Slam-dunk of a Compliment

I was at a basketball game with a friend, and he said to me "I've been meaning to give you a compliment."

I was excited. Typically compliments don't come with an intro, preparing you for the actual compliment -- typically one is just complimented.

He said "I was feeling guilty the other day for using paper plates instead of washable ones, and I couldn't figure out why. But then I realized, it was probably because I read my '5 Minutes of Caring' email every morning."

He continued toward resolution.

"I don't know if I'm going to stop using paper, but I do know I didn't like the feeling of being wasteful."

I indeed did take it as a compliment. Because what he was feeling I hope was not a sense of guilt, but rather a sense of responsibility. A sense of responsibility he was attributing to the work of CoolPeopleCare, and that made me feel good.

Because it's not the hope or expectation of Sam and I that people read an article and immediately change their ways to recycle more, be more polite or give more back to the community. Of course, that would be nice, but it is not realistic.

Our hope, driven by our philosophy of "a lot of a little," is that individuals begin to feel that responsibility for themselves and their actions, and begin to make better choices at the grocery store or in the HOV lane.

And our hope is that the beginning is just that -- a start. And through 5 minutes a day, the little begins to add up. And eventually all our little bits have grown into something very big.

Rewind: Week of 2/19 - 2/23

Monday, February 19: Talk to the President

The president works for us, right?

Tuesday, February 20: Crush It

Flex those muscles and save landfill space.

Wednesday, February 21: Just a Dollar

What can 100 pennies really do?

Thursday, February 22: Don't Speed

This is a hard one, but both your safety and the environment benefit.

Friday, February 23: Durable Goods

Just say no to cheap plastic crap.

Good Headline

A CPC friend Dixon Kinser was interviewed for a news story in The Tennessean and mentions the CoolPeopleCare. Dixon is encouraging his faith community members to sign up for our daily email and use it as a jumping off point for the day's lenten observance.

We couldn't be more thrilled with this creative application of our message. And for once, the headline writer at the daily paper nails a meaningful, accurate, and somewhat creative headline.

Take a read here and learn more about what Dixon's doing here.

Have a very happy Washington's Birthday -- celebrate responsibly (the cherry trees will thank you.)

Links of the Week: 2/20/2007

Tuesday, February 20: Green Dimes

GreenDimes is all about helping people do little things that will collectively make a big difference.

Tuesday, February 20: EDGE of Existence

The EDGE of Existence programme aims to conserve the world's most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species by implementing the research and conservation actions needed to secure their future.

Tuesday, February 20: ThriftSmart

ThriftSmart exists to provide value to customers, opportunity for employees, and benefit to charities by operating the best thrift stores in the world and promoting thrifty living.

Rewind: Week of 2/12-2/16

Monday, February 12: Reuse the Sleeve

Double the life of that cardboard insulator and help save the earth.

Tuesday, February 13: Eat It All

Clear your plate, for earth's sake.

Wednesday, February 14: Just Say It

There no better day to say what you should be saying every day.

Thursday, February 15: The Mocha Club

Giving up two mochas has never meant so much.

Friday, February 16: How To Paint

Here's your primer on paint protocol.

Links of the Week: 2/13/2007

Tuesday, February 13: Lighter Footstep

Lighter Footstep is about sustainable living: learning to thrive in business and our personal lives by making wiser choices.

Wednesday, February 14: We Are What We Do

We’d like to inspire people to use their everyday actions to change the world. Whoever they are. And wherever they are. And that includes you.

Wednesday, February 14: Freegan

A Site Dedicated to Revealing Human Over-Consumption and Waste

NALC Needs Those Who Need Them

Our COOL friend Val writes:

I tutor once a week for an hour with the Nashville Adult Literacy Council (NALC) and they have suddenly a glut of tutors and a NEED of people who need tutoring. Their phone number is 615-298-8060 or you can get more info here.

Pass it on, people.

Rewind: Week of 2/5-2/9

Monday, February 5: All That Tax

The skinny on what's taxed where.

Tuesday, February 6: Cookbook for a Cause

Fight hunger with a free cookbook.

Wednesday, February 7: Keep Someone Warm

Add a few dollars to your bill to heat someone's house.

Thursday, February 8: Combine Trips

Save your errands for one trip and save some gas and some planet.

Friday, February 9: Travel Size

Those small bottles of shampoo can be used in more places than hotel rooms.