Mundane Matters

The Goal: Post 1,000 small mundane things that we can do to make the world a better place
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7. Use a broom.

 

I have blogged about this before, but now I think I really underestimated my calculations. Every day I see more and more people using the hose to clean their sidewalk. Maybe I am paying more attention than I used to. But the point is, we can't keep dumping water, one of our most precious and scarce resources, into the side walk. It’s socially irresponsible. I know it’s easier. I know some of you are just probably following orders. But if we focus on the solution, we can find better ways to do this. What we need is a clean sidewalk, right? What about using a broom and a bucket of water? You will be amazed how that does a better job even than just the hose. Try it and help the world save water. Click this link to my previous post if you are curious about how much water we dump watering sidewalks – just in Manhattan. Hint: a lot.

Filed under  //  Eco-friendly   Green   Responsibility   Scarce Resources   Socially Responsible   Water  
Comments (0)
Posted 2 months ago by Patricio Ramal 

6. Don't litter. Ever!

Obvious but overlooked and underperformed. I was boarding the subway the other day and as I sat down I noticed a brown paper bag and an empty plastic bottle of Sunny Delight sitting on the seat beside me. I was going to pick it up when someone walked over to take the seat and tossed everything on the floor. The brown paper  bag ended underneath the seats while the bottle rolled all over the train. When my stop arrived, I got off the train and looked around for a trash can. I found one. I actually looked for trash cans the entire weekend and I can tell you that you can find a trash can in all subway stops or as soon as you exit the subway. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to hold on to YOUR trash for a little while until you get to your stop. If you don’t want to hold it, stick it in your bag, purse, portfolio or whatever it is that you are carrying. Don’t toss it on the floor. If nobody litters the subway then it wouldn’t need much of a cleaning crew. Maybe those savings can go into improving the service? The subway is one example. Imagine all the places where we could save on cleaning if nobody would litter.

Filed under  //  Civic Duty   Don't litter   Good Citizen   Responsibility  
Comment (1)
Posted 2 months ago by Patricio Ramal 

5. Use the "Lost & Found"

Have you ever lost something that might of seemed trivial to most people but to you it was a terrible loss? It could be anything; a scarf, a glove, an earring. After searching madly where you thought you lost it, you probably went to the lost & found, right? Do you remember the joy when you recovered it?

Do you see the point? It only takes a few minutes to return any item to the lost & found. It doesn’t matter what it is. To you it’s just a thing that was laying on the floor; to the person who lost it might be the only thing left from a loved one. Remember, for all of the times you have found something at the lost & found, somebody took the time to take it there. Return the favor.

Filed under  //  Caring for others   Honesty. Lost & Found  
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Posted 2 months ago by Patricio Ramal 

4. Stay on the right

If you use the subway, you are going up and down the stairs often. If you travel like most people, during busy hours, the stairs can get a little chaotic. If you want to avoid this, always stay to your right. When you are going up some people are going down and vice versa. If you move to the left, going up or down, you will be in the way of others  going in the opposite direction. I know lines can get big when travelling during rush hours and you might feel compelled to skip people by going to the left. Well, don’t. We all paid for the service and we deserve that everyone using it follows the rules for the benefit of all us. So be patience, and stay on the right.

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Posted 3 months ago by Patricio Ramal 

3. Turn off the lights

A pretty simple thing to do, but there is a catch. We usually do this at home because we are paying for the electricity bill. However, many of us tend to forget when we are not home. For example, in the office. You leave your office for the day and you leave the lights on to your cubicle, desk or office. You might think you are not paying for it, and you are right. All of us are paying for it. It might not cost you directly out of your pocket, but it definitely it costs us as a planet. Think about it the next time you leave the conference room lights on when the meeting is over. Lights out.

Filed under  //  energy reduction   Green   lights out   Responsibility   Save energy   save the planet  
Comments (0)
Posted 3 months ago by Patricio Ramal 

2. Clean after your dog. Always!

It doesn’t matter whether you have a dog or not, your dog’s poop on the sidewalk is one of the big reasons a lot of people hate dogs or even dog owners, especially if you live in a city like New York. So, if you own a dog and you take him out to the bathroom, clean up after him. Always. No matter what. You forgot the bag? Any piece of paper from a nearby trash can will do. Really. It doesn’t take much, but it makes a difference. I know what you are thinking, “one little poop that I leave one time won’t hurt anyone”. Imagine if all of us thought that way? It’s not just you, you are affecting the reputation of all of us dog owners when you fail to clean after your dog.

Filed under  //  Clean   Dog   Poop   Walking the dog  
Comments (0)
Posted 3 months ago by Patricio Ramal 

1. Smile

I know. It's a cliché. That's fine. Just because it's a cliché doesn't mean it's not true, so I am going to get it out of the way once and for all. One of the simplest things you can do to feel better and to make this world a better place is to smile. Until recently, there was no scientific evidence about the benefits of smiling but technology is catching up and we now have a glimpse of all the benefits of smiling. Don't take my word for it. Check out this link. http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm Say cheese !!!

 

Filed under  //  Benefits   Cliche   Happier   Health   Smile  
Comments (0)
Posted 3 months ago by Patricio Ramal