A Note from the Diva

Interview with Tonya Kay

Joanna Steven: What attracted you to the script of Bold Native and made you decide to audition for the role of I Rock?

Tonya Kay: What attracted me to the script of Bold Native initially was the way it found it’s way into my hands. Taran Smith, a fellow vegan actor who played Mark in the hit TV series Home Improvement, initially sent the script to me for review. When an actor/activist like Taran sends you material, you pay attention! The second thing that attracted me to the script was it was actually good. I mean really good. I read a lot of independent film screenplays and it is surprisingly rare to find quality material. The Bold Native screenplay touched me so, I wept the first time I read it. After I booked the role of I Rock, I read the screenplay 7 more times as I worked through my role and even though I knew and knew well what was coming, it still had the power to bring me to tears. This is a touching, well-written story.

Finally, I related to the compassion, rebellion and blind drive that our heroes have for freedom. This film is about animal liberators wanted for terrorism by the FBI. The spirit of everything I fight for on a daily basis is encompassed in Bold Native. Freedom really is an essential spiritual motivation.

Joanna Steven: How was the atmosphere on set? Can you share with us an off-camera anecdote that brings a smile to your face every time you think about it?

Tonya Kay: As an actor in Bold Native, I felt the story’s freedom translate to my art as well. I originally read for both of the lead female roles and didn’t hear back for some oddly long time after my reading. Now, I audition 5 to 6 times every week, so as soon as I walk out of the casting office, I focus forward and never count the days until I “should hear back” on a certain role or until a role I auditioned for is shooting. It’s part of being a healthy actor. But Bold Native was different for me. I did wonder why I hadn’t heard back for so long from Open Road Films, the production company. I really wanted to be a part of this film!

Out of nowhere, probably 5 weeks after my audition, Denis Hennelly, the director, calls and asks if I will come back in and read for the role of I Rock. Of course, I said, “but isn’t I Rock written for a male?” Turns out the production team watched my audition over and over again and felt I represented the “unexpected”. It was Jeff Bollman, the cinematographer, whom suggested that they see me for I Rock, the zany, chaotic force of nature in the film – originally written for a male.

Denis Hennelly (director/writer), Casey Suchan (producer), Mary Pat Bentel (producer) and Jeff Bollman (cinematographer) of Open Road Films are that open minded. They cast me in a male role in Bold Native and between you and I, I never stopped thinking of I Rock as a man. When I referred to my character, even while playing the character, I referred to I Rock (myself) as a “him”. How completely freeing and appropriate!

Joanna Steven: The press release mentions that the entire cast is vegetarian. How did they react to the fact that even though you do not eat animals, you also do not eat cooked food?

Tonya Kay: The set of Bold Native was catered completely vegan, which is extremely rare in Hollywood. In fact, most of Open Road Films is vegan themselves and in casting, Open Road Films intentionally sought out talent that was “familiar with the animal rights movement”, believing that knowledge was favorable to effective portrayal of believable roles. In the end, Bold Native’s cast of 60 includes cameos by famous activists like Peter Young, who served two years in federal prison for releasing thousands of mink from fur farms; actor/activist Chris DeRose, founder of Last Chance for Animals; pioneering animal rights lawyers Shannon Keith and Odette Wilkins; famed first amendment lawyer Louis Sirkin; John Feldmann, lead singer of seminal pop-punk band Goldfinger; rapper MC Supernatural; and vegetarian television stars Dianna Agron (Glee) and Whitney Mixter (Showtime’s The Real L Word).

I was the only specifically RAW vegan on set, but I was in good hands. In Hollywood, raw is almost a mainstream word. If cast and crew haven’t already tried it, they’d like to. Just imagine the cast of Bold Native, now: vegans who really understood what raw was all about and also respected specialized diets – I had full on raw vegan meals hand delivered to me from a caring production from Cru and Leaf Cuisine raw restaurants – now that makes a girl feel like part of the family!

Joanna Steven: Can you tell your fans more about your future projects? Where can we expect to see you again?

Tonya Kay: Bold Native’s red carpet premiere is June 16th in Westwood, CA with an immediate follow up screening in Beverly Hills June 18th – get your tickets to these events NOW because they are really going fast. Bold Native also has currently scheduled screenings in Portland OR, Seattle WA and Washington DC. Check www.boldnative.com for continually updated screenings and tickets and vegans, as part of your activism, if you wish to see this film come to a town near you, contact Bold Native and make it happen!

I play a role in another film touring festivals currently, called The Things We Carry. And I am the voice of Green Girl in the animated raw superhero film series Rawman and Green Girl. This year alone, I have appeared on Glee, House MD and dancing with Rhianna on American Idol. Look for me in the Hallmark movie of the week, Wish List, airing sometime this summer.

Although you won’t get to see these projects for another year or so, I just shot a tv pilot with Gary Cole and played the lead in scifi/horror film OffWorld, shot a series regular role in the web series Silver Lake, shot a cameo in the horror film Creep Van and am currently filming a role in the film The Mudman. I write weekly for the environmental magazine EcoHearth online and am working on 3 books right now.

You can keep up with me at tonyakay.com, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1800223/ and kayosmarket.com.

Hey, Neighbor

The Truth About Diva Notes

People might think that I send out my diva notes as a way of uplifting others, but that’s not the whole truth. You see, for every ONE email I send out to the world, I get dozens back. In that respect, one might see this as a rather selfishly motivated venture.

Few things will raise a person’s sense of self-worth more
than the ability to help others.

TAll the fussing you’ve been doing to lose 10 pounds so that you’ll feel a bit “better”. Spend 15 minutes doing good deeds for elderly people in a retirement home and watch what happens. Teach a little kid to tie his shoe laces.

We put so much attention on food and diet and nutrition, but Life is about relationships, attitudes and the contributions we make to the world around us.

This morning I took a moment of tranquil reflection to finally write a “diva note”. In case you don’t receive them, you’ll get them when you sign up for the FREE 7-day raw food detox we offer. This is what I sent out this morning.

Lovebeam,

I’ve missed you.

I’ve been just swamped in preparations for WISH, but I’m here this morning with a doozie, so listen up, Si-star!

While interviewing Ali Brown for WISH, she shared with me a quote by Jim Rohn, which goes like this:

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Whoa.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

WhooooOOOoooaa!!

It took a few days for this one to sink in, but when it did, I started making some adjustments. I started getting a bit more choosy about the people with whom I share my time, my attention and my resources.

Have you been accepting certain conditions and situations because you feel you’re not “worthy” of something better, or “not there yet”? The speakers of WISH will remind you again and again to behave as if you already are where you want to be.

You don’t need to wait until you’ve got a hot pink convertible and your own official fan club to start acting like a superstar, my dear. It’s the other way around. You’ve got to think like a superstar, act like the superstar you ARE, then you’ll feel so good you’ll finally start doing the things you most want to do in the world.

That’s when you get the hot pink convertible.

Insist on quality ingredients in Life and love.

You are worthy.

Founding member of your Official Fan Club,

—————–

One of the cool things about inspiring and uplifting other people, is that you get a mega dose of inspiration and uplifting back. Immediately after sending out my message, I refresh, refresh, refresh my inbox to see if any responses have come in.

Check out some of the emails I received this morning;

“Tera,

I signed up for the 7 day raw detox months ago (I think back in November), but I never really did it.  Life became really bumpy for a while there with an unplanned pregnancy, a disappointing reaction from spouse and a subsequent miscarriage.  I have been “out of sorts” since then and have yet to really feel like I have regained control of my life, health and wellbeing.  I gained 20 pounds that I haven’t been able to shed and just haven’t felt the “spark” that I used to. I printed all of the 7 day detox materials when I originally signed up and have considered starting several times since then.

Finally TODAY, I am on my 24 hour fast!!  How great it was to come in to work this morning and see your email!  (Is it possible that you could have known I needed it?)   I am beginning to think that, in spite of the fact that I am just starting it now, signing up for the 7 day raw detox last year was one of the best things I have done in a long time.  All things happen for a reason, and I am realizing that, while November might not have been the right time for me, NOW is the time!  Because I have read through the materials so many times since November, I feel very prepared for the next 7 days.  I am looking at the detox week as the beginning of my “Kristin’s Got her Groove Back” phase of life.

Please know that you are making a difference in the lives of others, and you have made a difference in my life.  Your emails were there at times when it felt like no one else was.  You are like my secret little cheerleader – one that I have especially needed over the last couple of months.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  What else can I say?

With much gratitude,
Kristin”

Gushing gratitude from every pore, messages like these fill me up better than green smoothie ever could. Check out this one! It’s even from a MAN! OH YEAH! I loooove that we’ve got a male following in Divaland. You gotta be a cool cat to be comfortable hanging out with a bunch of “raw divas”:

“Dear Tera:
You absolutely magnificent ray of SUNSHINE. Just let me say I find in your emails and website a joyful sense of life and SPIRIT that I have to say I love what you are doing, you are most perfectly suited to it!!
Sincerely, Grant

And more and more and moooooore:

“Dear Diva, your emails are the sweetest, most inspiring and uplifting messages I receive.  Thank you so much for the beauty and joy that you bring and inspire in others.  xoxoxo”

————-

“Hello beautiful people

I have been receiving these notes for a while now and reading them with a smile.  However, this time I just had to send you a thank you for this wonderful note.

It is a lovely thing that you take the time to do and I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to make people feel better about themselves and their lives.

Thank you and Bless you all!

Alice xxx”

And this one… this one made my heart skip a beat:

You just don’t even know!!!…This note may have actually saved my life today! I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue. Thank you my sister!

In love & light,

C.

When you realize the impact your choices have on other people, you’re inspired to improve, persist, be the change you want to see in the world.

At the end of your days, it will not be what you did wrong or what you said to offend that takes up your attention. It will be regret for what you did NOT do or say to make things go right in your life.

Dive in and take your life head on, Sunshine.

That’s the only way to go.

Love, boundless support and gushing admiration,

Tera

It’s Time For Our Annual Attitude Adjustment

Gooooood morning, Sparkle Puff. (Okay, well, it was morning when I started this. But then the doorbell rang, and one of our kids needed help with her entrpreneurial plan and another had a fashion question and the drier finished and lunch needed to be prepared and…

…7 hours later I have finally managed to free myself enough to finish this blog post. I don’t know about the kids, but I can’t wait for school to start on Monday. )

I admit I was feeling just kinda ordinary this morning (a bit of indigestion after this week’s festivities) until I sat down to do my own reflections of 2009. I looked back through the calendar and went through, month by month, taking mental note of all that had happened. It didn’t take long, but WHAT A TRIP! If you haven’t done it yet, DO IT! At first all I noticed were the dramatic things–January was a bit rough. With the hope that it might inspire you to fit in the time to do your own reflections in detail before settling into the goal setting exercises we’ll be doing throughout the weeks to come, here are a few of my observations about the successes of 2009:

Personally:

I fell in love and worked through the bumpy parts of a new relationship where you look for every exit door you can find before deciding to make love work with a person.

I became a better mom and actually went through some A M A Z I N G marriage counseling with my ex-husband. After 6 years of having been divorced!!, we actually ironed out the wrinkles in our relationship and became amazing co-parents and good friends to each other! Then we put the kids on a much better schedule and just got them feeling and behaving SO confident and SO darn cool. Yes, we are still divorced.

I started getting a lot more sleep and had a whole hot yoga binge in March that I looooved. I swam, skated and cross-country skied. I strapped on my shoes and adventured over the big bridge near my house a few times. I did a juice fast and started green juicing for the first time after almost 7 years of being a raw foodist.

Professionally:

I created WISH: Women’s International Summit for Health and in preparation for it interviewed some of the most incredible people I have ever known. In 2010 I’ll be bringing it to life on March 8 (International Women’s Day) and I cannot begin to express how escited I am about it. I did the Raw Mom Summit with Shannon and we had such a powerful and positive impact on the Raw Food Community, that we decided to spread the circle of influence a bit wider.

I developed the 6 Week Deep Tissue Detox with Ritamarie and spent huge amounts of time revising, improving and finally launching it. 2010 will be the year I actually do it myself!

I became partners with Crudessence and was assigned as the “Director” of their workshops and community programming.

The other thing that stands out in 2009 are a few moments I took to make some smart decisions about how to manage my business–a moment of clarity and confidence. I was simply deciding NOT to do something, but knowing that I would put my energy in the right place felt fantastic. I got excited about  the fact that something as simple as a decision could get me feeling so enthusiastic and hopeful so quickly. It propelled me to pick up my e-pen and start writing to you. Not about productivity, performance or promises that were kept. I wanted to write to you about the power of decision making. When I look back the things that excited and inspired me the most about 2009, it was the DECISIONS that I made to take charge of my life or business in a positive way and improve things.

That’s why it is SO important that you take the time NOW to chart your course for the year ahead. NOW you are setting your goals and making objectives and DECISIONS about how you want your life to be this year.

Today (January 2nd) we’re supposed to be looking at Attitude. (I wanted to wait a bit before hitting the obvious food, fitness, etc. Many people are still on vacation and getting back into gear with things, too.)

How do you look at your life? When you consider the things that happen in a day, a week, a year, how do you view your role in it all?
Do you view yourself as the passive participant in the soap opera of life, or are you the clever creator of all that happens to you?
When you wake up in the morning, are you ready and rarin’ to take on the day, or dreading the never-ending to do list?

When you walk in the street and look out at other people, what kind of thoughts are you thinking?
What about when you look at yourself in the mirror? Are you critical and judgmental, or compassionate and kind? What about in your relationships and professional life? When things aren’t going well, do you point the finger, or ask yourself what more you can take responsibility for?
Do you hear yourself making a lot of excuses or apologies?
Do you validate the things that go right or feel focused on where things are troubled and difficult?

We talk a lot about food, diet and exercise. We talk a lot about enemas and superfoods and drinking enough water. We talk a lot about the things we have to get done in a day, but criticism is bad for your liver and anger makes your armpits stink! Grumpiness puts ugly wrinkles all over your forehead and face, too! There is nothing beautiful, attractive or remotely empowering about being a GRUMP or a complainer. So let’s make this the year of good vibrations, baby!! Out with the crust, lift up your bust and show the world how beautiful life is!!

Understand that crabby people don’t feel good about themselves or they wouldn’t be crabby in the first place. Rather than bitch and complain about what other people do wrong, do it right. Rather than tell other people they’ve pissed you off, tell them how much you appreciate something they did.

When you feel like everything is wrong, find the one thing that is right about it all, and things will all turn around. Life is as positive and as pleasurable as you are able to wrap your attitude around your experiences. I could talk about this one for hours, and in fact, if at least 10 people ask for it, I’ll give you a special spiritual butt-kicking teleseminar all about it.

At the end of your days, it won’t be the car, the house, or the clutter in your cupboards that fills your soul and lets you leave this world in peace. It will be the choices you made to love in the face of opposition, to persist in the face of adversity and to believe when everyone else has given up. It will be the moments you lived and loved at your very best that will stand out and lift your soul to a higher place, or (if you’re not a soul-subscrber) it will simply give you the satisfaction of having lived a meaningful, empowered life.

Reach out, stretch your heart wide open and make enough room to love one more person. Then make enough room to love them all and watch how doing so makes loving yourself a whole lot easier. You can do it, Sunshine. You can make this your best year EVER. I know you can and I’m rooting for you until my pom-poms fall apart!

Go, Girl, Go!

5 Steps to Get Back on the Healthy Food Band Wagon

(Doll’s weekly thoughts on goals, starting over and success!)

Monday is the most popular day to re-start programs.  This goes for exercise, diets and other self-improvement ideas.  We’ve all been there.  We start on Monday.  Then, by Friday, we wonder what happened to take us so far off track.

Here are some thoughts to help all of us enjoy our successes at the end of the Week.

• Begin at the finish line!

  I am very happy with the work I do with The Raw Divas.  My goal is to be a successful businesswoman. I need to set the stage.  Last week Nick helped me buy and put together this great office set up.  There is no reason to wait until I am successful.  The time is now!

• Plan for success

  In my planning for success I’ve placed only those things that are necessary for my work on and around my desk.  I decided that distractions where not helping me to get the work done. You all know what I mean.  Dishes and nick-knacks do not belong.

• Set an attainable goal

  I’d love to set a goal of writing 3 hours every day.  That’s just not possible for me. But, if I set a goal of 15 min, twice a day I can get the work done and feel like I’ve accomplished something.

• Reward yourself

  I work really well with tangible gifts.  Finish a project?  Try a spa treatment, new scarf or even a star on your calendar.  Make it fun!

• Think in the present tense

  No more do I say, “I will finish this on time” or “I will have this piece published someday”.  I make statements for today.  I am writing 15 minutes today.  My published article is informative and fun.  Be positive and specific.

These 5 points can be used in terms of your food planning, exercise schedule, or your over all health and happiness.  Living a Raw Food Lifestyle is planned for and something to be enjoyed.  See yourself as healthy, fit, glowing and filled with energy!

Make this Monday your special Do-Over day!  Create a commitment or goal that works for you.  Sweet Diva, you can take on the world.  One do-over at a time!

With love and warm hugs

Doll (from her new office)

Why Can’t You Just Start Already? How to Handle Your Fitness Excuses!

By Jenn Givler

You’ve felt the niggles. The urges. The nudges. You know it’s time to start. You know you should be doing something. But every time you think about starting, something comes up. Some other plan, some interruption, some unexpected obstacle.

I’m talking about exercising. In the midst of being a significant other, a mom, a daughter, a friend and a professional, it can be tough to think about fitting in one more thing, or to even just take the plunge.

The fact is, exercise is good for you and your body. Among the commonly stated health benefits (increased cardio vascular health, increased energy, lower risk of multiple diseases, etc…), exercise also has some amazing not-commonly-heard-about benefits.

For example, exercising helps your body eliminate toxins. It also increases the good feelings you have about yourself and your positive self-talk. Exercise is wonderful for your libido. It helps you think clearly, and it gives you stamina for your all of your regular daily activities. It also improves sleep.

Even knowing all of this can make us stutter and stammer when it comes to starting a new exercise program.

Here are 3 simple ways to get started:

• Buddy up.  Find someone that will truly kick you into gear if you start making excuses. And, be sure that your buddy has the same mind-set and similar goals for exercise that you do. Together, create a plan that you can both easily stick to and go for it.
• Find the time.  Find a time each and every day that will be used for nothing other than exercise. At first, it’s going to be tough to stick to that time. Your mind is going to have all sorts of reasons why you can’t. And you’re going to make up excuses. But, I promise, if you stick to a regular time for at least 2 weeks, it will become a new routine, and you’ll actually hate to miss your exercise time.
• Keep it simple.  To get aerobic benefits, you don’t have to beat yourself to a pulp. This is something that is echoed in the Body Enlightenment System.

Walking at a moderate pace for 20 to 30 minutes a day is the perfect way to start moving.

To know that you’re truly getting benefit from the movement, make sure you’re winded (that it’s not easy to have a conversation, or that you’re breathing heavier),  and that you feel like you’re really working.
Inertia is defined as “an object at rest stays at rest unless acted on by an outside force.” For those of us needing to start something, inertia can be our biggest rival.
But, once you get going and get into a new routine, it’s easy to build a great new momentum in the right direction.

Start simply, find a buddy, pick a time and go for it.

**Jenn Givler is a fitness and wellness coach. She helps busy women break their fitness hiatus, and shows them how to fit fitness into a busy schedule. You don’t have to be a fitness buff, or live at the gym to feel healthy, fit and strong. Check out Jenn’s web site for exercise ideas, recipes, and insight: JGivlerFitness.com

Moments in Thyme. . . Past Reflections

By Joyce Wiatroski

Saturday — a quick trip to the downtown library, a building crammed with knowledge and entertainment as well as a daytime refuge to many homeless souls. Then off to explore a new outdoor market.

I love the city.
Can’t imagine being away from the intoxicating smell of exhaust fumes, the cacophony of autos, sirens and church bells chiming the hour. After many a rainy Saturday, the sky is Florida blue, the sun shines benignly, tempered by a soft breeze and low humidity.

Early April paradise!

The produce the farmers parade looks pretty sad, but then the merchants don’t appear to be farmers. Wilted herbs, stunted red peppers nestled next to overgrown green cucumbers and giant, seed-filled zucchinis. Suddenly I’m surprised by perfect plump mushrooms bedded beside crisp, green snow peas. My mouth waters as I imagine the enticing aroma of the peas and mushrooms sautéing with sweet onions, grated ginger and a dash of roasted sesame oil. A few dollars change hands. Supper is solved.

As I sit surveying the scene, my senses are pleasantly piqued with a wonderful mix of orchid candles and handmade patchouli soap. I suspect I will have to have some of each before I leave.

Indulged myself! Hazelnut iced coffee and a warm fresh, buttery croissant lightly stuffed with caramelized onions and topped with poppy seeds. Probably 1,000 calories or more. Better walk an extra mile or two today.

Live music across the way lifts the spirit. The fountains in the center of the square are bubbling up and a few adventurous children dart in and out. I wonder where I put the slides I took here a couple of years ago for a class assignment. Great candid shots of a group of kids from a foster home clowning around while cooling off in the fountains on a very hot, humid Sunday afternoon. Worth looking for.

Lots of flowers and plants. Gorgeous orchids. Actually, the flowers and plants steal the show. It would be nice to have local, organic produce for sale. There are interesting artisanal breads and colorful ethnic salsas and a couple of coffee stands run by a mother and son with prices to put Starbucks to shame.

Young and old, fat and thin, black and white. The yuppies, the guppies, and even the old mullets, swarm around the square competing for walking space with a group of foraging pigeons. Little red legs, iridescent green neck feathers and amber beady eyes pecking away at whatever crumbs they find upon the ground. I pull apart small pieces from the end of my croissant and toss them out to the avian crowd. They come from clear across the square for a few small morsels of bread, then rise en masse, as they leave for another crumb sighting, startling dozing seniors resting on the scattered benches.

I reluctantly gather my things and prepare to leave, but not before I take one more turn around the square.

Finding these notes from six years ago reminded me how easy it is to find pleasure in the little things in life regardless of social standing, finances or location. Whether living in a big city, medium-sized town, or tiny village; single, married, widowed, divorced, young or old. We need to get outside and enjoy the riches Mother Nature offers. Stroll in a park, hike in the woods, check listings for art festivals, outdoor fairs and craft shows. Soak up the beauty in life — it’s one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves. Get some fresh air and sunshine.

Breathe deeply, smile widely and continue to manifest . . .

Like fine wine, women grow better with thyme.

** Joyce Wiatroski is the wit and wisdom found on foodiefumblings blog. You can watch for her contributions on the Diva blog on Tuesdays.

10 House Plants to Keep as Natural Air Purifiers

Now that we are getting into the colder months, we will most likely be spending more time indoors. That means getting less fresh air and inhaling that stale dry indoor air. What’s a girl to do?

I pondered that thought for a while and came up with this simple and quite obvious idea.

Plants!

Plants are excellent natural air purifiers.  During photosynthesis, plants are continuously taking in carbon dioxide and other airborne toxins to produce oxygen. That’s what you call instant air filtration! It has been estimated that 15-20 spider plants can completely detoxify a home of less than 2000 square feet. The rule  of thumb is 1 plant per 100 square feet. There are many other plants that work to purify as well.\

Having that many plants sounds like a lot but consider the benefits. Plants are natural, cost effective, they beautify your home, and they really bring the outdoors in. You can use hanging baskets, plant stands, and windowsills. If you have children or pets, be sure to keep any plant that is poisonous out of reach.

Here are some common living air purifiers:

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Golden pothos (epipremnum aureum) toxic to animals
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum species) poisonous
• Fern (Pteris species and nephrolepsis species)
• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum ‘Silver Queen’)
• Weeping Fig (ficus benjamina)
• heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron sp) poisonous
• Mums (Chrysanthemum sp) poisonous
• Gerbera daisy (Gerbera sp)
• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbabensis)

Don’t forget  about herbs! They also filter the air and are easily grown indoors.  Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, and mint are just a few that not only filter the air and offer aromatic properties, they add wonderful flavor to our food. Bring the garden inside and detoxify!

Christina Menefee

Living on Liquid Sunshine

Moments in Thyme . . . The Little Things We Do

By Joyce Wiatroski

“Almost everything you do will seem insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” —Gandhi

As I thought about these simple words I was struck by the depth of wisdom they impart.

When I take into consideration the magnificence of the universe on one hand, and the immensity of the challenges that face mankind on the other: securing world peace, protecting the environment, eradicating disease and alleviating poverty, I wonder how anything I do will make a difference.

Gandhi’s admonition that it’s important to do whatever little we can, resonates a simple truth. A cumulative effort will produce dramatic results.

Think about it.

• I can contribute to world peace by starting in my own neighborhood. By reaching out to a new neighbor, I’ve made an acquaintance out of a stranger.

• I’ve learned to smile at the homeless and greet handicapped people I pass on the street, instead of avoiding eye contact. When they smile back I no longer feel uncomfortable in their presence. Maybe their day will be a bit warmer and brighter, too.

• With a concern for protecting the environment, five years ago I stopped using plastic or paper bags when I shop. I’ve accumulated a collection of canvas tote bags and like a piece of plastic we often hear advertised, I “never leave home without it”.

• Even though I live on a very limited budget, I’ve made a small monthly commitment to an organization that helps the homeless—The Salvation Army Bed and Bread Club.
There are many other worthwhile organizations that would appreciate a few dollars regularly.

• Because I love and listen to my local FM station, practically 24-7, I support it with a nominal monthly donation. My small amount, added with the contribution of others, makes non-commercial news reports, classical music and mind-expanding programs possible for the whole community.

• I subscribe to the local newspaper, along with the RSS feed for a major metropolitan newspaper, giving me a different perspective and assuring that I’m aware of what’s happening in the world at large, as well as in my own backyard. Apathy is dangerous. We must take an interest in our world locally and globally.

• I subscribe to a variety of health, nutrition, and raw food related blogs and websites. With the marvels of modern technology, I take advantage of interviews, seminars and podcasts that inform and direct me as I pursue a healthy lifestyle.

• I keep up with issues that affect me personally and take note of subjects that pertain to family and friends as well. This allows me to forward information and encouragement to assist others on the road to abundant vibrant health.

• I take full responsibility for my own health and well-being. No one cares more about me than me. No one cares more about you than you. Never forget that.

Many of the things I do seem so insignificant. But in retrospect, I see how important
it is for each of us to do small things to make our neighborhoods a better place, to help our communities blossom, to heal relationships, to work on building healthier bodies.

If we adopt the rationale behind Gandhi’s quote, and do simple things consistently, the outcome may well have a far-reaching and lasting impact.

These individually insignificant actions will exponentially build a better world.

It’s up to us to make it happen. Let’s continue to manifest . . .

Like fine wine, women grow better with thyme.

Joyce Wiatroski is the wit and wisdom found on foodiefumblings blog. You can watch for her contributions on the Diva blog on Tuesdays.