How do you express your gratitude?

I say thank you to the bus driver & the guy at the store who surprised me. I thank my barista & my sweet husband. I believe that gratitude goes along way.

By having real conversations with the people that make our day better we acknowledge that they have a place. If it’s making our day easier or by putting a smile on our faces.

If you think that your barista doesn’t notice, you are wrong. Or your bus driver who got you safely home. They notice & they remember.

By acting entitled around those who help you, you may miss out on a good recommendation & some juicy gossip. By doing the opposite you gain respect & gratitude & another perspective.

What makes a teacher great?

A good teacher is open & honest & teaches you how to be better at the subject you’re learning.

My favorite teachers are the ones that taught me how to be a better writer. They’d be honest with me about my writing & what was missing in it without putting me down & being childish.

A great teacher inspires you to learn about the subject you are studying & to become passionate about it. A bad teacher doesn’t engage or teach you to think. They do nothing to inspire you or to reach your goals. Demotivational & mean, they often only care about how they think & not their students.

Being a good teacher means you inspire & teach people to be better than they are. A good teacher shows how to grab the stars, they don’t tell you you’ll never reach them.

Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?

I understand that many people think it’s cool to get a bag from a store, I think it’s so 20 years ago. I carry a bag that’s big enough to haul bread & milk plus a new dress.

I like having the discretion of not showing where I shop. Most retailers know that I carry my bought stuff in my bag. By not taking a plastic bag I make a difference.

I also try to get food on a napkin when they offer me a box. I also try to finish all the food when at a restaurant. I don’t like creating waste if I can avoid it. Or I take it home.

I’m also a huge fan of public transit, even when traveling. When we were in Spain we took the train & a very Sweaty bus. But it got us there & that’s what counts.

I also don’t try to shower every day. I shower when I need it & don’t just shower for the sake of doing it. My hair has to be dirty & I can tell that I need it.

I also believe in selling my clothes second hand so someone else can get joy out of wearing it.

What do you do?