Things jessiepayo likes Explore more popular stuff on Tumblr →

In the past, I made up that I wasnt some zillion selling album artist…

That I could just get away with surfing, and doing yoga…

That whatever I said didnt matter, no one listened anyways..

That because I wasnt involved in music outreach programs like Music Cares, or ASCAP, or something bigger and better, well then, what did it matter? 

But really, it matters. 

And I am realizing that now. 

I feel like I want to be the sounding board, the middle man, for all the people that feel this way…

“How can little old me really make a difference in changing the direction of the future..”

What can I do? You do? We do?

The answer is simple: Anything, really…

I recently did a photo shoot for my friends at Prana.

I drove up to Long Beach, to the studio where everything was being shot at..

I had gone through 2 of my 1 liter sigg bottles that I carry with me at all times…

I asked if they had a water cooler, where i could refill my bottle.

The reply was, “We have bottled water…”

I said, “That is very kind of you, but I prefer to use my reusable water bottle..is tap water cool to drink?”

“We have recyclying, if thats what you are concerned about”.

“I have a perfectly good, no impact, multi-million use, reusable water carrying vessel!” I thought. 

In the end.. I filled up on tap water. Most of it is filtered pretty good anyhow..besides, the tap water cant have more crap in it than what is already in the oceans in which I surf…Or can it?

But, this scenario made me think.

As much as I have caught on..there are so many people that havent. 

And the introduction to this new way of life, is easier than we know. 

And yea, we might not even see the results in our lifetime, but they will make a lasting impact for years to come. 

Taking action, creating an example to lead and teach by, is just the beginning…

I thought to myself, I want to send a proposal to that photography studio: 

-I’ll send a box of Sigg Bottles, if they ditch the plastic bottles and get a water cooler. 

Easy, right?

It’s even easier. Take your pick: 

-Use a reusable water bottle, (Ones that are BPA free of course!)

-Bring your own bags to the market

-Join a CSA (Community Sustained Agriculture) - i just joined one and am splitting it with 2 other people and its $11 bucks a week for some amazing local produce. Since all of us travel, we split it. That way if someone is out of town, we can still keep it going!

-Start a compost pile -I have a small backyard and live in a home, party of 1, and i have a worm composting system that was about 30 bucks from my local communty center! It makes amazing worm tea (fertilizer) for all my plants and compost soil!

-Ride a bike for errands or outings less than a mile (or more, if you are adventurous and awesome) from your home. Coffee, weekend breakfast, surf check, post office, party down the street, etc…My friend Katie, rides her bike so much, her car battery died…She is that bad ass!

- Start a garden! It only takes 1 sq foot or some awsome potted plants to get it going :) -You can have basic greens and herbs in a matter of weeks!

-Pick up trash- I pick up so much trash at the beach. I go out of my way to paddle outside the line up, and fetch floating plastic bags more than once of week. Its pretty sad. Not only is trash in our waterways and our beaches, its also on the streets, in the parking lot, on the side of the road, etc…Pick it up. And then go wash your hands. You will survive…

So what can you do? 

Anything, really. 

The options are endless. 

So what are you up to? What are your ideas? Do share? We can all learn from you! 

-Tristan