Live Local

Whereas I’m a proponent of Thinking Globally, I am also always aware of and trying to be mindful of what is happening close to home (Where the Heart is!) We need, I believe, to be considering the implications and ramifications of the actions we take, not just personally, but as each ultimately affects the world we live in. And a great deal of what influences the directions this planet is being carried, happens close at hand. We live in a culture that has decentralized to a great degree, even as it has become mired in an insular and isolating prevailing mindset.

Of course, many factors have brought us to where we are just Now, and most of them are outside the topic of this article. I believe there is a desperate need to connect to a community, to be part of something that identifies us with home and local area, even as we realize that we are citizens of and responsible for a wider world as well. In a nutshell, we need to think globally even while we live, and act, locally.

Supporting businesses and institutions within our own community and region is a big part of this. Shopping small businesses that are in your locale is, of course, one of the best ways to lend this support. Not only does it provide for the livelihood of the business owner and employees, but it stimulates the local economy,  providing monies for schools, libraries, road and beautification projects, etc. The list of benefits derived for a community by the simple act of shopping close to home is impressive.

I was recently reading a blog post  that emphasized some of the things we can all do to help support businesses in our neighborhood, town or region— without necessarily even spending money. With the holidays approaching, and in that spirit of giving and helping that seems magnified during this part of the year, I wanted to pass some of these ideas along 

Find the original Article. 5 Extra Ways to Support Small Businesses (That Don’t Cost a Dime!), here!