ARTICLES

A New Year's Resolution

Written by: Holly | January 2008

As we enter into a new year, many of us will reflect on our lives and the world around us. It is often a time to take stock of our existence and marvel at how things have changed with the passing of each year. While on the one hand, we have experienced staggering technological advancements, our other hand is gripping to the last thread of a slower paced world. In our fully digitized, multi-format, mega gigabyte world, few of us even remember the days of building something with our bare hands or baking something completely from scratch. Instead, we are attempting to nourish our ailing bodies with synthetic cures like Prozac, Zoloft and Viagra because we don’t have time to rest, relax and detoxify. Our society is operating at high speed, 24/7 and we have become so programmed and desensitized, that we now require a constant barrage of stimulation. Movies have become faster, video games more extreme, mailing a letter is now considered “snail mail” and e-mail can’t even seem to keep up with us now so we have modified our language to enable faster communication through instant messaging systems. We now require such instant gratification that we grow frustrated if we have to wait in line for even a few minutes. The business world is scrambling for emergency preparedness to ensure that they can survive the doom of the next pandemic flu. Collectively, we need a break from the worry, confusion and mayhem. This is bringing about a bit of a groundswell in holistic remedies and lifestyles designed to re-introduce a natural and organic existence. With all of the push for ‘progress’, we have progressed ourselves right into depression, exhaustion and global warming. But it is not all gloom and doom. It’s actually very encouraging to see more and more people jumping on the holistic bandwagon and striving for a better way to live. In the coming year, ShopAware.com will be taking a closer look at those businesses who are determined to make a positive difference in the world. Whether a business is developing healthier alternatives to our everyday product needs, finding a way to reduce, reuse and recycle or simply creating a way to bring peacefulness to our supercharged world, we want to find and showcase them. We have started this in our favourite product picks this month by including some products and companies that meet these ideals. This month’s ShopAware Contest from Psalms 91:1 showcases another one of these businesses who has found a way to integrate a ‘green’ approach. Many of their fine jewellery pieces include recycled materials or pieces from vintage jewellery that have been re-crafted. Their jewellery is stunning and features a unique and eclectic charm. Be sure to enter to win! If you have come across a business that has really impressed you with a fresh and positive approach, let me know by e-mailing me at Holly@ShopAware.com.