Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Blake Cothron

The Western world is now beginning to embrace the concept of “going green” and becoming more environmentally aware and responsible.  With 2009 upon us, we can do something new for the Earth and help reduce our own footprints on the Earth’s resources and ecosystems.  We can make this a New Green Year.

It can seem like there’s so much to catch up on.  Organic food, holistic medicine, natural fibers, hybrid vehicles; there’s so much to learn about it can seem like too much.  As with most major trends it’s easy to get swept up in the current of hype and lose touch with the essence of the movement (see footnote for more information).

What I will say first is a common theme in much of my advice - avoid the hype.  As businesses realize there’s money to be saved by “going green,” they also realize there’s as much or more money to be made by selling the green movement. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens

“You can’t grow when people can’t be themselves around you and express their opinions.  This is true whether you like what they have to say or not.” 

The scene is set a smoky, dimly lit gym.  This gym resides in a dilapidated neighborhood, downtrodden, and dangerous.  Crime and refuse is more prevalent than grass and blue-skies in our community … and our gym is its social center.  Inside people are gathering, sitting in their rusty folding chairs in great anticipation of another title boxing bout.  Title is the operative word because down here there isn’t any real glory in winning.  Just the satisfaction of knowing you put a licking on your opponent and they’ll think twice about facing you again, if at all. 

Our fighters are approaching, climbing the ragged wooden step stools into the sweat and blood stained canvas of the ring.  The ropes are tattered and worn.  They won’t hold the weight of your towel let alone your body if you are unfortunate enough to be pinned against them, but no one cares.  This fight will be toe-to-toe, no holds barred and right at center ring. 

I’m ready to win.  And you know what?  So is she.  This is just another argument in the Torrens’ residence.

Now to be truthful none of us should view our disagreements with one another in quite this fashion … Read More »

Article and Photograph by Make The Days Count Contributor Ann Wilkinson

I am not ashamed to admit I love hotels.  I love the luxurious feeling of being pampered by lying in a bed I don’t have to make, towels I can use once and leave to be washed by someone else, and the sheer laziness of being able to order room service and leave the cooking to others, too.  And, I’m not alone in this love of being taken care of.  Recently, I had a chat with a woman at a hotel in Connecticut who told me she had opted to stay in a hotel for a night rather than at a friend’s house simply because she loves experiencing hotels.

Imagine the perfect scenario in which you are greeted warmly at the reception desk with a smile and friendly hello, and someone helps you carry your bags to your room. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Stefanie Johnson

Creativity.

It makes every aspect of life richer, more fulfilling, and fun.  There are very few projects that can’t be improved without it.  Whether you’re required to be creative for your profession or you have a hobby you’re passionate about, creativity has to flow.  It can’t be forced.

Creativity tends to slow down and even stop up entirely when we’re stressed out or under pressure.  So, what can you do to get things flowing again? Read More »

Article by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits

Stress is a major problem for many people — a hectic, stressful job, a chaotic home life, bills to worry about, and bad habits such as unhealthy eating, drinking and smoking can lead to a mountain of stress.

If your life is full of stress, like mine once was, there are some simple things you can do to get your life to a more manageable level.

Now, your life will probably never be stress-free — I don’t think that’s even desirable, even if it is possible, because stress is something that challenges us and helps us grow.  At a reasonable level.  But when stress gets too high, it causes us to be unhappy and unhealthy.

It wasn’t that long ago when I was working long hours in a very stressful job, with little time for my family, smoking and eating fatty foods and not exercising.  I had a lot of debt and too many bills.  I was unhappy and stressed out all the time.  I was losing hair … OK, actually that was because of genetics, but still.  I was pretty stressed.

So I made some drastic changes.  I quit my job.  I simplified my life.  I quit smoking and started exercising and eating healthier.  I began to eliminate my debt.  And I learned some habits that, when applied on a daily basis, can really transform the way you live, in a positive way.

How did I do all of this?  One thing at a time.  I didn’t do a major rehaul of my life.  I changed one habit a month, and gradually over the course of a year or two changed a lot of things in my life.  I won’t guarantee that all of these will work for you.  They worked for me, but each person is different. Pick and choose the ones that will work best for you, and give them a try. One at a time. Read More »