Walking the Talk: How You Can Make a Difference

So many times in our lives we wish we had the time to do something that made a real difference. What I've realized lately is that we must make the time or the opportunity is lost. Instead of wasting our free moments with recreational spending or mind-numbing television, we could be taking action to protect our future. (A little preachy- true. But stick with me on this one.)

When I was in the leadership program with the Chicago Conservation Corps I was shocked to learn it's estimated that by the time my oldest goes to college we will have a worldwide water shortage of epic proportions. What will his world look like? How can we knowingly let this happen?

At that moment I made a silent pledge that I was not going to absorb this powerful message and simply wait for someone else to take care of it. If parenting teaches me anything it is to always lead by example and take personal responsibility for your place in this world.

I often remind myself that the lessons I need to learn are the same ones I share with my children: use your voice, share love and kindness with all things, use your courage to make the right choice... in the end they teach me. What better way to evolve as a person than to share your honest philosophy, your true character with another?

Every day I ask myself if I am walking the talk? Sounds corny, but it keeps me grounded to the fact that I have a choice each day to "be the change" I want to see in the world. It's my choice. Do I just call myself an environmentalist or do I express my beliefs through my actions?

This shift in my life led me to adopting 2 beaches in Chicago on a year round basis with the help of my organization, Chicago Green Families, the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Chicago Conservation Corps. Every first Sunday of the month we meet at the 12th St Beach at Northerly Island at 1pm and every third Thursday at Hartigan Beach at Loyola at 10am (starting in June) to educate families about how to protect our water and clean our beaches. Everyone needs to attend at least once so that you can take what you have learned into your own community and spread the word.