Live More Sustainably - It's Easier Than You Think for Every Generation!
In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to him and explained,
"We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."
He was right, that generation didn't have the green thing in its day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day. In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.
But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.
Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts - wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
But that old lady is right; they didn't have the green thing back in her day.
Back then, they had one TV or radio, in the house - not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana . In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; they didn't have the green thing back then.
They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But they didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service.
They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances.
And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
Let's Work Through Your Day.....
- Turn on the light using an eco-friendly bulb
- Use tea of coffee from a fair trade producer
- Boil the jug with just the water you need
- Take a shower rather than a bath
- Avoid "fast fashion" - invest in clothes that will last
- Walk, catch the bus, car pool or ride to work
- Heat only the rooms you use
- Wear more warm clothing - layering is ideal
- Have a permanent drink bottle that you can fill up at home
- Have coffee in a cup that you can wash and not thrown away - for takeaways provide your own cup
- Wrap rubbish in newspaper - no need for plastic bags
- Make sure the kids walk, ride to school - support or start a walking school bus
- Get a good lunchbox so you don't need plastic wrap
- Shop supporting local businesses and farmer's markets
- Give away magazines and books to someone who will appreciate them
- Buy meat from the butcher's section so it is not packaged in a polystyrene tray
- Same goes for fruit and veges - fresh is best
- Better still buy from your local small business or farmer's market
- Change your garden so you are growing more of your own food
- Buy only what you need - use what you have
- Cook only enough food so that it is all consumed
- Have a worm farm - feed them your compostable waste
- Keep a bag handy in case you need to carry something when you are out
- Bundle your errands so you make good use of your time and your car journey
- Support local musicians and performers
- Buy energy efficient appliances
- Turn off appliances at the wall when not in use
- Reduce the brightness of your TV setting
- Get involved in your local community and environment groups
Thanks to Suzanne Kendrick from Grey Lynn Transition Community 2030. To find out more go to: www.greylynn2030.co.nz.
Clear Your Clutter!
Have you ever walked into a room and immediately sensed that the atmosphere is negative & uninviting? By contrast, another place gave you a feeling of peace, joy & wellbeing for no apparent reason. The differences between the rooms that feel great & the ones that seem depressing can be explained, in part, by the fact that some environments are more beautiful or physically inviting than others. This also relates to the energy as some environments exude an energy that is nurturing while others can deplete you & even cause you to feel depressed, irritated or angry.
You have the ability to sense energy. When you enter a space you react to the style of furnishings & various colours & textures but you also perceive the energy around you. Clearing your environment offers a simple a highly effective way to bring in positive energy and make you feel good. Letting go of our old energy will give you a lift anytime you do it, but there are a number of instances when it's especially helpful - even necessary.
- Before building or moving into a new home
- After an unhappy event, such as an argument or an accident in the home
- After an illness, divorce or death
- To celebrate a great event such as the arrival of a new baby
- To celebrate a passage such as a graduation or marriage
- Before a party or family gathering
- Anytime you need to shift old energy from your surroundings.
In clearing out the old energy you make room for the new to enter. You can bring balance & harmony to the world around you.