Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!!

Most of the things dearest and most important to me, Is what I learned from my parents, my love for nature and our earth around us!! Our beautiful mother earth has been generous to us, giving us resources, providing shelters and food. Therefore, she deserves our love and respect; but instead, we ignore her. Some of us may claim we are too busy going to school and/or work, and have no time for caring about the environment we live in. Hey, guess what? We are so wrong. If each of us do our own part, together we can make this planet a better place to live. And the great news is, we don't really need to spend any extra time/effort to keep her beautiful the way she is. How do you feel if someone comes to your house, make a mess and take off? Well...I don't think anyone would like that. OK then, now we know how our mother earth would feel if we are being irresponsible. Start treating her well by cleaning up after ourselves. In other word, stop littering and illegal dumping. And don't forget recycling. For those of you who change your own car motor oil, remember, after each motor oil change, pour all collected used oil into a clean, empty, sealable container and turn it into a used motor oil collecting center near you. Why? Because used motor oil may contain toxic substances such as lead, benzene, zinc, cadmium, and arsenic. Used oil is not removed from the sewage treated at wastewater treatment plants. In fact, some plants use processes that can create additional pollutants from the chemicals present in used oil. Did you know just one quart of oil is enough to create a two-ACRE sized oil slick on surface water? Oil is harmful to aquatic life. For example, oil kills organisms in the water that fish rely on as a food source. A gallon of used oil can ruin a million gallons of fresh water, a years supply for 50 people. Conserve and reduce the consumption of energy when/wherever possible; at home, at work, everywhere. Reduce water consumption and electric energy can conserve energy and also save money on your bills too. Keep the air cleaner; carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible. Did you know that if you drive your car 10,000 miles per year, it will release its own weight in carbon into the air, some 2,600 pounds, each year? The environmental toll due to our extensive use of cars includes smog, global warming and oil spills at sea, as well as high pollution levels in and around our homes. Recycle used papers, aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles etc; you know recycling all the copies of one edition of the Sunday New York Times could save 75,000 trees. Recycling conserves natural resources and landfill space, both of which are depleting rapidly. Almost half of household trash is recyclable. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to light up a 100-watt bulb for 3 and 1/2 hours. Recycling five plastic two-liter bottles produces enough fiberfill to make small ski jacket. Come together and do our own part. Be responsible to our mother earth. After all, we are the one who will profit at the end. Although I was born in 1963, Ive always felt that there is a hippie character inside me. The definition of the word "hippie" maybe difference from one person to another. Most people think to become hippies, a person must listen to certain music, dress in tie-dye clothing and often uses psychedelic drugs or marijuana. I personally have looked up serval dictionaries for the definition of "hippie"; this is what I found. Young person who rejects established morals, advocates nonviolence, and often uses psychedelic drugs or marijuana; also: long-haired unconventionally dressed young person. Well, I personally don't use any drugs. I love tie-dye clothing, but obviously don't wear it all the time; and I do not have long hair, or wear a headband anymore. So, what's hippie? I believe it is the way you think, which makes you a hippie. Not whether you smoke pot or not. A hippie is someone who believes in peace, love, compassion and freedom. A hippie is someone who appreciated simple life and cares for the environment. A hippie is a person who hates violence and wars. Hippies are people who just being who they are and accepting and embracing others for who they are. If you find all of these qualities within you, than, there is a really high chance of you being a hippie. Far out!!! My dad passed away on March 8, 99 He taught me the importance of taking care of our planet, and treating everyone with love and respect. My Dad was so special to me, Many great memories, too numerous to mention....=0) Life is too short to not enjoy and be thankful the things that are most important to us all, family, friends,our earth and its people are most important to me! We all need to pray for one another, and to love one another. We should always pray for the safety, peace, love and brotherhood for people all over the world. Too bad we can't have an independence day for the entire world. A day of freedom from ignorance, hatred, war, illusions, power and control. A day where we can all love each other as human beings and toss away the weapons of war, and cast out our fears and hatreds from our hearts into the graves. We must mourn the graves of the innocents all over the world, and give the children of the world the hope of a peaceful, loving and beautiful world. A world full of love and without hatred or fear. A world where we can join hands together and accept one another, regardless of our skin color, race, religion or nationality. If we don't unite as a human race, then we have condemned the future generation of children a dark and very grim future. Our survival as a human race depends on our unity. Without unity, there will be no human race in the future. We will be as extinct as the dinosaurs..... Think of love, compassion and peace always... Merciful God, You made all of the people of the world in Your own image and placed before us the pathway of salvation through different Preachers who claimed to have been Your Saints and Prophets. But, the contradictions in their teachings and interpretations of them have resulted in creating divisions, hatreds and bloodshed in the world community. Millions of innocent men, women and children have so far been brutally killed by the militants of several religions who have been committing horrifying crimes against humanity, and millions more would be butchered by them in the future, if You do not help us find ways to reunite peacefully. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the controversial teachings of arrogance, divisions and hatreds which have badly infected our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; reunite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish Your purposes on earth; that, in Your good time, all nations and races may jointly serve You in justice, peace and harmony. I love everyone I meet. How could I fail to? Within everyone is the spark of God. I am not concerned with racial, ethnic background or the color of one's skin; all people look to me like shining lights! Peace, Lve, GrAdItUde and Blessings, LiGhT&√E •♥ ♥••♥ ♥•♥ ♥• ♥•♥ ♥• sHeLlEy jO kOvAcIcH gRahaM Namaste May all your days be filled with Love, Laughter and Peace!!!!!