My friend, Sue Scudder, author of “The Voice Across the Veil,” sent this video out today. Please take a few minutes to watch it. Namaste.

TIME Magazine named collaborative consumption one of the top 10 green stories of 2010, calling it “one of the most heartening environmental trends.” This video gives you a quick overview of exactly what collaborative consumption is:

WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS from rachel botsman on Vimeo.

The days of knocking on your neighbor’s door to borrow a cup of sugar may be mostly a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean sharing needs to be out of style. With our modern world and modern technology, borrowing and sharing is taking on a high-tech twist and if you’re not yet using any of these resources, now is a great time to get involved.

Websites that connect people who are interested in sharing, borrowing, trading, and bartering their stuff instead of buying new are on the rise. Collaborative consumption is driven by a few factors: cost (it’s generally cheaper to rent than buy), connecting (sharing is a social activity), and, of course, the environment. If you only need to paint your house every ten years, why waste the earth’s resources (not to mention your own) on a new paint sprayer? Many of us dream of second homes, but is it really necessary to build one? Why not make use of the homes that others already own to take that much-needed time away? By doing so, we’re using and enjoying what already exists rather than creating MORE and we’re helping to support the maintenance of a home that may just be sitting there.

Airbnb: Are you looking for somewhere to stay? Accommodations in more than 8,200 cities in 168 countries are represented at Airbnb, which connects travelers who need a place to crash with residents who have space to offer. Houses and apartments make up the bulk of the selection, but more unusual offerings like yurts and treehouses can also be found.

B-cycle: Bikes are a great (and green) way to get from one place to another, but they can also be inconvenient–what if you only need two wheels for one leg of your journey? B-cycle offers a solution, setting up stations where members can pick up and drop off a bike. The service is currently in Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Louisville, and San Antonio.

Chegg: Most college students are shocked that first semester when the textbook bill comes in. Instead of having to spend hefty sums of money on those extra-heavy books, Chegg allows students to rent their textbooks and even plants a tree every time a book is checked out.

SnapGoods: Need a tent for a camping trip? A set of tools for a home improvement project? A Kindle to see if reading on a tablet really is as good as picking up a book? If you want to try something out, someone near you probably has it–SnapGoods plays matchmaker for the two of you.

SwapBabyGoods.com: Babies are expensive. They also grow fast. An outfit may only get one wear, toys may be outgrown after a short time, and sometimes well-meaning family and friends load you up on something you already have plenty of. One parent’s trash is another parent’s treasure–see what you can swap at this niche site.

VRBO: This is another great site for sharing the wealth! People who own or manage rental properties share their properties in many places around the world. Over 150,000 homes are listed on this site in more than 100 countries worldwide.

These are just a few of the growing number of online resources out there. Start browsing the web and become a collaborative consumer! It’s a win-win for everyone including Mother Earth!

For more information on collaborative consumption, read “What’s Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption,” by Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers.

For my children’s book series, I’ve been researching Native American mythology and prophesies. Over the weekend I came across this thought-provoking video containing a message from the Hopi Elders. I hope it resonates with you as it has with me.

Through coming together in community and collaboration, along with living more consciously and deliberately, our healing and the healing of our planet is possible.

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you!

Namaste.

Earlier this week, I received this video for the second time and realized it’s time to pass it on. What struck me as I watched this again is how the message is linked to what my own inner guidance has been showing me. My focus words for 2011 are BELIEVE and CREATE. These came to me through the vision board workshop I attended recently. BELIEVE in the endless possibilities, in my abilities, and in the value of the writing and work I feel called to do. CREATE what I’ve been dreaming and bring it to life. This video reminds me that everything I’ll need will come to me as I’m ready for the next piece of the puzzle. Whether it’s new ideas, new words, new characters, people to collaborate with, or anything else I’ll need to bring my vision to life this year, all will unfold in right timing. What I need to do is let go of limiting beliefs, ask for guidance, be open, and allow. Louise Hay calls it “following her inner ding.”

If we have the courage to dream and believe in our dreams, if we pay attention to the guidance that comes to us in so many different ways, if we let go of old beliefs and ways of seeing the world that no longer serve us OR our dreams, then our dreams can become our reality. As Louise Hay states, “Our thoughts can make our life.” What are you dreaming? What are you thinking? Are they aligned or are your thoughts preventing your dreams from manifesting? What do you need to do to have the life of your dreams?

Connecting with nature is so important for us and for our planet. I found this lovely video created three years ago. As Albert Camus said, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

Grab a cup of tea or coffee and take a seat. Enjoy the flowers of autumn and the music of Vangelis. Relax and breathe. To make your Sunday even better, put on your shoes and your coat and get out in nature somewhere to experience fall for yourself. Best of all, do some skipping as the young boy does in the video. It feels good to lift our bodies off the ground and lift our spirits! Have a bellisima Sunday!

Today, instead of being in my head with all the do’s and don’ts of living more eco-conscious, I found this video from The Secret Team which really gets to the heart of the matter. In order for our planet and all her inhabitants to be healed, we must first see it and feel it.

Here is the message which accompanied the video: “The Secret Team has created a gift for you. This clip features our beautiful Planet Earth. As you experience this clip you will emit positive forces of energy across Planet Earth that will reach every single living thing on it. You will lift yourself, and as you lift yourself, you lift the entire world.

From The Secret to you, here is Planet Earth – our home.”

Listen with your heart! Listen to your dreams! Listen to your desires! Listen and never give up!

My mentor, Deb Roffe, of Summit Life Coaching, came across this video. As I watched it, I felt my heart expand and my mind soar. May you be equally moved and inspired! Have a bellisima weekend!