Brummet's Conscious Blog

 -- Quote of the Day --  We can enjoy this journey by consciously slowing ourselves down to live in the moment in front of us. We find energy, joy, humor and grace in that moment. We need to let go of yesterdays and not be planning tomorrows but truly savor each present moment. ~ Anne Bryan Smollin -- Positive News --  Kudos to the Philippines where they have set aside every January, for the entire month, as Z ero Waste Month … where they will have activities in all schools, government and public sectors to raise awareness, educate and promote new projects or initiatives.   Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

-- Quote of the Day --  "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson -- Zero Waste --  Check out this interesting video (17.35 min) with world-renowned zero waste consultant Rick Anthony who discusses zero waste initiatives in California:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqY6cG0rTEM&feature=youtu.be In this video Rick raises points like: -        By putting organics back on the land we can reduce 1/3 of the water consumed to keep that land moist. -        Enough clothes are wasted in San Diego alone that could clothe the poor in Mexico. -        Banning reusables and recyclables from the landfill. -        Making recycling mandatory and implementing a pay-as-you-throw fee system. * Feel free to share our posts, o...

-- Quote of the Day --  "A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy."  ~ Edward P. Morgan -- Writing --  I've been quite passionate about writing since the bug bit me nearly 20 years ago now. Since then I have written (with the loving support of my talented husband and business partner, Dave Brummet) 6 published books and have 2 more manuscripts on the back burner.  For me, these are a way of leaving a positive legacy that continues to help many of my readers (according to their communications) not only see their lives differently and pursue their own writing dreams more effectively, but also to make a difference with small every day actions.  I'm thrilled and excited, humbled and energized by the concept that through m...

-- Quote of the Day --  "Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt,  and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen." ~ Leonardo da Vinci  -- Poetry --  Rhythm and Rhyme  For those of you curious about poetry - we have 2 books of poetry out... Rhythm and Rhyme ... and Towards Understanding . Towards Understanding     I'd like to share one of my original poems here with you today: Opportunities To Create Positive Change Our global society must decide today Whether we will live in a sustainable way. Will we be a locust species? Leaving health in little pieces? Or will we spread wings to be Stewards, like the bumblebee? We are a species, who in essence, Have survived by physical senses. Yet we can change our self, And change the world. Struggling for isolation; Living by definition. Yet there's unity in our diversity... You are I - and we are they...

-- Quote of the Day --  "One day at a time – this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering." ~ Ida Taylor -- Volunteering --    Volunteering, according to a university study done in the UK, has all kinds of positive results from lower depression and 22% reduction of early death.  There are estimated to be 1.3 million volunteers in Canada (1.5 million of those are here in BC) bringing an economic value of more than $50 billion dollars every ear. For more information about the benefits of volunteering and to network with others check out the resources below: http://volunteerbc.bc.ca http://volunteer.ca     Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and ...

-- Quote of the Day --    Fifth Group’s Steve Simon was speaking at a conference  about how implementing sustainability programs into businesses requires patience and determination, but the reward is great: “When you implement sustainability projects at your restaurant, understand from the outset that persistence is key... Start slowly and then build up your efforts to meet the goals you have set. At Fifth Group we started with waste diversion and instructed our staff on how to recycle, then source separate organics. Of course there were challenges, but we eventually were able to divert hundreds of thousands of pounds of former ‘waste’ from the landfill…in every location. It has cost us virtually nothing to implement and it’s the right thing to do.” -- Green Building --  I read recently about an interesting zero-energy house was created by The Shibaura Institute of Technology , winning them awards for ...

-- Quote of the Day --  "As we may miss the joy of life by dwelling on the past, so we miss the possibilities of the present if we expect life’s best days to be in the future. The good days are now." ~ Lionel Whiston  -- Living Life Today --  Today's quote has some importance in my life... After the suicide of my mom and step-dad, the loss of other family members and friends, witnessing illness and age-related emotional and physical woes... I realized that today is my golden moment, and to stop working and staking my hopes on some day in the future that may never come.  Taking time to live : to enjoy nature, to spend time with our fur-kids and playing in the garden, to leave a positive legacy every single day, to embrace the moment. One has to find a balance here of course because our lives, or our capacity to really live our lives, may not end tomorrow... we might reach retirement in good health, we might live a long time...