Holly Windom

Well, this election like all election needs lots of prayer and everyone to vote. If you not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Let's read ahead all the items on the ballot. BE INFORMED of all the items and issues and results. What if the results were suddenly say if we did not vote to keep oceans and forests clean. You vote counts these people are not always right but what they do affects our future generation! Please register and VOTE!

This is an easy lesson. Most of us are environmentalists and should stop listen and learn from those who are professional with a speciality in sustainability items water, air & land. To support what needs the most help. Our natural resources will no longer be natural if we do not pay closer attention to them. Usually topics and documentaries and charity giving points us in the direction of importance in away we all take notice. What have you heard on a topic about constructive communication? My last topic was regrowing the Corel Reef how and why we need to support.

Let's address want vs need first. Yes, it is true I got caught up the freight containers workers being on strike. I want to be safe, so I purchased enough paper product to last me until the end of this year. I can supply a small community with toilet paper, paper towels, tissue & napkins! Did I need this? NO, but I wanted it. Have to have these items vs without them like I was in 2022! Now, practicing simplicity REALLY. Is someone spying on me! I'm so far away from this challenge. I do most things in a big way, I live in more space that I need. I drive and bigger car that I need. My house is full including the garage with everything I thought I needed. In my mind I move to a condo just for this reason. That move reduce my living space 2000 feet. Yet, the moving people ask me are you moving to a big place where are you going to put this stuff. Also, my dad passed in 2017 and I had everything from his house too. I will make the effort by the end of this challenge to clear out my garage. Only keep what I'm currently using. Is there anyone is this same boat?

Most of my life I washed everything in HOT water to (in my mind), kill the gems! Well, the washing powder or an additive well do that in cold water. Also, I found out cold water keeps your clothing like new. It is not hard on the colors or your jeans. Yes, I wash my jeans after each and every time I wear them. (Sadly), I heard some people wash them more like after the 3 wears. In any case, I tried to do the same by showing with cold water. I failed, I cut my shower time down a bit, but it is only with HOT water. These days money is liquid! for me no matter what I save on other things cost more! So, I have saved on my water bills and toilet papers go up. I saved on my heat bill and the price of blankets goes up. I pray I'm able to stay ahead of thing specially retirement. I get that some seniors can't pay bills and eat too. Michigan has an energy Heat fund called "Thaw". I volunteer at their events. Please give if you can to your favorite charities that support others in learning to conserve energy efficiently.

This challenge has a great start! Some many people are responding with great comments and experiences. I'm not much of a journaling type of person but I really enjoy the views of others. Life appears similar from a far view but close up and person each one of us have a different reaction to the same items. Let's do our best daily to encourage others and share our task and new life skills. Team Comerica Bank (Green Team) always inspires me to be aware of my duty to sustainability. Also, whatever cost it takes for our planet becoming healthier for the next generation makes it worth my time and money.

• A conversation with God, where you can praise, thank, or ask for something. Prayer can be a way to connect with a higher power and express your feelings.
  
  
• Meditation
• A practice that involves training your mind to be calm and aware. Meditation can help you reach a state of spiritual clarity and emotional stability.
• My focus in my time of reflection is on my next move. As so many of my friends and family passed (6) in the last 3 weeks it reminds me of the era we just came out of. No matter how I feel physically. At my age my life will be changing if my health and current positions allows me to retire in my time. Which may be within the next 6 years. Wow that sounds like a long time but as you get older years pass faster. Daily, I look forward to the big change of my life as a season senior citizen. Finding ways to share my knowledge, skills and beliefs with younger people. I do not want to let die with all that I know and experienced goes with me. My passion for volunteering and saving this planet needs to be placed in the heart and minds of others (mainly my grandkids). We are only required to do our part. Make an effort in your corner of the world to leave something positive ...beside money to your loves. Good Luck.