"Selfish" Giving...is there such a thing?

So today on NPR there was a thought-provoking story titled:

'Selfish' Giving: Does It Count If You Get In Return?

(Click link to read story)...

This story caught my attention because I've grappled with the same notion. When is "giving" - gifts, money, time - truly altruistic. Is it ever? Or is it always? The story deals mostly with giving money for a cause - donations in the name of a company, person, etc. But they touch on volunteering as well. I guess maybe since I'm currently looking at my devastated budget and wrapping Christmas gifts for my niece and nephew that this hits home (the money one at least!)

In my humble opinion, the act of "giving" - even if it is for selfish reasons - is still good (and counts). Maybe it's because I was raised Catholic and went to Jesuit schools, where community service was important. I clearly remember spending one Christmas Day morning during high school at a soup kitchen in Tacoma, ladling out food and laughs to all the people who showed up. Did I choose to be there? Not really. I was kinda forced to go because of my mom, and kinda guilted into it by my peers. But I feel like the benefits of that experience - I still remember it 15 years on! - outnumber any selfish reasons that may have motivated me back then. The life lesson that everyone - even a homeless, alcoholic, down on their luck, person - has a story to tell. They weren't born that way. They may have never lived the life I had growing up, but they certainly deserve respect and support just like anyone else.

But there are some interesting points in the NPR story. Take for example all the "Pink Ribbon Crap" as I like to call it. You know, buy a product with a pink ribbon and support the fight against breast cancer. This one (of all the colored ribbon fundraisers) in particular hits home since my mom fought breast cancer for 17 years before dying due to complications from treatment (that's a whole other story!). One of the most egregious examples I've seen was pink cream cheese - in a pink plastic container. Really?! I appreciate the notion of supporting a cause, even if it's pennies on the dollar that probably goes to overhead to run a non-profit, rather than actual research. I know, I sound a little angry. I'm not, but it does irk me that an issue that is so personal, but yet affects so many families, has turned into a pink parade. What happened to a focus on prevention of cancer? Studying links between pollution, diet, lifestyle? And what about when links are made (chemicals) - what's happening to change our ways? I don't like the focus being completely on the fight and the cure. It's such an aggressive word. I guess it's easier than focusing on the "why" of how we got to this point. Which brings me back to buying stuff that supports this cause. It's easy to buy the pink tote, hat, pin. But I purposely choose not to. I'd rather see my money go more directly to the group that I want to support.

That said, I see where large corporations can get into a little trouble. By making it clear they support a certain cause, donate a little money, etc. they clearly are using marketing to attract certain customers. Is this bad? I guess it depends again on the intent. But even if the intent is to sell more stuff, doesn't some group somewhere benefit? All I'm saying is that the smallest actions - volunteering your time, buying a pink tote, donating to a cause - creates a tiny little change in your thinking - even within the biggest companies. You chose to do something, support a certain cause, help someone out, and therefore your actions reflect something you care about - no matter who else takes notice. And that can be called selfish, I suppose. But I think it's more accurate to call it being an engaged, thoughtful person.

Cosmic Panther Land Band...

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

Blog Action Day 2009

I found out about this event through a couple of environmental groups I am a member of. Today is a day of global activism, virtually! Should I say e-activism? Essentially the idea is that today, Oct. 15, 2009, bloggers around the world, from all walks of life and with completely different topics and passions, will all blog about the exact same thing. This year's topic is particularly appealing to me, both as a marine biologist who's job is impacted by climate change, and as an engaged global citizen. So, while I'm being an e-activist, I thought I'd add my two cents to the topic of climate change.

First off, there's debate as to the term "Climate Change". Some argue that this phrase is a watered down version of "Global Warming", which was replaced by those who are still not on the bandwagon (there's still people out there?!?). Some people want to use the word "Global Warming" instead, as it tends to pique people's interests and fear of impending doom more than the more PG-rated "Climate Change". As for me, well, I prefer climate change. I suppose that's because I'm a scientist, and therefore trained to thoroughly consider hypotheses and theories, conduct rigorous analysis, and when I make a conclusion, continue to maintain a level-head. No running around waving my hands and screaming "the world is ending, everyone run!!!". Plus, that's just not my personality anyways. Anyone who knows me knows I'm pretty much on the mellow yellow side of life.

But seriously - global warming, climate change, whatever you want to call it - it's a reality we all need to own up to. I don't need to give any examples, as we are all aware of major catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina. For me, it's just weird to sit back and look around and know that I am living during a time of major change in the world. When my parents were born there were millions and millions (dare I say billions?) fewer people living on Mother Earth. The worries of their daily lives were so simple, looking back. I often wish I could go back to when I was a kid, when I could only watch TV for 1 hour on Sunday night (The Muppets). I read a lot of books, was curious about the natural world in my neighborhood (ants, trees, slugs) and that Jacques Cousteau talked of. A time when I wrote with a pen in my diary that had a little lock on it (protect it from my sister's eyes). I played outside and talked a lot to my sister, brother, and parents. I mean, talked in person, on the couch, at the table, at the beach, in the yard. There was no internet, Xbox360, iPhone, DVD's, Prius...

I know I am over-simplifying things, but sometimes it just seems that as I've gotten older life has gotten more and more hectic. There are more distractions, more work, more worries, just more. Some of this "more" is the cause of climate change. More development, more driving, more production of stuff, more people, more packaging...I am not telling anyone what to do, but I'm personally trying to focus on "less". Less stuff, less waste, less buying, less money...so then I can focus on the important "mores" - family time, reading, relaxing...I think that if everyone just stopped once and thought about "less" we'd all be a little more...

Do you blog? Get involved! (and check back here on October 15...)

Get involved!

C'mon C'mon!

Fresh from the garden

Okay, I know it's not much compared to some people I know (http://tahomafarms.blogspot.com/) that are actually organic farmers by trade...but still!

Earlier this spring I set about with an idea to try growing something of my own. I wouldn't say I'm a master of the indoor house plant realm, but I was ready to step outside and try growing something I could, well, eat! And that needed a little more work than most of my indoor potted plants. So, I cleared out my backyard area (which, conveniently, had a raised bed-like area already built in). It's much simpler said than done (ask my dad!). I bought some seed packets - sticking to those "beginner" types of garden plants including lettuce, cherry tomatoes, basil and sunflowers. I was also partly motivated by a side-project I found about using sunflowers to monitor bee populations (which are in severe decline around the U.S.). I did some online research, not much, but enough to get me going. And off I went! Planted some lettuce seeds, some basil, tomatoes...And waited...and waited...and watered...and waited...(thoughts of caprese salad danced in my head...)

Finally, some teeny tiny seedlings sprouted (rejoicing!), at which point I was ready to consider my endeavor a success! But I kept with it, nurturing the seedlings along, trimming back the first leaves (as instructed), thinnning out, moving to larger pots, etc. etc. Amazingly, the plants kept growing! And growing they did. Some with greater success than others, to be sure. The 10+ sunflowers I planted resulted in exactly 4 plants, none of which have actually bloomed yet (and the tallest topping out just below my 2-year old niece's shoulders - small!). But the tomatoes, oh the tomatoes! If I had higher ceilings in my greenhouse/mudroom, they'd keep going! 6+ feet and going crazy! And finally, finally, there are actual small little green tomatoes on some of the vines! Could it be? I actually grew something from seed to plant? And the lettuce - one seed of about 50 actually sprouted and made it to salad-sized pieces - not too great, but hey, free food? I'll take it any day! I might even have some caprese salad by October!

The Gods Must Be Crazy

July 28, 2009

A day to remember my mom, Judy. She died 3 years ago on this day. It's a date I will never ever forget, because it's the day my entire life changed. I now think of my life as "before my mom died" and "after". It's a very distinct line in the proverbial sand - July 28, 2006. The "after" is very different from the "before", in many many ways. Not that different is bad, it's just that so many things have changed. Sometimes it seems like 10 minutes ago that I found out mom died, other times 10 years. But inevitably, always right around the end of July for the last couple years I get blue, want to spend more time with my family, and miss my mom. It's such a strange feeling, in the middle of summer, to be so sad. It's usually bright and sunny, lots of fun activities are planned, but yet there's an underlying heartache that won't go away. Compound that with my pending birthday in early August (and my mom's, that we used to celebrate together), and it's like turning on the blender of my emotions.

But now, we have a reason to reflect on the amazing cycle of life. Out of this very sad, memorable day comes a reason once again to be happy and celebrate. My newest nephew, Liam Christopher, was born on the exact same day, 3 years after my mom left us for the next world. The significance of this is so deep that I haven't fully comprehended it yet. I won't let myself, I don't think, until I am able to be with Jill and Liam and Frankie and the rest of my family. All I can say is that the Gods (or at least my mom and her mom, both together and watching us and laughing conspiratorially) are crazy. Crazy in a way that's right on.