Caroline Sumner's Blog

Don't say don't!

Caroline Sumner — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:35:48 GMT

I'm so tired of hearing people say that they want to help but they don't have the time, don't know how, don't have the money, don't have the energy. All these little don'ts are adding up to one big WON'T.

Find your way to help. Google it. I promise, helping make the world better is easier than we can imagine...

A 12-Step Program Anyone Can Follow!

Caroline Sumner — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:19:06 GMT

I challenge you to save the world. No, I'm not saying you need to don a cape, learn to fly, and stop crime (though that would be pretty freakin' sweet). The things I'm about to suggest to you can be done from the comfort of your own desk chair while you check your e-mail, aimlessly Facebook, or while pirating some new tunes. I present to you my 12-step program for making the world a better place.

1. My unsurprising first challenge to you is to watch the documentary "Invisible Children". I own a copy, so if anyone would like to borrow it or watch it with me, please let me know and I'll be happy to oblige. If you'd prefer, it's available on Google videos at Google videos.. It's not quite an hour long and it's extremely well-done and fast-paced, so please check it out if you never have before.

2. Next, take a look atFree Rice.. Not only will you get smarter, you'll lend a hand in helping to end world hunger (and right now, this is of the utmost importance due to the extreme food shortages the world is experiencing). Please, take ten minutes a day to play this game. It's seriously addictive and a great way to do some good.

3. The Hunger Site. is one of my favorite websites. Just by clicking, you can donate to six separate charities! Plus, they have online stores filled with many beautiful (and affordable) items. My peace sign necklace was purchased from there, and with it 25 cups of food were donated!

4. Razoo. is another great website. There are tons of people on there with amazing ideas for good that can be done. I start my day by hopping on there for a few minutes and soaking up the positivity.

5. Find out what kind of impact you make on the environment by going here..
The results are pretty shocking and may inspire you to take some steps towards decreasing your negative impact in favor of the positive!

6. Cut down on your meat consumption by about half. One of the biggest contributers to global warming is the meat industry. And even if you're not a big believer in global warming, a meat-free or minimal-meat diet can greatly reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer, or stroke. Besides, your mom will be so proud when you ask for seconds on your veggies!

Side note: I know giving up meat is hard. I've been and on-and-off vegetarian/vegan/pescetarian/omnivore for years. However, I've officially sworn off meat and intend to keep this as a permanent decision. I found after two weeks of not eating meat that I felt so much healthier, and I even lost some weight without changing any other habits of mine! So if you'd like some information about vegetarianism (or just some help with suggestions on food substitutions), hit me up and I'm happy to help.

7. If you're not using it, turn it off. It's the simplest way to cut down on your energy output (and costs).

8. Use an eco-friendly light bulb. Yes, if they break there is a slight danger, but I've been using these bulbs exclusively for a while now and I've never had a break. So don't panic. The best part about them is that while they cost more to buy, they will ultimately save you a good bundle of money. And they last for ages! If you use them for three hours a day, they can last for up to seven years! Quite a helpful statistic when considering a college budget.

9. Substitute one or more of your shopping items with something that's fair trade. For me, I choose coffee. Here in Richmond, there is a wonderful store in Carytown called Ten Thousand Villages. Everything there is fair trade and they have some amazing things for even more amazing prices. I buy a lot of gifts (and treats for myself, I admit it) from there...especially their delicious coffee! There are always free samples of the coffee for you to check out. For more information about fair trade, please go here..

10. If you're a fan of chocolate and endangered species, try my new favorite chocolate bars: Endangered Species Chocolate.. They have tons of delicious flavors, from white to milk to dark and everything in between. My personal favorites are Extreme Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Cherries, and Dark Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs. They can be found at Ukrop's and For the Love of Chocolate, and Elwood Thompson's here in Richmond.

11. Be nice to people. Yes, I'm serious. Make eye contact and smile at the guy who hands you the coffee at Starbucks. Hold the door for the girl behind you. Compliment someone. Give a "just because" card to your grandma. Bake cookies for your friends for no reason. Pay the toll for the car behind you every now and then. These little things can really brighten not only your day, but the days of everyone they impact. The butterfly effect isn't just a theory when it comes to karma.

12. Spread the love! Watch "Invisible Children" with a group of friends. Buy fair trade items as birthday gifts. Cook a vegetarian meal for your family. By sharing the information you learn as you start your 12-step program towards saving the world, you will ultimately make this goal even more achievable. It's so easy to look at our world and think, "Well, there it goes. Nothing I can do. We're totally screwed", but it takes a lot stronger of a person to look at our world and think, "Well, there it goes. I'm going to bring it back".

I encourage you to post your own 12-step program illustrating the things most important to you when it comes to saving the world. Write a note similar to this one and tag twelve people, just as I have done. If twelve of the people I've tagged did that, 144 people would be reached. And if the cycle repeated just twice, then 20,736 people would learn of ways they can contribute!

Defy apathy and start your own 12-step program today!

Much love,
Caroline

My bracelet

Caroline Sumner — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:11:03 GMT

My mother gave me a bracelet as a graduation gift. It is silver and pretty, cold against my skin, and I love it. Nine little circles decorate it. Within each circle is a symbol of one world religion or another - an ohm, a cross, the Star of David - and the fifth circle is a dove with an olive branch. This dove is the central charm, resting comfortably in the middle, directly parallel through my wrist to the clasp.

Imagine that. In the middle of all this religion is peace, and on the other side is something holding them all together.

When I unclasp the bracelet, it falls from my arm and I have to act quickly before it drops to the floor. As soon as I take it off, I feel a little pang of sadness. Now, the little circles of religion are in a line and the dove looks as though it is trying to escape. It wants to fly past the yin-yang and soar over the clasp, away from all these religions.

In a way, my bracelet is our own round world. When it is connected around my left wrist, it is the way religion ought to be. It is equal, beautiful, connected, and holds peace at the center. Off my wrist, my bracelet is as our world is now. Religions are in a line, fighting to establish a pecking order, disregarding peace alltogether. In fact, off my wrist, it seems that peace is not the fifth charm so as to be in the center...it appears that peace is the fifth charm because the first four have overtaken it in their race, and the other four are catching up.

I wear my bracelet every day. I twirl it around my forearm when I am distracted. To me, it is my dream of the world and I am its citizen. Until my dream comes true, I will turn away and close my eyes when I unclasp my bracelet, and I will pray for our own round world to clasp together and have peace at the center of it.

THE FACTS

Caroline Sumner — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:44:22 GMT

THE FACTS
By Caroline Sumner

Who are the people who will change the world?
They are ordinary
They are plain
They would not exist if it were not for people in need

They love long, flowing skirts and pigtails
They love t-shirts made of organic cotton and seven-year-old jeans

They are the Theatre majors
They are the Film majors
They are the Poli Sci majors
They are the World Studies majors
They are the Undeclared students
They are the grad students and the high schoolers

They are the ones with playlists on their iPods entitled "Music to change the world"

They are the ones who just can't shut up about their favorite charity
They are online until 3:00 AM, e-mailing Facebook friends about it
They scream for joy at big donations

They are vegans and vegetarians (or borderline carnivores)
They recycle
They take the stairs
They speak languages their friends have never heard of
They have Peace Corps badges sewn on their purses and backpacks

When they say, "Watch this movie. It'll change your life"
It's because it changed theirs
When they give gifts, they give merchandise from a favorite charity
When they focus on a project, they survive on black coffee for days at a time

They long to visit nations of fear and pain
Because if they are responsible for even one grin, they have accomplished greatness

They are the parents and the children
The brothers and the sisters
The best friends and the confidantes -
Not of other people, but of love

They have tattoos of peace signs and flags of countries that stole their hearts

They worry that they cannot do enough
They have BIG IDEAS
They are centuries-old souls in young and able bodies
They are pretty girls and handsome boys
They have broken hearts

They are terrified of this breathtaking world
And they are the ones who will save it.

Dumb Luck

Caroline Sumner — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:46:35 GMT

How did I get to be so lucky?

I'm typing on a very expensive, brand-new computer that my dad gave to me when I started college. I have a glass of soy milk and a bag of organic cookies next to me. I'm in clean, comfortable pajamas and my hair smells like Sweet Pea from Bath and Body Works since I just got out of my long, hot shower. I live in a safe neighborhood with my mother. My dad, stepmother, stepsisters and brother live only a few streets away. My mom and I have a car to share.

I was born into privilege. I truly was. Though I'm poor by some people's standards, I am wealthy beyond all reckoning to many. I may not be able to afford a bicycle of my own, but I have school within walking distance of my apartment.

I cannot feel truly guilty for my riches because I did not ask for them. I was born into them through no control of my own. And I give back whenever possible. However, when I stop and think about how fortunate I am to have a full belly and a soft bed, I feel sick and angry that so many do not. So many children are hungry and aching and tired and sick, and here I am, relatively healthy and very happy.

It's dumb luck that I am where I am. It's dumb luck that I am here in America, living in safety. I wish I could say otherwise, but I cannot. All I can do at this point is use my dumb luck to help others.

Olumbe lubiibi (death is bad)

Caroline Sumner — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:06:26 GMT

What kind of world do you want? Think anything. It's the same in any language, wherever you go. That's why we're waiting on the world to change...there's no easy way out, but I won't back down. Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. We are all connected. A brother is a brother if there's one thing I know. I got soul, but I'm not a soldier...but I won't back down.We can brave the greatest of storms! We shall heal. All we are saying is GIVE PEACE A CHANCE! Don't let yourself down. Don't let yourself go. You've got to change the world and use this chance to be heard! Tomorrow's coming. What kind of world do you want?