Confronting Your Fears

Its easier to become a part of the green homes trend than you may thinkand a lot less expensive. OptHome research shows that homeowners want to be more eco-conscious but believe that it will cost too much money. By incorporating just a few simple and costeffective tips into every day living, you can turn your home into a more energy-efficient and green home.

OptHome recommends these 10 easy steps to go green and save green:

1. Recycle: It’s free, reduces household consumption and increases energy efficiency.

2. Save Water: Install low-flow shower heads and faucets to cut back on water flow. A simple fix shorten your shower times and shorten your water bill.

3. Conserve Rain Water: Set up barrels in your backyard to collect rain water and snow for watering plants and shrubs. Use this to water your indoor plants too.

4. Reduce Electricity: Remember to turn off the light when you leave the room and to unplug your computer and other electronics and appliances when not in use.. These small gestures will not only save energy but will save you money on your electric bill as well. .

5. Replace Light Bulbs: Replace your current light bulbs with compact florescent lighting. Believe it or not, these bulbs use 30% less energy, but produce the same amount of light and last longer.

6. Drive Less: You may not be ready to give up your sporty SUV, but why not trade it in for a hybrid. If that’s not in your budget, carpool or try walking.

7. Double up on Printing: Configure your computer to print on both sides of the paper. This saves paper, trees and you running out to the store last minute to buy a new supply.

8. Adjust Refrigerator temperature: Refrigerators use up the most electricity in your house. Adjust your fridge to the average temperature of 37 degrees F and your freezer to 0 degrees F.

9. Support Local Farms: You will be cutting back on gas and decreasing our dependence on oil with the trucks that are used to ship produce. Best of all, you will be eating delicious fruit and veggies that have less chemicals.

10. Dry Clothes Outside: Give your dryer a break. Hang your clothes outside and get that fresh smell. You’ll also be reducing the amount of energy you use in the home.

About OptHome

OptHome(TM) (www.opthome.com) is the ultimate online resource for empowering homeowners, buyers and sellers to make smart decisions for all their homeowner needs. OptHome(TM) is the ‘go to’ resource for accurate information on real estate agents in individual markets, helping consumers identify and refer highly qualified real estate agents to buyer and sellers. For more information, visit www.opthome.com or call 888-765-MYHOME. Confronting Your Fears22042Confronting Your FearsRecently I went to Price Books to sell some old books and found a VHS copy of The Wizard of Oz. It is such a delightful story. Although when I was a kid, I remember being terrified of those parts of the movie that are supposed to scare you, especially when the Wicked Witch of the West and those awful monkeys show up.

I watched the movie just to the point where Dorothy, Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow are admitted to see the Wizard for the first time.

They have been happily traveling on the path of the Yellow Brick Road and easily reach the Emerald City where they think they have it made. However, the Wizard is more than they bargained for. The Wizard, as you remember, is very intimidating as he shows up as a larger-than-life shouting apparition spitting fire and smoke.

Dorothy and her friends must confront their fears and step up to the Wizard to ask for what they want. Moreover, as if that wasn’t enough, The Wizard demands even more from them the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom.

Of course, the Great Oz knows that each one will find what they are looking for by doing the thing he asks. Dorothy will find her way home; the Tin Man will find his heart, the Lion his courage, and the Scarecrow his brains.

How often, on our own path, do we let the journey ahead look frightening to us, whether it is changing a job, moving to a new city, making a speech, going back to school, finding a relationship, starting a business or traveling alone? Whatever the fear is, it can certainly hold its grip on us and even though we haven’t met some scary Wizard who can grant us or not grant us our wishes, there might as well be.

I somehow think it would be easier if there were a nasty ol’ Wizard out there. It would give us a reason to stay safe and comfy, wouldn’t it?

However, everything you want is on the other side of fear. Usually your most important breakthroughs are on the other side of your fear.

What could be more frightening than killing the Witch to get her broomstick? Like Dorothy and her friends on a mission to get the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom, we all have our own journey to find what we are looking for.

Where are you holding back because of fear? What are you not contributing or giving to the world because you are afraid?

A few years ago, I visited the Georgia O’Keefe museum in Santa Fe and on a plaque was the following quote from her: I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. Georgia O’Keefe

So the only way to get over your fears is to go through with the thing you fear the most.

Think of the art that Georgia O’Keefe has contributed to the world. Had she stayed in her fear, we would not have seen nature and colorful Southwest landscapes through her eyes.

Dorothy found her home, the Lion found his courage, the Tin Man found his heart and the Scarecrow found his brains only after they confronted their fears.

As you plan your career and business, remember that any thing that causes you fear is the seed of something great.

Kathy Garland, 2007 – 2008 Cordially,

Kathy Garland

Ignite Your Imagination. Focus Your Future.
www.kathygarland.com
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