A Green New Year Resolution

Don’t buy something unless you really need it.

Come on, your mother told you that tons of times, didn’t she? But did you ever listen? Noooooo.

Mother Nature would have yelled out the same thing. She didn’t. Now she’s just punishing us in different ways. Think about it the next time you are fiddling the air conditioning switches in your car, wondering why it can’t combat the heat outside. The problem is not with the car, but with you and me.

“I will not buy it if I really, really don’t need it.” Add it on to your resolutions /  goals or whatever it is you want to call that list. Write it down on slips of paper, on that electronic device you’re attached to, or stamp in on your mind.

Making a difference in the world is that simple. The article Let’s change the business paradigm – and save theplanet, mentions it.

“Now the company asks customers tosign a pledge that they won't buy something unless they really need it.”

That’s what we should do. Get together with a couple of friends and sign a pledge not to buy unnecessarily. At least, you’ll be able to nudge one another on towards keeping it. 

Christmas Smells Swell, a short story

Christmas Stories. I wrote a couple of  'em but was told they were too sad. Bah humbug! 

Read 'em for yourself and tell me if you tear up. 

By the way, if you're going to reproduce any part of it, please do acknowledge author - Sheela Prabhakaran. 

Christmas Smells Swell 

I sat sullenly in the corner, facing the wall. Dad’s idea of punishment was never fun.

It had started out innocently enough with a stink bomb. Isn’t that what brothers do? Play tricks on one another?

Unfortunately, mum and dad didn’t think so. Mum was in a right rotten mood. “Just before Christmas too! Will we ever get this smell out?” she grumbled loudly enough for the entire town to hear.

I hung my head in shame. I didn't want to be on Santa’s naughty list. I needed to do something, and do it quick too.

Once Dad was done with me, I rushed out into the forest. A squirrel tilted her head at me as she sat with her bushy tail moving languidly behind her. “What should I do?” I asked her.

Talking to a squirrel – what would my friends say? But there was no one else to turn to. Mum certainly didn't want to talk to me just then. Anyway, that’s when the most amazing thing happened.

The squirrel chattered loudly, attracting her mate. I watched fascinated as they gathered pine-cones  flowers and other fragrant herbs from the forest. They dragged it all close to me and gave me one long look before scooting off.

Why of course! Forest fragrance will drown the stink in our log cabin. “Thank you!” I yelled after the chattering chums. Christmas was starting to look merry once again.  

Secret Worlds

A mask for the world to watch

Another for a few to glimpse

A third kept secreted away.

 
Our inner worlds are many

Like a river’s murky depths

Yet, apart like day and night.

Familiar eyes widen

Puzzled over newfound trails

Uncertain where to trod.

Wishing fervently black was black

Whilst white remained white

Detesting confusing depths of grey.

A world for each moment in time

We are but constantly changing

Never still, always elusive.