A lot is said about living life to the fullest; as far as making the most of our opportunities, we are quite the entitled generation. We know that we are the captain of our ship, the director of our play, the masters of our destiny. But super confidence in our own infinite potential can only be a positive sentiment, by which to live out our lives, when it is balanced with the question of considering the consequences of our every action.

Sound heavy? It needn't be. Considering the consequences of your actions could be an inbuilt mechanism for you, or perhaps it is something you consider most of the time; whatever the case, taking the time to consider the larger direct and indirect outcomes of your choices is one way to ensure you are being the best person you can be. Achievements in life are not always about being able to tick an item off of your person to-do list for life, some of the greatest achievements can come from developing your emotional self and creating a deep sense of how it is you present to the world.


Images by martapigs and l0ckergn0me.

It is difficult to measure all of the consequence of our actions but one way to attempt this is by consciously asking ourself, "Can my saying/doing this negatively impact anyone else?".

On top of ensuring we do not negatively impact people, we can also consciously look out for opportunities to do good, to any extent, from assisting a colleague, to picking up discarded litter in the street, to offering our time on a charitable project.

Courtesy & Manners;
Start small, keep your manners in check, encourage courtesy and make it common again. Think about this in every part of your day, here are a few places to start:

Consider your actions towards loved ones and strangers alike: in your home, work place, in the street, on the bus, at your coffee shop, on your lunch break, at the grocery store.

Mind your manners: please, thank you, excuse me. Always.

Be aware that we do not all think the same way and as such behaviour that is acceptable to one person, may not be acceptable to you; be sensitive to this. For example, if a tourist is blocking the walking side of the escalators, politely ask them to move over, don't charge at them and knock them aside.

Do not feel that you are more entitled than any other person you encounter. Do not aid stereotypes by strutting by a person in need when you're on your way to your office job in your power suit, for example. Help where & when you can.

Think before you tweet. Tweeting can be impulsive, are you ridiculing someone or being negative? Is this public forum the best and most constructive outlet for your words?


Consume with Social-Consciousness;
Being a good person & making smart behavioural choices need not be limited to your direct actions towards those in what you say or do. Consider the choices you make when you shop. When we do shop, our purchases will have effect, however indirectly you see it to be: on the people involved in the manufacture of the product as well as our environment in your eventual decision of how to discard the product.

In the current climate, one where we are well versed on climate change and ethical injustices occurring in the manufacture of products; we, as consumers, and as intelligent people, should not turn off our social consciousness every time we take a trip to the shops.

We are fortunate that because climate change and social justice is on the agenda, more businesses are helping us out by conducting their businesses ethically. They are giving us options. They are granting us the ability to make better choices. Consumerism no longer needs to be synonymous with waste and unethical behaviour. This is a fabulous thing, because shoes are pretty & designers are continually exciting us with their innovation - living ethically is not about sacrificing this part of our life, it's about making smarter choices: quality, not quantity.

Look at Louise Galvin, her hair care products are reasonably priced, free of the chemicals usually found in similar products and manufactured in a way that is entirely carbon neutral.

The Body Shop prides themselves on supporting community trade, defending human rights, protecting the planet and are against animal testing - all that on top of the fact that they provide high quality beauty products. Read more on The Body Shop's values.

"If business comes with no moral sympathy or honourable code of behaviours, then God help us all." Dame Anita Roddick. Human Rights Activist. Founder of The Body Shop (Source: The Body Shop online)

People Tree fashion offer quality fair trade women's and men's fashion. Click here to check out there stuff online.

How about some seriously fabulous vegan shoes? It's 2009 ladies, and shoes do not need to be made out of leather to offer comfortable, long lasting quality. Two great eco-friendly shoe retailers that are proving ethical fashion need not be pricey & unattractive are Beyond Skin and Bourgeouis Boheme. Check them out, what do you think??


Images by treslola, jovike and venturout.

Some considerations for the next time you hit the shops:

Is it a quality piece that will live in your wardrobe for years and years or will it be tossed aside and see itself in landfill come next season?

Has that lipstick come from a company that tests products on animals?

Have those tights been produced in a factory that subject workers to poor working conditions as a way to achieve cheap manufacture costs?

Is that coffee you're drinking ethically sourced from fair trade farmers?

Is your meat and dairy produce sourced from free range farms?

Take your reusable bag! These little beauties don't just come in handy for doing your weekly grocery shop, save on wasted plastic when buying your jeans & shoes too! Check out AlphabetBags for a stylish & eco-friendly carrier bag option.

Being ethical and conscious about your shopping does not need to be boring or difficult; there is nothing negative about educating yourself and making the choices you know to be right - share your knowledge with your friends - shop local, buy fair trade, use animal-cruelty free, choose ethically manufactured products, buy fresh product with little or no waste packaging, buy vintage, opshop!

It is also difficult to change the way our minds make consumer choices - huge, sudden change can often prove unsustainable. Instead, take it step by step and it, educate yourself, become more aware. Making the ethical choice will soon become second nature, as you quickly consider where the product has come from and how it was manufactured - it's all about small changes, ladies! Check out this article by Green My Style, Can we find eco on Oxford St?

Being Fabulously Successful;
It won't happen if you slay people along the way, it won't happen if you forget to consider that despite your status as leading lady in this show that is your life, you still need the rest of the cast, they're going to see you make this thing happen and they're going to be there at the wrap party.


Image by .laurie., taminator

Awareness is a gift you can grant yourself and it is an infinitely giving gift that will allow you to see ways to greater grow into the type of balanced person you need to be in order to achieve unfathomable personal success. Be it in your career, family life, with friends, travel; you need to achieve balance as success that is gained by negotiating what is best for yourself by sacrificing the needs and desires of others is success that will be shallow and short-lived.

Chase what excites but give your mate a leg up on the way.

Rise to the top, but don't push away the ladder that helped you get there.

Rallying around the concept of super confidence and self love is wondrous, but achieving balance and love of others as well as yourself is even greater.

Measure your good-will and success on your ability to express kindness to those you do not know and without want for anything in return; it is in these virtuous actions, to extend courtesy and kindness without expectation of return of favour, that we can truly assess our strength of character.

Live wondrously, largely, outrageously - but above all, live ethically - acting with love, consideration and balance is something we can all live out, if we choose to.


Big stuff or small stuff - when have you found yourself facing a difficult choice? Perhaps an opportunity that could have been a sure fire get-ahead for you, but at the expense of another? What did you do?