Green Living
Going
green is included in just about everything these days. There is green
food, green clothing, green homes, green energy, green gadgets, and just
about anything in existence being classified as green. What this means
is that the products are sustainable and make a small imprint on the
earth. For example, you might use less oil based products and more plant
products because it is sustainable and healthier for humans. This is a
great trend that has caught on because of the growth in high educational
attainment and in the recent trend of huge price increases in poor
quality commodities. Additionally, the recent gas spike, alone, helped a
ton of people decide to go green.
The trend is heavily product
focused. You need the right green food because you will live longer and
be healthier. You need some hemp fabric because it is so much better for
your skin. The list goes on and on. It is great that we have green
products, but you can get lost in all the details. We need to remember
that being green is more than just buying the right things. It is a way
of life that brings solidarity and harmony to one's life and society.
All Living Things Connected
Can
you see the happiness of a child compared to that of an adult? How can
you feel the joy of a baby or a puppy? The joy of each living thing
comes from being connected in a spiritual way. It doesn't always make
sense. For example, babies and children have little control over their
surroundings and yet they are so happy. What makes sense is that we are
learning through our culture that happiness comes from a certain way of
life. We might call it the good life. It usually has something to do
with a house, an education, a nice car, and family vacations.
Fortunately, there are true green enthusiasts that understand connection to the earth in a different way. In the movie,
Into the Wild
the main character says that life was the most exciting when he was
penniless. This is a true story of a man who gave up all his possessions
and burned his money on a quest to connect with God.
Native
Americans have long understood the relationship between connectedness to
earth and joy in life. The earth gives to each of us and in return we
should give back. Many cultures believe that God rewards Good for Good
and Evil for Evil. You do something good and it comes back to
you. Hence, do a lot of good things to and for people.
How Does Green Living Connect Us?
First
and foremost green living gets you to think about how we all interact
in society. It is more altruistic because you main focus is not
maximizing every dollar. You focus changes from consuming as much as
possible to consuming what you need responsibly and giving of
yourself. Many people in this trend will say that one day it just hit
them that the only thing they will leave on the earth when they pass on
is their legacy. And, how do you leave a legacy? You need to connect
with people and make a difference to those around you. You're not going
to do that sipping cokes, and watching 35 hours of television a week.
Living Simple and Green
It
all starts with little changes. One good thing to do is to sit down and
make a list of all the items your regularly purchase and put a w (want)
or n (need) by the item. If you are truly honest, the needs are not
really all that high. Many of us are struggling because of our wants
without realizing it. It's still fine to plan for wants and to have
them. The important thing is where your focus lies. Does your focus help
you connect (happiness) or disconnect (unhappiness)? At some point,
many in the green movement will actually feel a sense of relief from not
purchasing items. There is that rush and good feeling from shopping
that a lot of people get. However, the more connected you feel, the less
your desire will be for shopping. And, in fact, many will eventually
feel a sense of true peace without longing for any one thing. Some
people in the green movement actually feel sorry for these obsessive
materialists. They don't do it mockingly, but sincerely want everyone
around them to feel the same connectedness.
Some Green Steps
The
first thing for many of us is that we start to recycle things. We find a
certain joy in knowing that we are being good stewards of what we
have. Then, the big jump might come from purchasing a green car or a
green wardrobe. Some of us might just think it's a cool thing to do.
The
biggest step, perhaps, is when you start to simplify your life. It's
different for everyone. You might want to drink out of one cup instead
of using several every day. You may go through your home and eliminate
items not being used. In fact, you may start finding joy in getting rid
of things because you realize that the less stuff you have the more
easily you can be connected. You begin to feel a sense of freedom in
spirit that goes beyond the norm. Your style becomes minimalist and
purchases are based on holistic ideals that increase connectiveness. You
will no longer crave, but will instead find intense joy in just being
alive. How do you find that joy?
Know Thyself
Some
spiritual teachers believe that the greatest knowledge of happiness is
to know thyself. As William Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be
true". How can you be true to yourself unless you know who you are? This
is a hard question, but on the face of it, there are some certain
things I am sure of. I can connect with living things. I can connect
with people much better in person than through television. I can connect
to natural products much better than man made products. The concept of
knowing me comes through serving others.
Consumerism and
materialism tend to drive much of our culture. The focus, for many, is
on self. This inward focus blinds the true self. In some cases, self
concept is stripped away and the void is filled with countless hours of
television, food, and shopping. The bigger the void the stronger the
feeling of getting more grows because people unconsciously think that
the void can be filled with things. It is logical because that is what
the culture has taught them from birth. Corporations spend billions of
dollars reinforcing the idea that things will make us happy and defining
our needs for us. Many of us erroneously believe that we are immune to
all the clever advertising.
Wouldn't it make more sense that we
determine our own needs? It is vital that we listen to our own
hearts. Don't ignore the little voice inside you! Pay attention to it,
follow it, and the voice will get louder. In time, you will become more
connected.
We haven't focused much on product here, but going
green is about a lot more than buying the most fuel efficient car,
wearing bamboo clothing, or eating organic foods. Green living is
ultimately about solidarity and inner peace.
For further information about green living, please visit Solar Home or another favorite site called Green Energy
All of our lifestyle aspects define or contradict green living,
and environmental attitudes all resume to personal choices most of the
time. People have grown used to high-comfort levels and good life
standards, and they consider that by switching to green living
alternatives, they will experience a drawback or decrease of everything
they value in terms of personal coziness.
