Is This The End Of The Journey?

It’s finally over! I have accomplished my DOT project successfully. But what’s the prize? I will not receive a trophy or a golden medal. Maybe I don’t see it now but it made a HUGE impact. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this project not only helps me but it helps the entire world.

During my DOT project, I recorded data on an Excel sheet every day for 28 days. This was an easy step and it was super useful at the end. A bunch of numbers became results. The results determine how much of an impact I made. At the end of this “remarkable” project, I saved 8 lbs of beef, 8 lbs of chicken, 2 lbs of pork and 1 lb of turkey.

The numbers seem low but this is just the start. With the help of my stupendous teacher Ms. Riggen, I calculated the number of pounds I would save if I continue this project. The results are in and in one year I would save:

• 108 lbs of beef
• 98 lbs of chicken/poultry
• 21 lbs of pork
• 11 lbs of turkey

I’m proud to say this. The numbers aren’t the highest but it makes me feel good. I was able to complete my DOT project (check!) but it also made me realize that making a change matters.

I know that I’m done but where do I go from here? Do I go back to my old habit of eating meat or do I make this change permanent? Well, the answer is that I’m sticking with my DOT project. And maybe I will do another project or two. I was inspired by a couple of my classmates (Ivanna Ramazzini and Elmer Sorto) and I want to try their projects. For example, I’m thinking to take this to the next level and go vegan. Also, I want to take shorter showers.

Many people have a hard time saying goodbye. But not in my case. I will take this experience as a reminder that I can and will make changes. There is so much that I want to do and not a lot of time. So why not start now?

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” Joshua J. Marine