Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/569627
Yearsago,IreadinThe New York Times that the average American adult is the target of some 3,500 commer- cial ads in a single day. How out- rageous is that? Sure, we live in a highly com- mercialized society, but 3,500 ads? In a single day? I figured that had to be a gross exagger- ation. I decided to conduct my own test. I would count the ads I heard or saw in my typical day. I knew it wouldn't come anywhere close to 3,500. The next morning the radio alarm sounded and before I could even open my eyes, I needed to put two hash marks on my score pad. So prolific were the ads on television I could barely keep an accu- rate count and get ready at the same time. Of course I had to count every message, banner, business placard, real es- tate sign, billboard, li- cense plate frame, bum- per sticker, commercial ve- hicle and bus I saw on the way to work, all the while being careful not to miss any radio ads. Good thing I wasn't driving. Reading the newspa- per boosted my count sig- nificantly as did flipping through a few magazines. Have you ever counted the ads in a typical women's magazine? Try it some- time. Logging onto the In- ternet shot my count through the roof. The mail arrived at 10 a.m., and that's when I surren- dered. Not only was it im- possible to get anything done while counting the commercial influences on my fairly low-key, ho-hum kind of a day, I couldn't keep up with the pace. It was a mind-boggling ex- ercise. Thirty-five hundred ads per adult per day? Easy! In fact, I'll bet that in reality it's a lot more than that. I recalled that day re- cently when I got an email message from Barbara, one of my loyal readers: "How can I overcome the feeling of wanting some- thing I just can't have, like a new house or a car? I of- ten feel discouraged and angry at myself, instead of feeling joy and being grateful for what I have." Before I reached the last word of her note, I was identifying with her. I know that feeling — I am so familiar with wanting and being constantly dis- satisfied. The answer and anti- dote to that nagging feel- ing of dissatisfaction is to find contentment. But how can we do that? I've dis- covered the truth in these eight little words: Want what I have; buy what I need. Sounds simple enough, but achieving that can be a challenge. Here's my ad- vice to Barbara, and all others who have become over-commercialized to the point of being con- stantly dissatisfied: ATTITUDE. Wait. Don't leave me now. I know this sounds sim- plistic, but it's the truth: You have complete con- trol over your thoughts. You can choose to think about what you don't have, or be grateful for what you do have. Write down the top 10 things for which you are grate- ful. Be honest, thought- ful. Then choose to think on those things. Deter- mine to love your home. Be kind to it. Clean it, adore it, make it a place where you feel ac- cepted for who you are. Be grateful that you even have a home! INSULATE. When with genuine gratitude you choose to want what you have, you build a layer of insulation around your life that will protect you from the harshness of over-com- mercialization. Reading the fine print, analyzing what clearly is too-good- to-be-true and questioning outrageous commercial messages are also good ways to increase that pro- tective layer of insulation that will allow you to find contentment. ISOLATE. If you are easily dissatisfied or prone to impulsive behaviors, identify your weak spots and then isolate yourself from them. Turn off the television. Skip past the magazine ads. Ban the use of vending machines. Iso- late yourself from mind- less shopping. Throw mail- order catalogs in the re- cycling unopened. Put distance between you and places you are most likely to slip back into your old ways of spending beyond your means. Gratitude is the secret to contentment — that wonderful serene place where we find satisfaction and joy in wanting what we have. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate. com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Want what you have; buy what you need Mary Hunt Caltrans and the Cali- fornia Department of Fish and Wildlife remind mo- torists to remain alert for wildlife near roadways during Watch Out for Wildlife Week, which runs Sept. 14-20. "Motorists need to be alert when traveling through wildlife areas," said Caltrans Director Mal- colm Dougherty. "This will protect the public and ani- mals, while helping reduce tragedies." Defenders of Wildlife, a national nonprofit orga- nization dedicated to pro- tecting native species and their natural communi- ties, reports more than 200 people are killed nationally in collisions with deer, elk and other large mammals each year and estimates 1.5 million animals are hit each year. The Watch Out for Wild- life campaign is supported by the Road Ecology Cen- ter at the University of Cal- ifornia, Davis. "Drivers may see more animals crossing roads and highways this year, as they need to travel farther than usual to find adequate food and water," said Marc Ken- yon, CDFW's Human- Wildlife Conflict man- ager. "This is just one of many reasons to give driving our complete attention when we're on the road. Only drivers can prevent colli- sions with animals, by be- ing careful and paying at- tention." Tipsformotorists Be especially alert when driving in areas fre- quented by wildlife, and reduce your speed so you can react safely. Pay particular atten- tion when driving during the morning and evening, as wildlife are most active during these times. If you see an animal cross the road, know that another may be following. Don't litter. The odors may entice animals to ven- ture near roadways. CALTRANS Watch out for wildlife starting Monday Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and the Friends of Whiskeytown invite visitors to join us for the 5th annual Harvest Festival 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at the park's Tower House His- toric District. This fun and family- friendly event will feature apple tasting, an apple- themed bake-off contest, hand-operated apple press demonstration, games and gold panning for all ages and tours of the historic Camden House and or- chards. Visitors attending this event will enjoy the as- sistance of the California State University, Chico vol- unteers. Several varieties of ap- ples will be available for tasting, many of which are heirloom cultivars in the historic district, planted in the mid and late 19th century by local pioneers. These cultivars were grown organically and possess unique character- istics that are not found in modern apple varieties. The bake-off will be judged by a panel of park staff and special guests. Prizes will be awarded to those with the best tasting creations. Include the recipe for your dish, as it will be compiled into a harvest- themed cookbook featur- ing historic Whiskeytown recipes from the journals of early settlers. Visitors can park fee- free in the Tower House Historic District parking lots, west of the Whis- keytown visitor center on State Route 299W. Follow the footpath to the Camden House where the festivities will be held. For more information, call Jeffrey Gerbic at 242- 3421. For more informa- tion about Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, call or stop by the visitor center, or visit www.nps. gov/whis. WHISKEYTOWN Celebrate fall with Harvest Festival The Big Walk, a fund- raiser for Poor And The Homeless, or PATH, is scheduled to be held Sat- urday, Sept. 19. Registration for the walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the former Hal's Eat 'm Up at Main and Willow streets. The funds raised will support the PATH Winter Shelter. It is estimated that it will cost around $50,000 this year to operate the shelter from Nov. 1 to April 30. With an average of 40 people per night, this translates to $7 per night per person. This last season PATH served 298 people, 23 were children and 25 were vet- erans. It's not too late too sign up for The Big Walk. A team can be one to 10 or more team members. There are 32 teams regis- tered. If you'd like to form a team, call Allene Dering at 200-4847. If you belong to a nonprofit organization, you can ask for 40 percent of what you raise back for your organization. Come join in the fun and stay for Recovery Happens at noon at River Park. The Big Walk set for Sept. 19 COURTESYPHOTO Chris Shults holds an arrow pointing to a sign promoting The Big Walk, a fundraiser for PATH's Winter Shelter for the homeless. PATH SACRAMENTO TheBureau of Reclamation Thursday released the Final Envi- ronmental Impact State- ment for the Central Val- ley Project Municipal and Industrial Water Shortage Policy. The policy would be used by reclamation to de- fine water shortage terms and conditions for appli- cable CVP water service contractors, as appropri- ate; determine the quan- tity of water made avail- able to CVP water service contractors to protect public health and safety during severe or continu- ing drought; provide in- formation to CVP water service contractors for their use in water supply planning and develop- ment of drought contin- gency plans. Reclamation will wait 30 days after the Environ- mental Protection Agency posts the Notice of Avail- ability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register be- fore making a decision on the proposed action. Recla- mation will then complete a Record of Decision that will describe the action to be implemented, discuss- ing all factors leading to the decision. The Final EIS is avail- able at http://www.usbr. gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projde- tails.cfm?Project_ID=1717. 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