Quick and Easy . . .

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/image/planetary/earth/apollo17_earth.jpg

Before we go even one step further, click that link, and just soak it in for a sec.

Pretty awesome, isn't it?

What I want to convey to you with the commencement of today's post with that beautiful and awe-inspiring image is simple:  that's IT.  That's all of the Earth that there is.  That's all of the sky, land, water. 

That's all there is.

We celebrate two important events this weekend.  Those two events are Easter - the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the full circle of an amazing life, one life sacrificed for all mankind.  I'm not qualified to speak about that event, really; my thoughts on God are weird, probably not very mainstream, possibly somewhat controversial.  I guess having had a child struck with cancer thrust me into a whole new way of thinking about God.  I don't feel like defending my theories on meaning and personal trials and God, so I'll leave those in obscurity.

The other event is . . . Earth Day. 


As products of a modern world, many of us lack the value of thrift.  We have absorbed a mentality of thinking that all things are available for the right price, in endless supply; that preserving things isn't worthy of our precious time.  As we mourn the loss of our economy's vibrancy, perhaps we're forgetting the important fact that our economy depends upon rampant consumption.  We're encouraged to consume.  As a result, we waste stuff. 

A lot.  We consume a lot, and we waste a lot. 

I'm going to make this my shortest post ever, and keep it simple, trusting that you've been bombarded with all sorts of "save the planet" messages during the past couple of weeks (some of them from me.)  I've posted about supporting some bills, opposing others, and I hope that you've all felt at least once like contacting your senators. 

So I'm going to request two things.  Only two, and they're very simple, very easy, painless.  Changes so small that you'll barely even notice them, it's just a matter of establishing a few simple habits.  Very, very simple habits.

First . . . take your plastic bag habit to the curb once and for all.  Stuff one of those reusable bags into your purse (especially if you're one of those women that carries a ridiculously large bag) and stick a couple more in the trunk of your car so you'll always have them with you.  It's such a simple way to reduce your use of a material that's not only rarely recycled, but also poses an immediate threat to ocean wildlife.  (Remember the plastic pooping turtle.)  (Turtles eat jellyfish and those plastic bags, which often end up in the ocean, look like jellyfish to turtles.  So they eat the bags and it doesn't always come out well for them in the end.)

Yes, I know.  Pretty punny.

Some have mentioned that it's unsanitary to put meat into those reusable bags because they don't launder well.  There are canvas bags that launder, and I've seen bags made from a ripstop nylon that is presumably washable . . . or maybe you can just strike a compromise with yourself and accept bags only for your meat purchases . . . if everyone in the world only used plastic bags for their meat, the impact would be enormous.  So don't aim for perfection.  Aim for doing what works, for YOU.  Otherwise you'll give up, right?  We're not here to judge each other. 

Second . . . if you're a luncher, or someone who eats out a lot, swear off carryout containers whenever possible.  Not every restaurant will let you bring in your own container to the salad bar, but no one will say a word if you whip your tupperware out of that giant purse and pop your leftovers into your own container instead of a difficult-to-recycle styrofoam box. 

Now, how easy is that? 

It just takes a little thought.  The opposite of wastefulness is not really thrift, it's mindfulness.  Do what you wanna, but choose it. 

We all get stuck on the recycling part, but reducing and reusing is just as important, and possibly easier . . .

Remember to call your senators - oppose S. 718, support S. 136 and 847.  Just takes a few minutes!

And have a wonderful holiday weekend.