What Does It Really Mean, “Being Green”?
Confused about that ubiquitous eco-buzzword? Here’s what I think.
Being green is about being aware. Understanding that there may be other ways of doing things is the first step in building an eco-consciousness. When you understand that you have options (such as using dishtowels instead of paper towels), you have taken the first step towards a greener mindset – even if you don’t immediately change your behavior.
Being green is about being conscious. With three kids and a full-time job, I know about living on autopilot. For instance, even after I set out my new basket of dishtowels (see previous post…) right in front of the paper towel roll, I still find myself reaching right over the basket and grabbing a paper towel. It’s a special kind of crazy.
Don’t live your life unconsciously. Pay attention to what you are doing. Even if you just laugh at yourself for forgetting something again, the more you acknowledge it, the more you are retraining yourself to be more present the next time.
Being green is about attitude. Yes, sometimes you will have to make the uncomfortable choice to do something that may take slightly more time or effort than you are used you. But the attitude adjustment comes in knowing that the little bit of pain will yield a lot of gain: Setting a better example for your kids, living your life more consciously and feeling like you are a part of something good. I’m talking unicorns and rainbows good. Seriously.
Being green is about teaching kids to care. Teaching kids that there is more to life than their egocentric Pokémon/Barbie/Tech Deck world is one of the toughest messages to get across.
Seeing you take actions to care for something that can benefit all people and even the whole world will resonate deeply with them.
Each baby step for the planet matters, and, at the end of the day, will result not necessarily in you saving the world singlehandedly, but in the development of a new, more conscious, more caring state of mind.
What’s important is that we celebrate the victories, even the small ones, and give ourselves a break when we fall short.
Also, I am not obsessed with paper towels.
I love seeing all the new reuseable bags available in stores. Whenever I mention that at a gathering of people someone always says “but I have to remember to take them into the store.” Great that you have intention to use them. If you want to make that intention a reality, be willing to make yourself go back out to the car to get them. Your groceries will wait, you’ll get a bit of extra exercise and you will set the path for remembering them the next time. If you forget, but only have 1 or 2 items, tell the clerk that you don’t need a bag. You can carry those out and no one thinks you are stealing, if they do, you’ll have a receipt to show them.
Keep up the good work people. Thanks Alice for getting us thinking.