Today is the Epiphany and by now many of us have already forsaken our New Year's Resolutions. So here am I talking about giving you a new one.
Several people take on a significant resolution each year and the more involved or complex that resolution is, the more we find ourselves failing to keeping that promise. Many people believe they just can't be "green" and being "True Green" that is impossible. Maybe I can be a mild shade of green, like lime green, but never a deep forest green because that is asking too much.
Let me put you at ease, nobody is asking anyone to go directly to a True Green lifestyle. After 30 years in my field, I am still not true green. I am working towards that goal to this day and I will achieve my mission soon enough. The bottom line is to know that I am not going true green over night. I am going one shade of green at a time.
I have been making small decisions that are attainable within my own budget of time and money, year after year. Small steps that have added up to significant differences not only for me, but for my planet's future.
Several people take on a significant resolution each year and the more involved or complex that resolution is, the more we find ourselves failing to keeping that promise. Many people believe they just can't be "green" and being "True Green" that is impossible. Maybe I can be a mild shade of green, like lime green, but never a deep forest green because that is asking too much.
Let me put you at ease, nobody is asking anyone to go directly to a True Green lifestyle. After 30 years in my field, I am still not true green. I am working towards that goal to this day and I will achieve my mission soon enough. The bottom line is to know that I am not going true green over night. I am going one shade of green at a time.
I have been making small decisions that are attainable within my own budget of time and money, year after year. Small steps that have added up to significant differences not only for me, but for my planet's future.
In many of the books written by Matthew Kelly he talks about how we tell ourselves that holiness is not possible and how that is a lie. Telling ourselves that we can not go green or live a sustainable life by going true green is also a lie. Matthew Kelly continues to explain that we may believe that holiness is possible for our grandmother or some saint that lived one thousand years ago, but not for us. We can't make a resolution to have a holy life by tomorrow afternoon, but we can go out tomorrow and do one (1) holy moment. Not a holy hour or a holy day or a holy year or a holy life, just one holy moment. That is possible by just holding the door open at the Post Office for the next person behind you, going out of your way to support, help or pick up someone. Stopping by a soup kitchen to help unload a pickup truck filled with potatoes, sharing a smile with someone and doing whatever your heart tells you to do. After you take all the holy moments you did and weave them together, you will have a holy life.
The same is true with helping to save our environment for ourselves and our children's future. We don't know for sure what the outcome will be with Climate Change, but we do know that living a more sustainable life saves money, energy, water, and our environment as we live a healthier life without sacrifice. All this can be done one small step at a time... Going one shade of green at a time toward a more sustainable life.
For example, if you are like me, you probably received a few more coffee mugs as a gift this Christmas with your name or a relatable ID mark on the mugs. So instead of stuffing other mugs into your cupboard, bring two or three of them to work to avoid using disposable cups. Just one small resolution for this year that is possible and we will all be the better for that.
Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
For example, if you are like me, you probably received a few more coffee mugs as a gift this Christmas with your name or a relatable ID mark on the mugs. So instead of stuffing other mugs into your cupboard, bring two or three of them to work to avoid using disposable cups. Just one small resolution for this year that is possible and we will all be the better for that.
Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
