I am feeling feisty!

Introduction

I have a friend whom I love very dearly, but she falls into the trap of believing everything she sees online. (No offense, hun!) This is for everyone: most of what you read online is incredibly biased or inaccurate. Look for sources and check them. The most brilliant minds are those who question. Question everything. Don’t make judgments or statements until you have ALL the information.

 

Wind Energy: A Bad Article

My friend linked the following article on a social media site:

http://sadhillnews.com/2013/12/06/obama-to-sign-rule-allowing-wind-farms-to-kill-bald-eagles

We are graced with a shocking, graphic image of a bloody bald eagle, which is supposed to draw out aggression in the reader. The article is crass, unprofessional and biased and is part of a site that is possibly even crasser with an apparent goal of being as offensive as possible. At first, I thought this was a joke news site.

The short article gives two links to resources in order to support the article. The first source is a somewhat reasonable article based on a University of Colorado Denver study on wind turbines killing bats. The article provides excellent details based on the study, including sats. The article, however, leaves out a very important part: what is the alternative? How many bats are killed by nuclear and fossil fuel energies? The article poses this question, but does not answer it. The article is current and I do give it kudos in factoring in some possible errors in the study. The article gives insight on one small fraction of a much bigger issue.

The second source is also a mixed article, giving some good information backed up by research to answer the negatives with wind power but it only gives trivial, secluded accounts related to its fossil fuel counterparts. They again neglect the big picture and the comparison.

 

Wind Energy: A Good Article

It took me a while to find an article that was professional and non-biased related to the subject of wind energy and bird deaths, but I did find one alas. Finding quality information takes a while when searching online due to the fact that anyone can post anything they want online!

http://scitizen.com/future-energies/save-birds-by-promoting-wind-energy_a-14-2731.html

This article presents research based on a number of credible sources as well as looking at the big picture. The article looks at studies of all types of energy and gives the facts straight up, without any smart aleck or biased comments. The article is professional and has substance.

My Conclusion

From reading the two articles aforementioned, I will make my own judgment based on the information in the second article because it is non-biased and is written by a grown up. I’ll admit that I am a very liberal individual and am very opinionated but I question everything. I believe that we have to question our faith and our knowledge in order to grow as beings. Otherwise we fall into ignorance and we fall backwards into humanity.

The following statement is what helped me find my answer to the question of which is worst for the various bird species that roam beautifully through our skies?

“In absolute terms, since wind turbines produced a relatively small amount of national electricity in the United States in 2006, they may have killed about 7,000 but fossil fueled stations killed 14.5 million and nuclear power plants 327,000.”

The research based numbers paint the picture clear as day to me. It is sad to see any birds dying for any reason in large numbers, but that is just the nature of our current state of humanity and that is not going to change too quickly or too easily, if it ever will. While researching for this article I found out that more birds are killed by flying into buildings per year than any of these energy sources. I believe that we should minimize our impact on hurting the environment. Wind energy is not perfect but it is an improvement! And not just in the number of species it affects. Take the time and research. Dig deep and question and maybe you’ll find out some interesting things when you find trustworthy resources!

 

Final Thought

Blind faith is the same as having no faith at all.

A Journey to Purity of the Body, Mind, Soul, & Planet

Make Time
Though I may not make the time to write on here as often as I should, I do make the time in my busy schedule to make smart, healthy choices. First and foremost should always be yourself. You must take care of yourself inside and out. Only then can you truly help others full-heartedly. I am taking on more than I have ever done before in my life. I am working two jobs and going to school full time, plus trying to put an effort into my marriage and taking care of myself. So how do I do it?

The Body
 As I mentioned before, I am overweight, which is something I have struggled with for years. I am loosing weight pretty steadily and have been for almost a year probably due to my health choices. I do not consume meat, which is highly fattening and usually laced with harmful substances (please eat organic flesh). I have been a vegetarian for many years and my energy level is much higher than when I ate meat. For the passed six months, I have been working on education myself as to what is on the labels. Sure, sometimes I mess up but 92% of the time, if I don't know what it is, I won't eat it. You'd be surprised what is really in food under the strangest names. Anal secretions from beavers and duck feathers to name a couple. (GROSS!) I have been trying to switch to whole foods as much as possible, avoiding processed foods as well as dairy. I feel amazing when I have a day of just fruits, veggies, and nuts! Lately I have got my spouse into working with eating healthy, which makes it more fun! Get a buddy to change up your diet!

Diet is only half the battle to getting (or maintaining) a healthy body. Then there is exercise. I do enjoy walks quite frequently and have been throwing in yoga a couple times a week as well. I do struggle in the exercise department, but I am getting better! Baby steps are still steps in the right direction!

The  Mind
I use meditation and yoga help me de-stress and clear my mind. To work out my mind I do the mind games at Lumosity.com and often play critical thinking and number games with my spouse and/or friends. Then there is my homework of course...But back to Lumosity. Look it up! It is amazing. I just do the free trial and it's customized to my own needs, which is awesome. It has really helped me build up better memory and concentration skills.

The Soul
Everyday, I look at myself and make sure that I am doing the best that I can with what I have right now in this moment.

The World
We only have one planet Earth and it's going all to hell as most of you know. Over the past year, I have made steps to cut down my footprint on this planet. I hope you will choose to do the same. Start with something small. Then add another small step. Then another. Then another. Here's a list of the things that I do to help mother nature:

- Don't consume meat
- Use reusable bags at the grocery store
- Keep the thermostat at 68 in the winter and 72 in the summer
- Drink tap water (with a filter) instead of buying bottles - I also use a reusable aluminum bottle instead of plastic

Borrow some of my ideas, come up with your own, research! Do what you can right now and add on later. Every little bit helps!

And most important...
I am patient with myself. You must be too. You are not perfect. You never will be. All you can do is your best at any given moment in time. Don't beat yourself up! Namaste!

Much love and peace,
Charlie

Adding on to "Happy Cells"
This is just a little thought that adds to my post from back in June. Have a fantastic Thursday everyone!

Much love and peace,
Charlie

Pay it Forward

Pay it Forward
I was just thinking about something that happened at work the other day. They tipped me $10 for a $13 bill and told me to pay it forward. They were very kind. I think this is such a sweet philosophy. I wonder if we all did this if the world would be a much better place. Even something little like a bigger tip to a waitress/waiter who is probably in need of it. If you've never seen the film, Pay it Forward I strongly suggest it. It is about a young boy (Haley Joel Osmet) who comes up with a plan for a school project to make the world a better place. His plan is that if everyone chooses to do something big for three people and those three people pass on the generosity to three more people each (and so on and so on) that the world would indeed become a much better place. I agree with this fictional little boy. If we open up our hearts and help those in need, we could inspire some pretty big changes here on earth. Generosity and compassion are not only prevalent in Buddhism, but Christianity and all other major religions. Even if you do not have faith in anything, think about how good you feel when you do help someone. Do something kind today. Do something kind tomorrow. Pass it on. Pay it forward!


Final Thought
"Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one's serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness." 

As always
Much love and peace,
Charlie

My Steps to Health and Happiness

I've been so busy with school work and work work so I apologize for my absence. I have been working so hard on my education and on my own well-being! I will be excited to have some time to fill you in on my life, adventures, and discoveries.

But for now, I will just have enough time to share with you my five daily tips for health and happiness. Again, feel free to check me out on twitter @CharlieKehl !

As always
Much love and peace,
Charlie