Photo via Pixabay by Clker-Free-Vector-Images Our earth has been alive for 4 billion years, but already it seems to be dying. Not only are plants and animals across the globe disappearing, but the earth itself approaches death. The ozone layer is getting ruined with human activities and pollution, and habitats all around the world are turning into modern cities and towns. Animals watch as their homes tear down in front of their eyes. Trees disappear, and carbon dioxide builds up in our world. All of this cannot be stood for. If we’d like a place for future generations to live, grow, and thrive, then we all need to do our part. We all need to take action, even us children! We can make a difference together! So what can you do to help save the earth? There are obviously the normal things: brushing your teeth without the water running, showering for less time, etc., but there are many creative ways to produce change as well. I’ll let you come up with some cool ideas yourself, but for now, here are three tips that you can use throughout the week to help Mother Earth out. 1. Use cloth napkins, not paper ones. My friend only uses towels and cloth napkins. Not only does this save trees, but it limits the amount of material that needs to be produced. They are especially good for wiping up spills. When we use paper napkins, they are really thin and get wet fairly quickly. One cloth napkin, however, can wipe up a lot of water. 2. Next time you go to school/work and buy lunch, bring home the plastic utensils you use. Don’t waste time and money by throwing away plastic spoons, forks, and knives. They may seem flimsy, but can end up useful for simply tasks like scooping a bit of honey for a cake and buttering bread. You’ve already used the cutlery now, so keep it going! (This also goes for brown paper bags. Don’t throw them away after one use! They can last a lot longer!) 3. Save, don’t spend (excessively). You can save up to buy what you really want over time instead of splurging it on candy and the movies every weekend. You’ll feel more accomplished and proud by saving! Since it is the month of Earth Day, I’ve also included an Earth Day Challenge below. You can do it any day you want, of course, but especially have fun trying it out on Earth Day, which is April 22nd. Happy reading! Let’s work together to save the earth! Earth Day Challenge Turn off the water when brushing your teeth and flossing. Grow your own tree/flower/other plant. Take a 3-minute shower. Don’t use a lamp to study, instead find some natural lighting. Turn off the heater and wear a sweater or fleece blanket instead. Turn off at least 5 excess lights on in your house. Walk anywhere within 2 miles of your current location. Persuade 3 people to recycle their empty soda cans, paper scraps, etc. Donate old clothing and toys. Only use shopping bags made of recycled paper or cloth. Compost!!! Go tech-free for an hour! And going to sleep does not count :). Prepare a meal without electricity. Salad, anyone? Drive around in electric cars and other earth-friendly vehicles. Carpool with 2 others. Go biking for an hour instead of surfing the web. Or just take a walk! Extra Credit: Use rechargeable batteries in devices. Phones count, as long as you don’t use them excessively.
Young Bloggers
Luxi and Miola: Recitals and Matches
This graphic novel is the sequel to “Luxi and Miola: Play Troubles.” They both happen to have their events on a same day, and they both want Mom to come. I hope you enjoy it!!
Circus Olympus and Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
By Wholtone [Public domain], from Wikimedia CommonsThe wooden doors loomed in front of us as we struggled to put aside the thought of what was on the other side. Blackness seeped in and the door swung open, cueing the circus music to blast and multicolored lights to shine on. “Who is ready for some theater?!” was cried and we burst out through the aisle and onto the stage. My hands are shaking uncontrollably and my teeth are chattering. Deep breaths. There is no going back now. What is the worst that could happen? And then it begins. For almost my whole life, when someone asked me to act in front of someone, a surge of intense emotions would overtake me and I would cry so hard that I wasn’t able to breathe, speak, or act in a reasonable way. These feelings used to come up when I had to speak to someone I didn’t know too well, be in a video, or even introduce myself in a new class. It slowly lessened and grew more intense for bigger things, like being asked to act, play my cello or piano in front of someone I didn’t know, and so on. It barred me and bars me from doing many things, making me feel uncomfortable and ending up with me not being able to do things that I should. Multiple times, these emotions hit me especially hard. When I was eleven, my cello teacher tried to convince me to play in a recital during one of my lessons. I slowly began to start to feel more and more trapped and when she asked if I wanted to play for someone who just walked in the door for her next lesson all the stress that was building up burst out. I froze and started crying uncontrollably, unable to stop myself. I ended up not participating in the recital. The play whirls by, I slowly start to get more comfortable. The glare of the lights dim, my hands slow their shaking and my teeth stop chattering, my fear dissipates into giddy excitement. The moments tick by, each one nearing the goal of the end, but the seconds stop feeling like minutes and more like seconds. It is the last scene, then my last line, then the end. I did it. I had broken a barrier that had held me back for my whole life, or had carved a hole to step through. I proved to myself that I could, that I did, and that I didn’t let myself be held back by something that made me uncomfortable. Have you ever thought that there is no chance that you could do something? Has something ever held you back from doing something? Have you ever then made yourself do it, or succeeded in something that you thought you couldn’t? If so, then leave a comment below! I would love to hear your experiences.
