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giving happiness global impact

Day 25: How Many Coffee Cups are there in The World?

Today was one of those tough days. My 3 year old son stopped his afternoon nap this week, my wallet was picked up by error at the video store and I had to report it stolen, I discovered leak coming down the side of my house and my dog almost got hit by a car chasing a squirrel.

When I left the house this morning the last thing I wanted to do was GIVE to anyone or anything. I was wallowing in my own personal challenges as a working Mom and wondered what I had gotten myself into “giving back” every day for 365 days. How did I possible think I had the time in my life to do anything good today.

But I did. It may not have been a huge, I may not have done something monumental, but I did something for our planet and my community.  I have to be grateful for what I can do not what I can’t do.

Give 25 / Day 25

Today I walked past some garbage and my son stopped me. He jumped out of the stroller and said “Mom garbage! I get it!” It was a coffee cup and he got my GIVE going for the day. Today my role was local garbage picker. The interesting fact was that 95% of the garbage I picked up had something to do with coffee. Tim Horton’s, Bean Around the World, Star Bucks – I seem to have picked them all up today. Coffee cups, plastic cups, lids, and sleeves. I picked them up as we walked in addition to a few plastic bags and juice boxes.  I even found the answer to the question in my title today.

How many coffee cups are there in the world?

I love this site I came across Sustainability is Sexy. It is all about coffee cups. The answer to the headline is 23 billion by the US alone. Wow and I only picked up 15 today. The good news – I did pick up 15 and that is 15 less coffee related cups and accessories floating around my community and floating in the ocean.

We each do it, most likely every day. We walk past garbage and just keep walking. If we all picked up just a few pieces of garbage everyday our planet and our communities would be cleaner for our kids. If we also recycled the garbage we picked we would be saving the planet too. Just think about it, let it scratch the back of your brain and consider picking it up rather than walking past it.

Time Commitment: 7 minutes on our walking routes

Cost: 0

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)