Have a beautiful new year….

Hope you spend your New Year with people you love…

 

Eco – “Rich Dad, Poor Dad?”

 

Cross posted at Wiser Earth.

About five years ago, I read Robert Kiyosaki’s wildly popular book, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” (www.richdad.com) At the time, I was looking to re-evaluate my relationship with money given my desire to own a house, have kids and really understand my financial future.

At the time, I was still knee deep into environmental and social organizing in Santa Barbara County and realized that I was going to have a difficult time living in Santa Barbara on this non-profit income.

“Rich Dad, Poor Dad” was an amazing read and really affected me. It took a long time negative issue for my liberal mind and helped me understand the power of understanding how money and business work. For years, I had spoken to students at UCSB counseling them that we did not need more ‘activists’ simply dedicated to pounding the pavement. We needed people who understood the business world, finances, trade, manufacturing etc. For all that counsel I gave years ago, this was my own first step to following my own advice.

Robert breaks down his own interpretation of the philosophy behind those who embrace money and those who have a negative relationship with it in the form of his ‘rich dad’ who is a business man and his ‘poor dad’ who is a teacher. He also challenges you to understand issues like passive income, assets and liabilities. This is a compelling read and I would recommend it to anyone.

After reading the book with my environmental and social sensibilities, I was left wanting to learn more about understanding and making money in a socially responsible fashion. Rich Dad, Poor Dad is completely devoid of such a discussion and they don’t claim to offer such information.

So who is the eco-finance guru out there? Who is going to write the book that teaches environmentally/socially minded individuals the power of the dollar, how to understand finances and business?

I’m sure there are authors out there already. I know Paul Hawken’s “Ecology of Commerce” was a step in the right direction. Who else is out there?

 

TGIF: John Mayer’s “Waiting”

The more I hear and read about John Mayer, the more I like him. Great song.

Have a great weekend.

-d

 

Christmas through the eyes of a 2 year old

Christmas spirit has returned to my life.

My daughter Talia is two years old and this was her first genuine Christmas. Last Christmas my family was in Hawaii and, as lovely as Hawaii is, it isn’t quite the same experience.

This year we had both sides of the family in town, the weather was gorgeous but cold enough to dress here in cute little Christmas outfits from the grandma’s, and there were Christmas trees and lights all over the place.

Needless to say, the grandparents went to town on gifts. We simply asked for no plastic toys or plastic anything and they delivered in fine fashion….cool books, plenty of fun stuffed animals and dolls, and necessary clothing for our sprouting daughter.

It was awesome watching Talia carefully unwrap her gifts, tearing at the wrapping paper slowly, piece by piece, asking for help when the tape made things tough and then finally getting to the prize. The camera’s flashed as we attempted to capture her delightful expressions as she prodded and poked each new item seemingly more interested in sitting with each new gift and playing with it rather than ceding to our need for her to open the next gift so we could snap off a few more photos.

As much as Talia enjoyed the Christmas festivities, it was really us parents and relatives who seemed to enjoy it the most. We stopped at houses to show Talia particularly impressive light displays, sang ‘jingle bells’ on the car rides, talked about Santa and otherwise were filled with Christmas cheer.

And all of this Christmas spirit is due to our desire to show my daughter Talia the magic we felt when we were kids. So, thank you Talia for inspiring us to remember the innocence and magic of Christmas.

Talia and I spent the first part of this early morning on another ritual of Christmas, trying to figure out how to fix one of her toys that is already broken.

-d

 

All I want for Christmas is… (you know the song)

The holidays are here as is the the inevitable time for reflection. Like you, I’m busy trying to suppress my obligatory urges to buy gifts for people while making sure all the important people in my life are recognized and appreciated.

I have to tell you, the best gifts to offer someone or receive from another is the gift of inspiration. Does this sound cheesy? Sure. But think about it. The people and experiences in my life that really mean something to me are those that inspired me.

People chasing their dreams, people offering random acts of kindness, positivity, passion and enthusiasm for life. Those ‘traits’ if you will, are really gifts to the rest of us.

So thanks to all of you who are stoked on life and spreading your energy near and far.

And yes, I would still appreciate a new wetsuit for the Christmas in case you MUST buy something!

peace

David

 

Happy Friday Tune: Bird on the Water by Zach Gill

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Lovely song from my friend Zach.  Have a great weekend people, give thanks for another Holiday with family and friends.

peace

-d

 

Last minute Holiday “Green” Gifts

Hi all:

Pretty last minute,  but this Green Gift Guide from Tree Hugger is pretty awesome.

We just finished making a ton of homemade granola for close friends and family…it turned out pretty good.

Vote with your dollars, buy ‘green’ products whenever possible.

 

The Story of Stuff

Story of Stuff

This 20 minute clip is worth watching! We are all struggling to not get sucked into the vortex of consumption this holiday season, and this informative movie will put everything in perspective and make you think about the product in your hands before you decide to purchase it….it only takes those few seconds to make a decision about whether it is a need or a want…and you will be surprised how your perspective will shift and you will free yourself from the holiday boogaloo….

If you really are feeling the need to purchase something…hit up the thrift stores! They are bursting with amazing gifts ready to be regifted and your wallet will thank you

Namaste…
Jenn

 

One month away….time for a belly cast

Good morning!

Tonight my very pregnant wife Terra is getting a belly cast made of her beautiful tummy. A couple friend and her sister are pulling together to immortalize her 8 months pregnant belly and boobs that will long serve as a reminder to this pregnancy.

What makes this belly cast special is that this is our second child and we hoped to have a belly cast from our first child Talia, now two years old. 7 weeks before her due date, November 26th, Talia decided to join us.

We hadn’t finished our birthing classes, didn’t have a baby shower, didn’t have a belly cast. The plot thickened: Talia had complications and was immediately whisked to the neonatal intensive care unit. We all spent the next 6 weeks in the hospital helping Talia heal.

Talia did come home, safe and sound. In the future, I’ll share the entire story…it is pretty amazing.

Regardless, we give thanks that Terra will enjoy and evening with her ladies, casting her beautiful belly.

So far the baby is doing well by all accounts and we are on track for a term or near term birth date.

Stoked!

 

Happy Monday Tune: Jill Scott, Golden!

Jill Scott puts the "I" in inspirational. Majestic voice, lovely human being, great message, great sound and a great example for every woman. My wife and I saw here at the House of Blues in Los Angeles a couple of months ago and had a fantastic night together shaking it on the dance floor.

Enjoy! Have a good week.