United States – Health4earth

Live with Wonder and Kindness

Albert Einstein described feelings of awe as “the source of all true art and science.” he said, “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better!”

An amazing live oak tree in Texas

I feel awe for our amazing, beautiful country, and have been on a wonderful winter road trip into the center of the United States. We traveled from Minnesota to Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. We drove through a landscape of snow and wind generators in Iowa, and the flat farming prairies of Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, and then through the hill country of Texas into the flat flood plain of the Gulf of Mexico. Next, heading north into the swampland of Louisianna and Arkansas, the hills of Tennesse and Kentucky into the farmlands of Illinois, and finally back into hilly Wisconsin and lake-covered Minnesota. The landscapes and terrain change, but so do the people, plants, trees, birds and the weather.

Knees of the bald cypress tree

I am intrigued by the live oaks of Texas and the cypress trees of Louisianna and Arkansas, and also by the incredible diversity of trees in Tennessee. We love the unique birds of the Gulf of Mexico, but also love seeing our Minnesota birds in a different habitat.

As I travel, I cherish meeting people from all over the world, but especially enjoy how pleasant and friendly people are in the Southern part of the United States. Many go out of their way to greet you on the street, “How’re ya doin?” or “Hi honey!” Something I don’t experience in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin or Iowa. In the North we all can be kinder/friendlier and smile more!

Bald Cypress trees create awe

How can we experience wonder every day?

How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Need a 2023 New Year’s Resolution? Try Nurturing “Everyday Awe.” | Sierra Club

7 Ways to Find Awe in Everyday Life – Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays

Drop the devices and gaze at the clouds or stars.

Visit a local, state or national park.

Take an Awe Walk in your neighborhood, noticing things as if for the first time.

Describe to a friend or write about a time you once felt awe.

Visit a museum or planetarium.

Get up early to watch the sunrise.

Play amazing music. (Beethoven’s Fifth comes up often. Psychologist Michelle Shiota suggests Alison Krauss’ “Down to the River to Pray” and Carlos Santana’s live “Europa.”)

January Hope

“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”
― Abraham Lincoln

“Our democracy isn’t about any individual, even a president—it’s about you” Barack Obama

Special days in January: It is a historic month for the United States, giving us all hope! Let’s start by telling the truth, being kind, and working for justice.

January 5, Senate elections in Georgia

January 6, Congress meets to certify votes for the new U. S. president

January 7, 1789, The first U.S. election for president was held

January 8, Clean off your desk day!

January 14, Bald Eagle Day

January 15, Martin Luther King’s Birthday

January 18, MLK Holiday

January 20, Inauguration Day, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in as president and vice president of the United States.

From the Actions for Happiness group ideas for January 2021:

How can we be happier in 2021? Things have been really tough over the last year and we’re still in difficult and uncertain times. This January, we’re encouraging everyone to focus on small daily actions to create more happiness for ourselves and others. We can’t change the situation, but we can choose to show kindness and respond positively whenever possible.

Get into the Recycle Mindset!

An interesting video comparing recycling in the United States and Germany. What do you think??

I see soda cans and plastic bottles in the trash. What are we thinking?

Bottling companies should do more, like this!

What an Enormous Waste!

How many people have to die before responsible gun owners are convinced that our right to life outweighs their right to own a gun?

This is Day 4 of #31daysoflesswaste
I never thought I would post the following for my 31 day series.
Is there a more enormous waste than children, college students or anyone being killed in the prime of their lives? The United States has lost all good sense when it comes to violence. We aren’t safe in our schools, churches, holiday parties, public buildings or on the street.
It seems hopeless, but there are things you can you do???
1. Lock up: If you have gun in your home make sure it is locked up.
2. Don’t reinforce violence by watching violent TV shows, movies or video games.
3. Vote! Vote only for candidates that support background checks on all gun sales, support an assault weapon ban, and support purchase of only one gun a month.

4. Speak out: Contact your elected officials and tell them how you feel. Write letters to the editor.

What American Cities are the Most Vulnerable to Climate Change?

Climate Change is expensive for us all, and big changes lie ahead!

A few weeks ago while riding the bus in Chicago I struck up a conversation with my seatmate. She worked for AIG Insurance of New York City, and related how concerned the insurance industry is with the expense of climate change. AIG Insurance had just paid out 2 billion dollars for Super Storm Sandy, and they were nervous how they were going to manage these mega storms in the future. Some insurance companies in Florida are pulling out of the state because it is becoming too expensive to insure some homes. Read the link below and you will see why!

This week the Huffington Post named the 14 American cities that could be underwater in this century because of rising sea levels due to our warming climate, warming of the oceans, and the melting of Arctic ice. What fourteen U.S. cities are the most vulnerable?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/global-warming-flooding_n_3799019.html

Can we do something? Yes we can!! We can put a tax on carbon emissions, we can each drive less, use less electricity, and support renewable energy initiatives. Contact your members of Congress and ask them to put a tax on those that our polluting our air with carbon emissions. The sooner we act the better!

Find contacts for the U.S. Congress: