content should be carefully selected, and screen time should be limited to an hour or less a day for toddlers. Parental involvement By using technology with your children, you'll introduce them to the most beneficial content, while also bonding with them over an exciting, shared experience. Something as simple and fun as taking turns in a game or reading together on a tablet can also help ensure technology is being consumed in a responsible way that can educate and aid development. While education is key, it doesn't always have to be about learning your ABCs and 123s. Plenty of games and apps combine learning and entertainment experiences that are fun for kids. Checking the ESRB age and content rating information in console and online stores (like the Nintendo eShop, the PlayStation Store, the Xbox Store and Windows Store) is a great way to find appropriate games for kids of all ages. ESRB ratings are also assigned to mobile games and apps in the Google Play Store, complete with content descriptors and interactive elements when applicable. As your little ones mature from toddlers to tweens, their use of technology as well as the technology itself will certainly evolve. The breadth of content they enjoy will greatly expand, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in managing and monitoring their time with tech. Regardless of where our smartphones and tablets take us, parental involvement and engagement is key to ensuring kids enjoy a healthy, responsible relationship with technology
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Little Green NookJessica Alba’s Honest Company
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Corner
FRUIT You Need to Know this month
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Growing need for ag expertise: Not all highpaid careers are on the farm As the farming industry faces growing consolidation in the U.S., one might get the impression fewer jobs are now available in agriculture. (BPT) -
In fact, just the opposite is true. Today, one in three people worldwide — more than a billion employees — work in an ag-related industry. Industry growth and digital innovation combined with retirements are driving significant demand for college grads and other professionals, including those without experience in typical ag-related subjects, and many feature excellent salaries. The USDA and Purdue University predict 57,900 jobs requiring ag skills will become available each year between now and 2020 while only 35,000 grads in food, ag, renewable resources or environment studies will look to fill those jobs each year. Further, the average starting salary in the U.S. for those graduating with bachelor’s degrees in agriculture or natural resources was a healthy $54,364 as of winter 2017, a 12 percent increase from 2016. "People are starting to discover (agriculture) is a pretty good industry to be in,” Iowa State College Career Services Director Mike Gaul recently told CNBC. “They realize this sector isn't our traditional what-we-joke 'cows, plows and sows' industry anymore. It's incredibly diverse." The expectation is that grads with expertise in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and/or the environment will fill 61 percent of all ag-related openings, while employers must seek grads in other majors to fill the 39 percent gap. Notably, women already make up more than half of the higher-ed grads in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and environmental studies. High school grads considering degrees in agriculture might consider one of these highest-paying ag occupations:
1. C-suite executives: The CEOs, COOs and CFOs at ag startups or established corporations routinely earn $200,000-plus for overseeing company growth and profitability. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is generally needed in addition to a background in leadership and at least five years’ industry experience. 2. Ag lawyers: Because ag is so highly regulated, such professionals may handle issues related to water, land use, pesticides, seeds, the environment, labor/HR, immigration, commerce, intellectual property, mergers/acquisitions, etc. Salaries average out at $160,000. Required: a bachelor’s degree followed by a J.D. and completed state bar exam. 3. Ag sales managers: Those skilled in overseeing sales teams are earning an average $125,000-plus annually. Most hold bachelor’s degrees in agronomy, crop science, soil science, biology, agricultural business or a related field. 4. Ag scientists: Salaries average out at $120,000. A bachelor’s degree is usually sufficient, with indemand specialties including bioinformatics, animal genetics or the regulatory environment (managing and strategizing a product through the regulatory process). 5. Ag engineers: Among specialties in demand are environmental, ethanol and mechanical engineers, with average salaries running upwards of $80,000 for those holding bachelor’s degrees. Bottom line: The next generation of ag specialists will be crucial to helping solve the world’s most pressing issues. Agricultural company Syngenta is supporting that cause by bestowing multiple college scholarships to ag students each year, and of course hiring many grads in various majors. "This is an exciting time in agriculture because we have new tools to develop better seeds and crop protection products, as well as digital solutions to help farmers be more productive,” says Ian Jepson, head of trait research and developmental biology at Syngenta. “We encourage students to think about the wide range of challenging and rewarding careers in companies like ours to help develop and deliver what farmers need to feed the world."
Syngenta New Research Outlet Takes Unconventional Approach to Ag Challenges Syngenta establishes a unique research and development outlet to help generate data-driven ag solutions.
https://www.chsfl.org
Go Green Kids Worldwide, Inc. Created The Doodle by spending time doing recycled art projects with the children in the group home. Through the vision of volunteer Aaron Alvarez and director Charlene Alvarez of Go Green Kids Worldwide, Inc., Doodle was born that no child should enter a new foster home or adopted home with a plastic bag of their belongings. It was our aspiration that every child who passes through the doors of the center should always have a duffel canvas suitcase full of art created by their hands in permanent coloring of art, and with a unique Back-Pac Buddy to take along the way. With each bag attached is a buddy bear in a smaller version of a back-pac bag of its own made of textile materials donated by various material retail outlets. The buddy becomes a hand sewn buddy for the child's journey never to be left alone.
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Children's Home Society of Florida 401 NE 4th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954.763.6573 info@chsfl.org Available for single purchase through collaboration with The Aaron D. Hollis Kids Always 1st Movement of South Florida we are now able to offer a percentage of purchase to cycle back to the needs of the Children's Home Society of South Florida.
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Back-Pac Buddy Bag Doodle Me Back -Pac Buddy Bag’s were created for the artist that lives in every child's heart, with the awareness of cultivating our child’s ability and self-esteem through
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To Change the World, Change Yourself You can't change the world if you don't change yourself first.
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” by Tony Fahkry
— Leo Tolstoy
It was the American author and speaker John C. Maxwell who wrote: “Most people want to change the world to improve their lives, but the world they need to change first is the one inside themselves.” Everyone has an opinion on what is wrong with the world, yet few will do the work to improve their own lives. It is easy to draw attention to what is wrong in the world because on one level it is frustrating to observe these conditions and stand back while they take place. I often remind myself and others, the world has existed for 4.54 billion years and is much older and wiser than us. We have existed for a minor part in that timeline and conditions weren’t always ideal. In fact, history shows conditions were less than idyllic. So, a Utopian paradise needn’t exist for us to be happy. We can still thrive despite the unrest in the world because outside conditions aren’t as bad as you think they are. If you want to change reality, start with yourself first and attend to your own personal development. In doing so, problems give way to solutions and no longer affect you. Author Larry Weidel writes in Serial Winner: 5 Actions to Create Your Cycle of Success: “If we all live the richest life possible, it’s personally fulfilling, but it also changes the world.”
Raise Your Level Of Consciousness “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” — Mother Teresa Most people are frustrated or angry with circumstances beyond their control. They believe that, if they can control these situations, they will be happy. Sometimes it is not possible since there are too many things to control. It requires redesigning your life to suit you or playing God, neither of which is possible. It is simpler to attend to your own personal development. So when you feel frustrated, angry, or any other disempowering state, become curious and work on that part of you that is at war with reality. It is futile trying to change conditions out there because life is constantly changing. It is like trying to keep plates Undertaking personal spinning on a stick while more plates are added. You cannot keep up, and they will eventually come crashing development will not down. only help you but influence those It makes sense to work on yourself so that outside conditions no longer affect you as they once did. This is the around you. key to enlightenment: raising your level of consciousness so you transcend problems with a higher awareness. Albert Einstein recognized this principle when he said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Consider the following example, highlighting why you must attend to your own personal growth if you want to change the world. Imagine 100 people who constantly complain about the state of the world. One day they collectively decide they’ve had enough and undertake personal development to change their lives. Within months, they have stopped whining and are now open to embracing life instead of being mired in their problems. They act from a place of love, peace, and joy. You’ve heard it said, you are the sum of the five people you most associate with. Therefore, if 100 people can influence five others, we have 500 people who are now more self-aware than before. If that cycle continues, a tipping point will occur so that anger and fear no longer prevail. Now, I am not naïve and know this Utopian reality will not miraculously emerge overnight, if at all, within the coming decade. Yet, undertaking personal development will not only help you but influence those around you.
It’s an inside-out job.
I have seen evidence of this with my family and friends and those I’ve coached. You change the world not by pointing out what is wrong with it, but by upgrading your model of reality to coincide with what you wish to see in the world. It’s an inside-out job. “You don’t have to change the world. You just have to change what you pay attention to in the world. And that, it turns out, is hugely powerful,” affirms Vishen Lakhiani in The Code of the Extraordinary Mind: 10 Unconventional Laws to Redefine Your Life and Succeed On Your Own Terms.
Upgrade Your Model Of Reality “You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, Be aware of when you with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. are pointing the finger You are here to enrich the world.” ― Woodrow Wilson It was the late Dr. Wayne Dyer, a well-known self-help author outside of yourself. who said: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” He knew change must first take place from within and has a ripple effect on the lives of others. If that change is powerful enough, it will gather momentum to affect the whole of humanity. I admit it is difficult to focus on what is right in the world when we are governed by our internal state, which gets the better of us. The media adds to the negativity by reporting bad news to promote fear, and it becomes challenging to break the spell. I often succumb to these disempowering states at times, so it is remiss of me to offer the advice and claim not to feel this way. Yet, through my own personal development, I’ve come to appreciate that these are fleeting states, and I don’t remain stuck in this condition for long. Awareness has taught me that what I focus on builds momentum and becomes integrated into my reality. So the advice is clear and simple: be aware of when you are pointing the finger outside of yourself. Go within and attend to that part of you that is inclined to judge outside circumstances as bad. Heal yourself first by integrating your shadow self and be mindful of your thoughts leading you down a path of negativity. If you do this often, you will break the cycle of incessant thinking that dictates there is something wrong with the world. It is worth the effort to your personal growth. Eventually, problems that once consumed you will no longer affect you because you have upgraded your model of reality to coincide with a new awareness.
by Tony Fahkry Tony Fahkry is a self-empowerment author and expert speaker. Your journey towards greatness starts here: www.tonyfahkry.com
Green “A boldly original, profoundly wise, deeply moving book. It’s a rare gift to any reader, as well as to our planet.”
Nook Book Review
—T. A. Barron, bestselling author of the Merlin Saga
About the Author TODD MITCHELL is the author of a few other books for middle-grade and teen readers, including The Traitor King, The Secret to Lying, and Backwards. Currently, he teaches creative writing in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he lives with his wife, two wily daughters, and one very smart dog. You can visit him (and arrange to bring him out to your school) at ToddMitchellBooks.com and on Twitter at @TMitchellBooks.
Fashion with Purpose
https://www.agooaculture.com
AGOOA is a culture and a lifestyle with meaning that gives back to the world. It was born as the perfect channel to realize love for art, design and the environment. Its nature is pure creativity that turns an idea into wearable art. WE BELIEVE that is possible to be fashionable while in harmony with the planet. For this reason, each AGOOA design that we create for you uses the finest materials found in exotic places like the Rainforest, Andes Mountains and mines of Semi-Precious Gems from around the globe. Every AGOOA jewelry piece you buy carries with it the ability to help preserve the environment and save endangered species. Particularly important to us are African elephants, who are killed every day.
Nature's great masterpiece, an elephant; the only harmless great thing, just as a piece of jewelry, a timeless expression with gentleness and an unspoken legacy. ~j. Donne
Inspiration Shines
We Create
Smile
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