Simple steps to go 'green'

It is easy to get caught in the easy trends when it comes to lifestyle.  Let me just share a few VERY EASY changes that you could make to your lifestyle that would be moving you toward a more eco-friendly resident of the earth.

1.  Get a few old, no longer used t-shirts from the back of your drawers.  Cut them up into pieces about 1 ft. by 1 ft. in size.  Store them in a very accessible spot in your kitchen (maybe in a container on the counter or a drawer...)  Use these in place of paper towels.

2.  On nice days, hang your clothes on the line to dry instead of using the dryer.  There is an amazing, beautiful, enjoyable rhythm that you will find in this simple chore.

3.  When you are done showering, take a moment to wipe down everything.  This will save you from having to use toxic bathroom cleaner.

4.  Carry a travel mug with you at all times for coffee or hot drinks that you may purchase instead of using a foam or paper cup.  Also, get in the habit of filling your re-usable water bottle and carrying it with you so that you don't have to purchase plastic throw away water bottles.

5.  Whenever you can, use containers (preferably glass) with lids to store your leftovers.  It will become rare for you to need either saran wrap or aluminum foil.

6. RECYCLE as much as you can, of course.

That's enough to get started for now.

Contemplation: A Thing of the Past?

It seems to me that as a current culture, perhaps we are losing the art of contemplation.  The average person spends time 'surfing' websites, microwaving meals,  driving through the drive thrus for all kinds of things from coffee to money at the ATM.  We have a constant access to many options of entertainment.  We get into our cars and drive here and there and back again and then have to go out again.  Go, go, go.

I wonder if it has become challenging for us to stop and actually contemplate.

Contemplate:  to look at or view with continued attention, to consider thoroughly, think fully or deeply about.


Most of us are too busy for that.  There doesn't seem to be enough time in our days for this type of endeavor.  Why?

Perhaps this is a question that we need to contemplate.

Perhaps we need to examine ourselves in order to find out where our mind goes as we walk through our days.  What do our thoughts revolve around?

Are we going to find as our children grow up devoid of this type of brainfood, that it creates imbalance and problems?

I don't know the answers, but I do have feelings that lean toward the importance of balance in our mind's activities.  Balance in our attention.  Balance in a lifestyle that creates an environment that cultivates health and vitality and productivity.  And I guess I believe that we, as a culture, are out of balance in this area.

Hmmm?  Think about it.

Awareness

At times MH will ask me at the end of the day, "What did you do today?"  Well, any stay at home mom dreads this question.  It seems like as I look back over the day, there is a string of monotonous, mundane tasks and activities - if you were going to have to speak it.

How do you speak what you've done/experienced during the day?

I listened to the birds in the wee hours of the morning as I sat still with the Lord.   I was in awe of how late little boys can sleep in... and found little laughs in the shouts of horror one of them yelled as the others tried to arouse him.   I made smoothies and noodles and salads and cracked eggs with a 6 year old and instructed him in the art of cracking and beating.

I listened to countless little boy antics - some fun and some mischievous and some that needed instruction.  I picked up a cat from the vet who had a half-inch pokey stick in her eye and listened to her meow impatiently and loudly all the way home.  I watched with a smile daughter #1 get ready for work and struggle with what shoes to wear that would both look nice and FEEL comfortable enough to be on her feet in.

I cleaned and cleaned and did laundry and re-cleaned and the floor is a mess.  I read beautiful blog posts from daughter #1 listening with my heart to her lovely thoughts.  I experienced the rhythms of work and nature as I hung clothes on the line and felt the sun and breeze, feeling happy in the gifts of them all.

I made plans for supper and sent son #1 out for errands.  I hulled decomposing leafs, full of worms, and spread them over the empty flower bed.  I noticed that the wheelbarrow needed air in the tire as I hulled those leaves around.

I felt a new compassion for the poor cat that followed us home from our walk last week and hasn't left.  I have not let anyone feed him or give him any reason to stay.  We've made many attempts at sending him on his way - all to no avail.  So, today I had daughter #2 post him on craigslist and vowed to feed and care for him until we can find him a home - although I'm still committed to NOT letting him in the house.

I noticed the not-too-cold/not-too-hot temperature of this beautiful day and was full of thankfulness to God for His handiwork and beautiful gifts.

I found inspiration in a book, in a word, on the internet, in watching the kids, in feeling the presence of faith in my heart, in meaningful conversation.

I thought fondly of the legacy that I have in my heritage (namely my grandmothers and mom) as I worked at 'recycling' my favorite quilt from Grandma, thinking of the joy that I will have in having this quilt re-worked into something that will be around me and help me to always remember that beautiful legacy.

It is easy to get caught up in the days and lose sight, lose awareness of the absolute beauty in the moments.  It is easy to just reply to that dreaded question, "The same ole same ole."  But it's never the same ole - it's just so difficult to speak into words.