Alicia Dolan

Penn State Altoona

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
216 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

30

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

300

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

600

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

40

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

225

minutes

being mindful

Alicia's actions

Water

Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Learn About Renewable Energy

I will spend 30 minutes learning more about renewable energy alternatives (i.e. solar, wind, biomass) in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 30 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 60 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

What is the main water source in your region? If you don't know, how could you find out?
Alicia Dolan 4/06/2020 7:13 PM
I don't really know, beyond that we have a water treatment facility a bit up the road. I suppose I could call them; I know my dad called once to ask about a weird taste in the water (apparently our town as a whole wasn't using ENOUGH water? How does that work?).

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy

What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
Alicia Dolan 4/06/2020 7:10 PM
It only makes sense. In a world of cycles, either you move with the cycle or you break it, and breaking a fundamental cycle just doesn't end well (see what happens if you break the cycle of heartbeats in your own body, for instance). Sustainable energy may not be a perfect solution, it certainly has its own issues, but at least it is an attempt - ignoring the problem is anything but!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

Kathleen Dean Moore says that a sense of gratitude leads to a sense of moral obligation. Do you agree? How do we cultivate a sense of gratitude as individuals, and as a society?
Alicia Dolan 4/06/2020 7:08 PM
It kind of does. If I'm honestly thankful for something, then it isn't something I can forget - it will stick with me, and inform my behavior to some degree thereafter (though whether that modification is always positive is up for debate). How to cultivate gratitude? Well... spend less time thinking about all the things we Should Have and a little more about what we do, perhaps. Especially that which ultimately is provided NOT by our own efforts.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?
Alicia Dolan 4/06/2020 7:06 PM
This is absolutely true. I always feel more invigorated after going outside, even if only for a few minutes, and opening my window to let fresh air in makes me feel restless and like I need to DO something, instead of dull and bored. The implications of a society trying its unconscious best to take that away is... well, we're suffocating ourselves.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

Father Thomas Berry says, "...our primary purpose is celebration. Celebration of the dawn and the sunset and the different seasons of the year is a religious ritual, a way in which humans can establish their integral relationship with the universe, with the planet Earth." Respond to Berry's assertion.
Alicia Dolan 4/06/2020 7:03 PM
Our purpose SHOULD be celebration, perhaps - celebration of a universe and belonging as part of it. I don't think we're really there. I do think we're trying, more or less, to find our way, at least.

Read More