“Consumption has become a habit, a hobby and a sport” (Evy McDonald, Spending Money as if Life Really Mattered). True. I recycle but don’t buy items with the “chasing arrows”/recycled content label. I should prepare more of my own meals (cheaper, healthier, less wasteful). Then there are all those gadgets in my kitchen—which do I actually use and which really make life easier? I can go through my home and give away stuff that’s no longer useful or that I’m keeping out of compulsion or the status I think it gives me. I can use the library rather than accumulating books. And visit museums, art exhibits, etc. instead of buying more dust-collectors. I’ve decided: I will concentrate each day on not wasting a single thing. Although I may not succeed totally, I will likely acquire a positive habit and manage to take better care of both the Earth and me.
Tag Archive for habit
Now, That’s Solid(arity)!
Even if you’re not a member of a faith that believes in the principle of Solidarity, for all of us it’s an important part of getting along in this huge world of ours. And it simply begins with getting to know other cultures. One way to do this fits in with what we do anyway. Go ahead and watch TV, surf the net, browse through the library, help the kids with homework. Before starting, though, choose a third-world or impoverished area you know little about (from Africa to Appalachia) and plan to learn all you can about its history and its people, including the hardships they face. Compare your own family’s beliefs and values with theirs. Make a habit of watching for newspaper articles and TV programs about that area and listening for news stories about it. But don’t be surprised when you start feeling a kinship with those previously unfamiliar people. That’s the idea; that’s SOLIDARITY!
Do You Waste Food in These Ways?
According to the USDA, each year we Americans throw away more than 30% of our groceries, which adds up to about $162 billion worth of food. Much of that food is tossed out during the holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving.
We simply do it without thinking.
The article “7 Most Shameful Ways You Waste Food During the Holidays–and How to Cut it Out” points out habits all of us fall into and suggests ways to avoid them.
Invisible Workers
IT’S MAGIC! Mail appears and trash disappears. Somehow the electric company knows how much power I use each month. After club or church gatherings, the grounds become clean overnight. Fresh vegetables are abundant at the market. A burger just shows up at the drive-through window or a choice of goodies in the cafeteria cases. Funny, I didn’t see anyone do a thing. It was all done by the “invisible people”—workers we take for granted because they always do their jobs.
This year, expand Labor Day into a life-long habit. Make it a point to watch for the person who delivers mail, reads meters, picks up trash, prepares food in the cafeteria, hands over that burger. Be aware of grounds-keeping individuals and housekeepers at the hotels you stay at. Notice the human being who tends the store’s vegetables. In other words, recognize the workers. Make a special effort to thank them. Let them know that you appreciate the part they play in making your life easier. Feel free to shock them with a compliment. They deserve it.