Take Action Tuesday-Participate!

I know that the economy is weighing on everyone's mind. It's not an easy time right now. BUT--there are ways that WE can make a difference. If you're like me, you have causes you care about and contribute to. The Komen Race for a Cure was in Indianapolis this last weekend and it was amazing to see all 42,000 participants! There are all sorts of reasons we decide to support a cause-personal experience, support for family member or friend, aligns with our values. I've been finding that a chance to participate means a lot more to me than it did previously. Cheap entertainment? Maybe...More likely I think it is a need to be a part of something positive.
So this week I challenge you to make a commitment to participate in an event that supports a cause you believe in. There's so many great ones, big and small. I'm walking this coming Sunday in the Mutt Strut that benefits the Humane Society of Indianapolis (off subject-you can donate to my fundraising effort click here). A friend of mine knows a woman that just in the last few weeks lost her infant dausghter and it makes March of Dimes March For Babies mean that much more. Happy Walking, or Running, or whatever you might do!

Take Action Tuesday

This week's TAT is another one concerning health. This is prompted by a personal experience. I found out over the weekend that a member of my family had a stroke while on vacation. She didn't know it was a stroke at the time and had never had one. Thanks to some fast-acting people around her she got to the hospital in a timely manner and got the medication so urgently needed. The trick is she didn't think it was very serious and didn't want the ambulance to be called. This is where you TAKE ACTION! The National Stroke Association has a plan to act F.A.S.T. This is an acronym to remember the warning signs.

Act F.A.S.T.
FACE	Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
ARMS	Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH	Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
TIME	If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.

Please review this information. You can also visit The National Stroke Association and the American Heart Association for additional information. You could save a life!

Take Action Tuesday (a little early)

This week's TAT is a no-brainer-VOTE, vote, vote, vote, vote! BUT there is a twist. I challenge you to find out information about the other races you'll be voting on-Governor, State House/Senate, Commissioners, etc. I don't like to be an uninformed voter. It took awhile but I found the local newspaper had a lot of good information about the candidates. I could even put in my zip code and get a list of the positions that I would encounter in the voting booth. If you live in Indiana, especially Indianapolis start here. It appears the candidates themselves have provided the information and answered questions. If you don't live in Indiana, I encourage you to research your local resources.
I'm so excited about the election tomorrow. I've always loved Election Night, I remember waking up numerous times in the night in 2000 to see if they had called the winner for President yet. I'm really excited that so many people are getting out and exercising there civil rights! Happy Voting!

Take Action Tuesday-Save a life

Do you know how to save a life? We see it on TV, hear the stories; but if someone was in trouble right in front of you, would you know what to do? I took a class in 5th grade that taught us CPR. I kind of remember but that was a long time ago and after seeing a segment on the TODAY show, it looks like the thinking behind it has changed a little in the 20 years since I took the class. Next question, do you know how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)? You've probably seen these hanging on the wall in an airport of government building. They can emit an electric charge to get the heart back into rhythm. Last question, did you know there is first aid and CPR procedures for pets? The American Red Cross offers a wide range of classes to teach you the proper techniques for handling and caring for injured or ill people and pets. Check out this link. If you don't feel confident in your ability to react in an emergency situation PLEASE review the information and even take a class. The American Red Cross page can lead you to your local chapter and their offerings. You could save a life!

Take Action Tuesday

A friend posted this program on her blog last week. As someone who cares about the environment and is trying to do my part in the 'green' movement I signed up. Everyday for thirty days a tip to have a more natural environment is e-mailed to me. Some days they apply to me and some they don't, but they're all great and if nothing else gets you in the mindset for things that you can do that will make a difference. Once you sign up there are other tips and resources available to you for viewing. Your challenge today is to sign up for "30 Days to Natural" or another program that will teach you about actions you can take to make a difference. Also check out the line of Greenworks products from Clorox next time you're in the market for cleaning products, you won't be disappointed. Leave a comment when you sign up!

Take Action Tuesday

http://www.forwardsteps.com.au/VisionBoard.htm

This week's cause is an important one - YOU! This is as much for me as for you because it is an important activity. Have you heard of a Vision Board? I did my first vision board 5 or 6 years ago for my career-on-the-side. I've heard about them since then and I think Oprah has talked about it before too (so you know it's good!). What you do is get a piece of poster board or big piece of paper and a big stack of magazines to cut pictures out of. Then you go through the magazines to find pictures of people, places, things, ideas, causes you'd like to have in your life. Cut them out and glue to the board and locate in a prominent location where it is easily seen. There are a bunch of websites that talk more in-depth about them. I've gotten my piece of paper and cut out LOTS of pictures. This week I'll get everything glued up and post a picture of it! I have VISION! Please share your vision? What do you want to have in your life that you don't have currently?

Take Action Tuesday (or Wednesday again...)

This week's TAT was going to be about winterizing your home to save energy and $$ but I saw a completely worthy cause this morning I had the share!
It is called Army of Women and a prominent cancer researcher, Dr. Susan Love, is spearheading a movement to enlist women of all ages, ethnicities and risks-whether you have breast cancer or not. Check out the Army of Women link to get more information. You can sign up to let them know of your interest. From there you will receive e-mails looking for specific segments of the population for specific research. It is all voluntary. I think all of us know someone either directly or indirectly that has been affected by Cancer. This sounds like an amazing opportunity to be involved with such an important cause! Check it out and be sure to leave a comment if you sign up!

Take Action Tuesday (or Wednesday as the case may be)

This week's TAT has to do with recycling. Did you know you can recycle crayons? Bicycles? Metal siding? I was surprised to find how many things are recyclable . It may require mailing in small items or doing some research in your community, but with the internet it is really easy to find! So check out the links below and recycle something you never have before!
Real Simple: How to Recycle Anything
Consumer Recycling Guide
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
Recycling Revolution

Take Action Tuesday

Thanks to a few good friends I started reading blogs a couple years ago to keep up with their lives and their kids. It has been something that I used to spend just a few minutes with every week or two. Over the last few months I have spent increasingly more time reading blogs and even writing my own now (thanks for reading!). The whole idea of blogging is somewhat strange because you tend to pour your heart out, at least those are the blogs that I enjoy reading the most. A few weeks ago I read on one of my favorites, Design Mom, about another blogger that has quite a following and had been in a small airplane accident. In the three weeks or so since the accident there has been a tremendous outpouring of love and support. So much so that the New York Times and even the Today Show ran stories about it. They have raised money for the care and recovery of Stephanie and Christian and brought to light a special bond that resides between relative strangers in the 'blogosphere' as it is called.
The fact of the matter is there are many such stories all over the blogging world, and each of them are special. Whether it is funny photos of the family pet or updates on a grave situation, everyone is telling their story. So for Take Action Tuesday this week I encourage you to get to know your blogging neighbors. You don't need to have a blog of your own to participate, so reach out and cyber-touch someone (and don't forget to leave comments, blog authors LOVE comments!). A great place to start is with any one of the blogs below-they have a TON of links to others, see where you end up!
fabulously green
I'm an Organizing Junkie
Just Beachy

http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/techchron/2007/03/05/blog_illo499x461.gif

*BONUS* Leave a comment about what you found! And, for every comment you leave on my blog in the month of September on any of my posts you will be entered in a drawing for a fabulous prize. Tune in near the end of the month to see the prize, but I promise it will be great and something everyone can use!

Take Action Tuesday

It feels like Monday but it is, in fact, Tuesday. As I mentioned in my last post I've been out of town for the last several days. This afternoon I plucked 4 days of mail out of my mailbox and found nothing that I wanted to open. So, this week's "Take Action Tuesday" involves mail. In this electronic age I treasure a hand-written note all the more and seem to write fewer and fewer of them. This week dig out your beautiful stationary or note cards, take out a loan and buy some stamps and grace 2 good friends or family members with a personal note.
Take Action! Go! And be sure to leave a comment if you participate, ESPECIALLY if you choose to take action in a different fashion. May be a good idea for a future Take Action Tuesday!

Take Action Tuesday

Some of the blogs I enjoy reading have a weekly series and I look forward to them. I came up with an idea for a weekly series called "Take Action Tuesday". Every week I'm going to post a link or a suggestion to get involved. This is just a suggestion for a cause that I care about. Feel free to participate or take action for a cause that is close to your heart.
This week's Take Action Tuesday concerns recycling or actually stopping it before it comes. The website is called Catalog Choice and will help you get off those mailing lists for the catalogs that you never even look at. The Catalog Choice community is presently 987,093 persons strong, having already opted out of 13,019,638 catalogs. Pretty impressive!
Take Action! Go! And be sure to leave a comment if you participate, ESPECIALLY if you choose to take action in a different fashion. May be a good idea for a future Take Action Tuesday!