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At least once, and as many as three times, every year, Friday falls on the 13th day of the month. If that makes you a bit nervous, you might have a case of paraskevidekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th.
You could stay indoors all day, hoping you don't slip in the shower or start a fire with a forgotten tea kettle, or you could take matters into your own hands. Instead of cowering in fear, fight it by doing something that encourages optimism.
Here Are 13 Ways to Fight Fear Today:
1. Celebrate a Meat Free Friday
There is no better way to dramatically reduce your carbon footprint than removing meat from your diet. Going completely vegetarian or vegan will have the greatest impact, but even becoming a weekday vegetarian yields significant results. If you start today you can go forth confident that you are contributing to a cleaner future.
2. Debunk a Myth
Climate change is a myth. Nuclear power is carbon free. Vegans can't get enough protein. These are eco-myths you've certainly heard before. Fight ignorance, the root of fear, today by debunking these "dubious truths."
3. Get Outside
I know, it's scary out there. Depending on where you live it might be raining and a little cold too. Still, get up from the desk and take a walk outside. Sing in the rain and if you find a tree, feel free to stretch out your arms...
4. Hug a Tree
It may sound silly, but there are many, many, reasons to hug a tree. If you walk up to a big arboreal friend and wrap your arms around the trunk, all of your Friday the 13th fears will melt away. I promise.
5. Embrace 350
Bill McKibben's 350.org campaigned hard to raise awareness of climate issues on climate action day. Though that day of action has passed, you can still join the cause by embracing the number: 350 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere, what scientists believe is the safe upper limit. The best part about joining the fight for 350 is that you won't be alone.
6. Apply for a Green Job
The job market is not great right now, but applying for a job is sure act of optimism. Applying for a green job, one that will be fulfilling for you and good for the planet, is even better. Find an ad, revise your resume, attach it to the cover letter, and hope for the best.
7. Get Inspired by Youth
Young people around the country are doing some incredible things to help the planet. This, more than anything else, is a reason for hope. As they grow, their impact will scale with them. Take a lesson and support their projects today.
8. Help Kids Go Green at School
Speaking of kids, they are probably at school and schools are not the greenest places around. There are a lot of ways you can help change that and, in the process, help a future generation learn how to care for the environment.
9. Look to the Stars with Your Feet on Earth
NASA scientists believe there is water on the moon. A rich clown tries to help from the space station. UFOs come to take us to a new pristine planet. Few things inspire the human imagination like looking to the stars. Imagining a better world is a great thing, but it's important to remember that the one we're standing on will likely be the only one we get.
10. Find a Green Hero
Fortunately, there a lot of people here working to make the world a better place. From the great green heroes to today's most innovative change makers, these people's inspiring stories will brighten even the dreariest of days.
11. Complete a Quick Green Deed
Once inspired by people working to make the world a better place, it's time to do some good of your own. You don't have to write a book or launch a company to do it, either. Whether you have 10 minutes, or only five minutes, there a dozens of quick green deeds that have a big impact.
12. Join a Community
Friday the 13th is a lonely day if you spend it by yourself. Thanks to technology and social networking it's easy to get involved with a community even if you stay at home. Whether your looking for ways to change the world from your bedroom, or want to go green in the community, working with others is a great way to break the paraskevidekatria-induced doldrums.
13. Spread the Word
While you're connecting with people, take a second to spread the word to others. Hop on Twitter, open Facebook, or pick up the phone, to let people know what you are doing.
Friday the 13th gets a bad rap. There are a lot of scary things lurking out there, but their powers are no more potent today than on any other. We can lock ourselves inside and bite our nails until midnight, or we can step out the door and doing something to make the future look more hopeful. Doing the later is easy. Tomorrow is Saturday, after all.
Read more about taking action:
There's Still Time to Speak Out Against Natural Gas Drilling in New York
Deliver a Green Knockout Punch: How Rocky Balboa Inspires Us to Win
Vote for the Best Agent of Change in the BBC World Challenge '09
V is for Vegan: Natalie Portman Has Joined the Fight, How About You?
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