New Beginnings

This month’s Unity Family Matters theme “Living Green” has me thinking about ways to make small do-able changes in my own life. I think I’ve always considered myself environmentally-interested, but it wasn’t until I had a baby that I really put much thought into the future of our planet. There’s something about those all-trusting little eyes looking up at you in wonder that makes you want to preserve and protect the world that they will inherit.
 
In Unity, we talk a lot about acceptance. We accept others the way they are. We accept and appreciate the challenges in our lives as opportunities to learn and grow. Perhaps we talk the most about accepting ourselves. But I am certain there are things in this world that we should not accept. I do not accept that global warming is inevitable. I do not accept that there is no work-able solution to our oil dependent lifestyle in America. And most of all, I do not accept that I alone can’t make a difference. I know that every time I choose to recycle, I spend my money on products with less packaging, I buy organic or I support local food growers that I am making a difference. It may be a tiny, seemingly inconsequential difference. But when those tiny eyes are staring up at me, I know that I will help in every way I can.
 
Here are a list of small changes I’ve made recently in my life. I encourage you to find what works for you and try something new each week to live a little greener.
 
1. Reusable bags. Always. I hang them on the back door knob, keep them on the passenger seat, remind my husband to use them. It actually becomes a habit!

2. Turn off the lights. It seems so obvious, but I used to be a big offender, finding comfort in a house with all the lights blazing. Now I find comfort in flipping off the switch as I leave the room.

3. Green dry cleaning. It took me a matter of a few seconds to Google search and find a local environmentally-friendly dry cleaner (Hangers here in Kansas City). Do some research about the chemicals in traditional dry cleaning and you’ll be ready to make the change too. And guess what? It doesn’t cost any more. Brilliant!

4. Thrift store clothes. I wish I had the budget to buy my 1-year-old Charlie only organic cotton clothing, but let’s get realistic. My compromise is to do almost all of his shopping (and a lot of mine lately) at Thrift Stores. It feels good to walk out with a sack of clothes that won’t be headed for the landfill or shipped to a dump half way around the world. And if you haven’t been in a Thrift Store lately, you won’t believe all the great stuff you can find. Plus, there’s the added bonus that the money you’re spending is going to a good cause.

5. Go Organic. Supporting organic farming practices by buying organic food is a double-whammie. First, you’re helping the planet because the stuff is grown without all those scary pesticides and chemicals. Then you’re helping yourself by treating your body like the temple that it is and not filling it with those scary pesticides and chemicals. My family teamed up with our neighbors to start a shared garden. Because I don’t have much of a green thumb, we were lucky to find a guy with an organic gardening business (Produce Partners). He planted and tends our garden every week. I can’t wait till we start reaping the rewards this summer! Now, an organic garden may not be in the cards for everyone, but from all I’ve read, if you want to go organic, start small. Experts say you get the most bang for your buck buying organic dairy. If you’re only going to make one change at the grocery store, that’s where to start.