“If not us,
then who?
If not now,
then when?”
– John Lewis

APPRECIATE

January is nearly over. How are those resolutions holding up? In all honesty, I’m not a big believer in the romantic ritual that we call New Year’s Resolutions, but I do have to admit that there is a kernel of goodness to it: resolutions aim to keep us accountable and steady on that track toward becoming better versions of ourselves. That being said, why can’t you do that any time of the year, without a big ado? That’s why I drafted a few imperatives that we can all practice, day in and day out.

1. Read more – Although there’s no magic number to reach, I would say four books a year at the very least – outside of English class requirements – is more than attainable. That’s only one book every three months! To kickstart your reading list, I recommend Brain on Fire, The Book Thief, The Boys in The Boat and Everything, Everything.

2. Don’t diet – Strike a balance. Be conscious of what you eat; opt for more water and natural foods over processed items. A quick browse of the snack aisle of Whole Foods, Sprouts or Trader Joe’s is enough to offer you an abundance of ideas. Personally, I make sure to stock up on thinkThin protein bars, freeze dried fruits and Cuties to stave off hunger.

3. Keep a journal – Be it through bullet points, illustration, or diary, adopt a record of the ups and downs and happenings of life.
Taking a moment to take inventory of your day promotes mood, and not to mention, preserves memories.

CHECK OUT

Looking for love? From Feb. 11-14 (excluding Monday), the Placer SPCA will be reducing all dog adoption fees to $14 in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. Adoption changes both the animal’s life and your own. They get the second chance they deserve and you get a winsome partner-in-crime.

Not to mention, it’s a fraction of the cost of other means.

VISIT

Fact: Slavery stills exists today. And it’s called human trafficking – the transportation of people for physical labor or sexual exploitation.
It is a $150 billion, grossing more than Nike, NFL, and Starbucks combined, with Sacramento as the third largest hub in the country.

Each of us has the power to aid in the movement toward abolition. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It takes a village to make a change, so get involved.

In-N-Out burger, Three Strands, and Good Paper are all reputable establishments with campaigns for awareness and against human trafficking. But if you are interested in making a more impact, Origin Coffee and Tea and Sacramento’s Grace Network provide opportunities for local residents to lend their time and energy to the cause.  What’s more is that both organizations are almost entirely sustained by volunteers. And at Origin, every cup makes a difference.