Today marks the 19 year anniversary of the Northridge earthquake that shook our world and destroyed our neighborhoods for the next several years... which also makes it a good day to review my emergency preparedness / disaster kit & plan.
Here are a few sites and links to visit to ensure you are prepared for an earthquake and/or other disaster:
The U.S. Government's Earthquake Hazards Program map is the site I visit most after an earthquake to see how large an earthquake was and where was the epi-center.
FEMA offers a variety of earthquake-related information resources.
American Red Cross: Prepare Your Home And Family
American Red Cross: Earthquake Safety Checklist
EarthquakeCountry.info has a great resource guide in pdf format to download here.
DareToPrepare.org
ShakeOut.org
The City of West Hollywood's emergency services / disaster preparedness section, has a Family Disaster Supplies Kit. Check with your local city resource guide as well for additional local relevant information including city evacuation plans and strategy information.
I also registered my cell phone number at Alert LA County for the LA County mass emergency notification system where they will contact me via call/text or email with what to do in case of an emergency.
17. Today I'm grateful to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Showing posts with label make a difference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label make a difference. Show all posts
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The first to apologize is the bravest...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
One Day On Earth - 10/10/10 a.k.a. The Day I Almost Disappeared
Where were you on October 10, 2010? That was the question I was asked prior to attending an LA Idea Project dinner series that hosted speakers Kyle Ruddick and Cari Ann Shim Sham, the team of One Day On Earth on February 12, 2011. This will be easy to figure out was my immediate thought. After all, among other things, I am a planner, a journalist and a photographer. I document and highlight key life moments daily, taking notes and pictures constantly of anything that intrigues, inspires or interests me. Or so I thought...
The day of the dinner, I searched high and low for evidence of my whereabouts on that day and came up blank. No notes or agenda written on my calendar, no pictures on my camera from that day, no emails written or received, no purchases made on my bank statements. The day was blank. How was this possible? I wondered... What did I do that day? I know I existed for here I still am. I didn't disappear. I must have done something?! Dig deeper, I thought. I must have some record of that day.
As it turns out, in order to detox, remove and release some of the stress and pressure of an incredibly full & productive life in the big bustling city that is Los Angeles and to truly relax, maintain balance, stay healthy, focused and grounded, sometimes I decide to simply slow things down and take a day for myself to just be quiet, rest and reflect. As I researched further, I realized that Sunday, October 10, 2010 was one of those days. Not yet having discovered One Day On Earth's cause, I thought it was a perfectly auspicious day to do so given it was a Sunday and the date was numerically aligned & significant, a perfect day for silence and reflection. I did receive two phone calls according to my phone records but other than that, I had nothing physical to contribute to the project. Still wanting to participate, I submitted a postcard with a 24-hour circular timeline with two small pie pieces marking the time of those phone calls as my contribution to the evening, "The Day I Almost Disappeared".
That evening, I discovered and was in complete awe of clips of this incredible crowd sourced documentary of everything that had been transpiring around me in the universe while I had essentially disconnected. While I was taking a brief and rare moment of silence and reflection, people from every country in the world were participating in the global film experience that is now the film documentary One Day On Earth.
The film is currently screening until June 28th at the Laemmle Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills. After much excitement and anticipation to see the finished film, yesterday I finally experienced the final incredible connected documented journey of that One Day On Earth and highly recommend you experience the beauty of it for yourself. People from every country in the world documented and submitted footage on a variety of beautifully passionate topics from life to death including children, animals, nature, the environment, love, health, war, famine, politics, the economy, music, passion, and more. The film's Director, Kyle Ruddick was at the screening I attended yesterday for a question and answer session. For more information and to participate in future events, please visit http://www.onedayonearth.org/
So do you know what were you doing on October 10, 2010? Do your homework to figure it out and then go witness the film and experience all that was simultaneously connecting to you to life on Earth on that one day. It's perspective is collaborative, participatory and inspiring all in one moment.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Please also show your support by sharing this information with others. Thank you. :)
Native American Code of Ethics
1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.
2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.
3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.
5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.
6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.
7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.
8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.
11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.
13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.
15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.
18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.
This originally appeared in the "Inter-Tribal Times," October, 1994
2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.
3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.
5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.
6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.
7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.
8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.
11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.
13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.
15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.
18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.
This originally appeared in the "Inter-Tribal Times," October, 1994
Sunday, February 19, 2012
One... ~Author Unknown
●●●
One tree can
start a forest,
One bird can
herald spring,
One smile can
begin a friendship,
One hand can
lift a soul,
One star can
guide a ship at sea,
One word can
frame the goal,
One vote can
change a nation,
One sunbeam
can light a room,
One candle
can wipe out darkness,
One laugh can
conquer gloom,
One hope can
raise our spirits,
One touch can
show you care,
One voice can
wake up everybody,
One life can
make the difference,
be that one
today.
into a new
way of thinking.
●●●
Saturday, February 18, 2012
43 Rules To Live By ~Author Unknown
2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say, "I love you", mean it.
5. When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slowly but think quickly.
13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
22. Spend some time alone.
23. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
24. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
25. Read more books and watch less TV.
26. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
27. Trust in God but lock your car.
28. A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
29. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
30. Read between the lines.
31. Share your knowledge... It's a way to achieve immortality.
32. Be gentle with the earth.
33. Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.
34. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
35. Mind your own business.
36. Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss.
37. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
38. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
39. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck,
40. Learn the rules then break some.
41. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
42. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
43. Remember that your character is your destiny.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Creating My Vision for 2012
2012 has just begun and I'm very excited about the upcoming year. Embarrassingly late, I finally purchased my 2012 Franklin Covey Planner in the style/size that I prefer yesterday and am making my plans for the month and year. I think it's amusing that my refills for 2012 were sold out at most of the stores until yesterday and I had to compromise my usually well-organized life until I finally found one copy at Staples in Hollywood yesterday. Apparently my organizer is very popular. Next year I'll remember to order it online in advance (October To-Do) and avoid days of chaos and scratch paper.
I personally maintain balance and organization throughout the year best by writing things down. Years of experience managing multiple people, projects and priorities has taught me, If I don't write it down, I don't do it. Now I love technology that keeps me organized but it actually became tedious to manage multiple online organization system resources (including Outlook, Google Calendar & Tasks, Blackberry, etc.) some of which only worked if I was logged into that particular program on that particular computer. Then one sad day my Blackberry crashed and I lost important irrecoverable data (with the best of intentions I didn't find or make time to backup my phone as often as necessary) and I decided that going forward I wanted to keep all of my important goals, ideas, appointments and to-do's recorded in one place that could move with me throughout the day, eliminating duplicate work and saving me time (my most valuable resource). The 2-page per day Franklin Planner has always been my most effective way to manage multiple life priorities at once. My approach to determining what will be in my calendar each year is a bit unique as explained here. I hope you find these ideas informative and helpful.
VISION CARDS
Four times each year, I sit down and brainstorm add to a list I created years ago called Vision Cards (flashcards work well). It's a simple one-word-per-card list of things I love including my highest priorities, values and joys in life. Once I've run out of ideas, I divide the Vision Cards into the following Life Categories:
It is important yet challenging to maintain balance between different areas of life. I use this system to get a better sense of my long-term goals, values and priorities in each area of life. I then honestly rate myself in each Life Category using a simple Green/Yellow/Red system. Green is good. Yellow is o.k. Red is bad. This helps me to prioritize where I most need to focus my attention. If I'm confident that I'm "Green" in a particular category, I may not spend as much time attempting to make change in that area if I have another "Red" area that truly needs more of my time and attention.
Aware that time limits the amount of goals I can focus on accomplishing in any given time frame, the next step in the process is to break each category's goals down into three specific and actionable things to accomplish over a period of time with a start and end goal date. This changes based on what the highest priority items are for that period of time and how long each goal will take to accomplish. I attempt to be realistic, specific and action-oriented when I set these goals always including one or two larger-than-life goals that I know will be more challenging. This keeps me interested by challenging myself to push the limits beyond what "I think" I can accomplish.
I keep a copy of my goals for each area visible in my organizer, reviewing them as I make my daily plans to stay on track. I also review my vision cards each quarter to track progress, adding items as I complete things and/or as my needs/values/priorities change. Not every area requires daily or even monthly focus. For example vacation/travel is usually limited to certain times of the year. In general, any more than three goals at a time in each area becomes overwhelming and I find I'm less likely to stay focused and on target.
Next, I create a schedule of daily/weekly/monthly routines to accomplish these goals that I add to my planner daily. It works best when I review/write my list first thing in the morning and review/write it again right before bed. I add to-do items/brainstorm ideas/notes from meetings to it all day long so it is usually not far from my side.
I have two additional cards that are my personal rules guide. The first one says, "DO EVERYTHING to the best of my ability... no matter what it is!" and the definition to Areté: being the best you can be, reaching your highest human potential. The other rule I've created for myself is, "Say NO when an activity/person does not fall into one of these categories/priorities."
If I am struggling with a particularly challenging goal, I will maintain an awareness that this may be an area of weakness for me, ask for feedback and support from friends, family and other resources and attempt to continue to keep that goal on the list until I accomplish it. Whatever it takes as long as I never give up!
One of the many commitments I've made towards progress this year count is to replace a few of my bad habits with good habits. Changing habits is a difficult thing for all of us. I googled "how to change a habit" and am committed to making my own plans using the techniques in The Habit Change Cheatsheet: 29 Ways to Successfully Ingrain a Behavior. I will be writing down my plans this evening.
I hope that by sharing some of my successful organizational strategies throughout the year, I may help you to accomplish your goals and commitments as well. Whatever your plans for 2012, I am wishing each and every one of you to have love, peace of mind, good health, and prosperity in this new year. May your day and year be bright!
I personally maintain balance and organization throughout the year best by writing things down. Years of experience managing multiple people, projects and priorities has taught me, If I don't write it down, I don't do it. Now I love technology that keeps me organized but it actually became tedious to manage multiple online organization system resources (including Outlook, Google Calendar & Tasks, Blackberry, etc.) some of which only worked if I was logged into that particular program on that particular computer. Then one sad day my Blackberry crashed and I lost important irrecoverable data (with the best of intentions I didn't find or make time to backup my phone as often as necessary) and I decided that going forward I wanted to keep all of my important goals, ideas, appointments and to-do's recorded in one place that could move with me throughout the day, eliminating duplicate work and saving me time (my most valuable resource). The 2-page per day Franklin Planner has always been my most effective way to manage multiple life priorities at once. My approach to determining what will be in my calendar each year is a bit unique as explained here. I hope you find these ideas informative and helpful.
VISION CARDS
Four times each year, I sit down and brainstorm add to a list I created years ago called Vision Cards (flashcards work well). It's a simple one-word-per-card list of things I love including my highest priorities, values and joys in life. Once I've run out of ideas, I divide the Vision Cards into the following Life Categories:
- Spiritual
- Home and Family
- Relationship
- Health
- Financial Freedom
- Career and Business
- Friends
- Vacation/Travel
- Hobbies
- Contribution to Larger Society
It is important yet challenging to maintain balance between different areas of life. I use this system to get a better sense of my long-term goals, values and priorities in each area of life. I then honestly rate myself in each Life Category using a simple Green/Yellow/Red system. Green is good. Yellow is o.k. Red is bad. This helps me to prioritize where I most need to focus my attention. If I'm confident that I'm "Green" in a particular category, I may not spend as much time attempting to make change in that area if I have another "Red" area that truly needs more of my time and attention.
Aware that time limits the amount of goals I can focus on accomplishing in any given time frame, the next step in the process is to break each category's goals down into three specific and actionable things to accomplish over a period of time with a start and end goal date. This changes based on what the highest priority items are for that period of time and how long each goal will take to accomplish. I attempt to be realistic, specific and action-oriented when I set these goals always including one or two larger-than-life goals that I know will be more challenging. This keeps me interested by challenging myself to push the limits beyond what "I think" I can accomplish.
I keep a copy of my goals for each area visible in my organizer, reviewing them as I make my daily plans to stay on track. I also review my vision cards each quarter to track progress, adding items as I complete things and/or as my needs/values/priorities change. Not every area requires daily or even monthly focus. For example vacation/travel is usually limited to certain times of the year. In general, any more than three goals at a time in each area becomes overwhelming and I find I'm less likely to stay focused and on target.
Next, I create a schedule of daily/weekly/monthly routines to accomplish these goals that I add to my planner daily. It works best when I review/write my list first thing in the morning and review/write it again right before bed. I add to-do items/brainstorm ideas/notes from meetings to it all day long so it is usually not far from my side.
I have two additional cards that are my personal rules guide. The first one says, "DO EVERYTHING to the best of my ability... no matter what it is!" and the definition to Areté: being the best you can be, reaching your highest human potential. The other rule I've created for myself is, "Say NO when an activity/person does not fall into one of these categories/priorities."
If I am struggling with a particularly challenging goal, I will maintain an awareness that this may be an area of weakness for me, ask for feedback and support from friends, family and other resources and attempt to continue to keep that goal on the list until I accomplish it. Whatever it takes as long as I never give up!
One of the many commitments I've made towards progress this year count is to replace a few of my bad habits with good habits. Changing habits is a difficult thing for all of us. I googled "how to change a habit" and am committed to making my own plans using the techniques in The Habit Change Cheatsheet: 29 Ways to Successfully Ingrain a Behavior. I will be writing down my plans this evening.
I hope that by sharing some of my successful organizational strategies throughout the year, I may help you to accomplish your goals and commitments as well. Whatever your plans for 2012, I am wishing each and every one of you to have love, peace of mind, good health, and prosperity in this new year. May your day and year be bright!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
20th Annual PALLOWEEN at The Barker Hangar
What: The Westside Premiere Halloween Event for families on Halloween night! Featuring, in fantasy-come-true surroundings, costume contests, trick-ortreat lane, haunted house, tot area, and game booths.
When: Monday, October 31st, 2011 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Barker Hangar 3021 Airport Avenue Santa Monica Airport
Why: To provide a safe and fun place for kids to be on Halloween.
Who: Estimate more than 6,500 guests including children and their families.
Please click for more information on how you can support and participate in the 2011 PALLOWEEN event!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Disposable Products by Earthchoice
After bringing home a delicious blueberry muffin from a local family owned cafe The French Market Place yesterday, I was pleased when I opened the container and found it to be a recyclable Earthchoice Fiber Blend Hingeware container by Pactive. This container is made in the U.S.A. of a blend of fiber and pulp materials from sustainable and renewable resources.
Although I had passed The French Market Place a million times and always wanted to stop in, this was my first time visiting this cafe as there are so many great restaurants and shops just walking distance from my house to choose from. I will definitely visit again, not just because of the reasonably priced, simple-but-good breakfast, friendly service and fun atmosphere with a Bourbon Street themed decor, but specifically knowing that I am supporting a local business that promotes eco-friendly, recylable products.
Even more exciting, I discovered that Pactive's Earthchoice line offers a variety of other eco-friendly products including straws made with PLA, a 100% annually renewable material made from plants. According to Ingeo's website, "If you replace the PET in 100,000 plastic food containers with Ingeo, you can save greenhouse gas emissions equal to driving a car 16,000 miles and non-renewable energy equal to 10 barrels of oil or 775 gallons of gasoline."
For more information on Ingeo's impact on the environment, visit Ingeo's Eco Profile. Every step we take makes a difference towards positive impact, so please take it even one step further in your own community and ask your local restaurants to carry and promote eco-friendly renewable products and containers as well.
Although I had passed The French Market Place a million times and always wanted to stop in, this was my first time visiting this cafe as there are so many great restaurants and shops just walking distance from my house to choose from. I will definitely visit again, not just because of the reasonably priced, simple-but-good breakfast, friendly service and fun atmosphere with a Bourbon Street themed decor, but specifically knowing that I am supporting a local business that promotes eco-friendly, recylable products.
Even more exciting, I discovered that Pactive's Earthchoice line offers a variety of other eco-friendly products including straws made with PLA, a 100% annually renewable material made from plants. According to Ingeo's website, "If you replace the PET in 100,000 plastic food containers with Ingeo, you can save greenhouse gas emissions equal to driving a car 16,000 miles and non-renewable energy equal to 10 barrels of oil or 775 gallons of gasoline."
For more information on Ingeo's impact on the environment, visit Ingeo's Eco Profile. Every step we take makes a difference towards positive impact, so please take it even one step further in your own community and ask your local restaurants to carry and promote eco-friendly renewable products and containers as well.
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