Suddenly becoming earth-friendly at middle age can frighten those around us. Especially those who think it is "just some trend. I've tried before. I began recycling many years ago, and other than taking organic vitamins and trying my best to eat natural foods both of which I still do.
Then, at age fifty-three, which I am now, I had an epiphany. I had been a part of the worst generation for this planet. The guilt started setting in like snowflakes on a windy North Dakota winter night. I am a baby boomer. I was a part of the peace, love, Woodstock generation. Other than learn to talk back to our government (which actually turned out to be a good thing), we didn't do a lot for the planet. We smoked (and sometimes not just cigarettes). We drank too much. We drove V8's and used premium gas. And we thought we were "saving the planet"??? It simply shows how deluded one can get, if one gets involved in "a movement". And though, I must say some very decent music came out of that generation that is often copied, never duplicated, most of us that came out of it, and here we still are. But what has changed?
My point is, we didn't do a lot to make the planet cleaner, more efficient, more sustainable, or anything else. So what in the world did we do to help? Well, I guess the best we (the males) did was not dirty up the barber's floors with hair. Not much else that crosses my mind.
It never ceases to amaze me that I survived my youth. While a student, I munched on sardines Cheetos and other junk foods. And we were a "special generation"? I don't think so. Keep in mind we were doing the best we could given the tools (or lack thereof) handed to us. I am sure our parents, professors, and other elders were more confused than us as to what was happening to our planet. We had no instant access to information. Yahoo! or Google didn't even exist, nor did a PC much less a laptop, at least not in my community.
So I did my damage and made my amends. The question is, what now, can I, as one human, do to make the world a better place? I can first of all make me better. I believe Gandhi was correct when he says "Become the change you want to see". So I exercise and watch my diet. I try to wear earth-friendly clothing and use organic cleaners in my home. I eat organic. I don't do this all the time, but it is a process. And it is a journey. And it is part of my growth. And it is proof to myself that it is never too late to do a little something, no matter how little, to modify my own behavior to do better. I can't change anyone else. I can barely change me. We do change though if we are truly motivated to change.
If you are not already practicing earth-friendly or eco-friendly behavior, I suggest you try. Join a few forums and blogs and get to know some of the people who are doing things. You would be surprised at their joy and happiness and sense of fulfillment many of them have. And it is contagious. This old dog may be learning new tricks after all, and if I can, so can you.
Then, at age fifty-three, which I am now, I had an epiphany. I had been a part of the worst generation for this planet. The guilt started setting in like snowflakes on a windy North Dakota winter night. I am a baby boomer. I was a part of the peace, love, Woodstock generation. Other than learn to talk back to our government (which actually turned out to be a good thing), we didn't do a lot for the planet. We smoked (and sometimes not just cigarettes). We drank too much. We drove V8's and used premium gas. And we thought we were "saving the planet"??? It simply shows how deluded one can get, if one gets involved in "a movement". And though, I must say some very decent music came out of that generation that is often copied, never duplicated, most of us that came out of it, and here we still are. But what has changed?
My point is, we didn't do a lot to make the planet cleaner, more efficient, more sustainable, or anything else. So what in the world did we do to help? Well, I guess the best we (the males) did was not dirty up the barber's floors with hair. Not much else that crosses my mind.
It never ceases to amaze me that I survived my youth. While a student, I munched on sardines Cheetos and other junk foods. And we were a "special generation"? I don't think so. Keep in mind we were doing the best we could given the tools (or lack thereof) handed to us. I am sure our parents, professors, and other elders were more confused than us as to what was happening to our planet. We had no instant access to information. Yahoo! or Google didn't even exist, nor did a PC much less a laptop, at least not in my community.
So I did my damage and made my amends. The question is, what now, can I, as one human, do to make the world a better place? I can first of all make me better. I believe Gandhi was correct when he says "Become the change you want to see". So I exercise and watch my diet. I try to wear earth-friendly clothing and use organic cleaners in my home. I eat organic. I don't do this all the time, but it is a process. And it is a journey. And it is part of my growth. And it is proof to myself that it is never too late to do a little something, no matter how little, to modify my own behavior to do better. I can't change anyone else. I can barely change me. We do change though if we are truly motivated to change.
If you are not already practicing earth-friendly or eco-friendly behavior, I suggest you try. Join a few forums and blogs and get to know some of the people who are doing things. You would be surprised at their joy and happiness and sense of fulfillment many of them have. And it is contagious. This old dog may be learning new tricks after all, and if I can, so can you.
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