You might wonder why there is an entire section devoted to "Green Living". The answer is simple - we are all connected to one another and to the planet we inhabit. The spiritual law of interconnectedness makes is essential that we look at the resources we have and that we use them wisely. Just as your thoughts affect your body, the resources you take in also affect your body. If those resources are toxic, what effect will that have on your body, your mind, your spiritual growth? You see, it is all interconnected. You can't just focus on one aspect to the exclusion of others.
Many people are learning about the law of attraction and that is wonderful. However, it is just one of many of the spiritual laws that guide our planet. To really grow spiritually, you need to use all of them. I like to give the example of driving a car. Learning the law of attraction is like learning to use the gas pedal. But if that is all you did, you wouldn't end up where you intended to go. No, to arrive at your destination, you need to also learn how to apply the brakes, to steer, navigate curves, turn on your windshield wipers, and be aware of the blind spots both in the car and on the road.
There is an interconnectedness between our body, our mind and our spirit and the world in which we live. The spiritual principles of use, responsibility, love and balance permeate throughout this vast universe. And since there is this interconnectedness of the Universe, developing and expanding your awareness of it and the underlying spiritual principles at play truly becomes a journey, full of insights, surprises and joy. One discovery you will make is that how you treat your environment and its resources will be reflected in other areas of your life.
So, here is a very brief primer on Green Living. The topics include:
•Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
•Protection of our Natural Resources
•Animal Rights and Protection
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
According to a recent Gallop Poll, the majority of Americans support the environmental movement. However, from the figures collected, it is clear that many do not grasp the impact of their personal choices; some 44% of those surveyed agreed with the statement, "What I do does NOT impact the health of natural habitats". This is a clear violation of the spiritual laws of love, responsibility, use, and balance. The truth is that Americans, with just 4.5% of the world's population, consume over 33% of its materials. It's staggering!
Reduce: Between 1960 and 2008 the amount of waste each person creates has almost doubled from 2.7 to 4.5 pounds per day. The most effective way to stop this trend is by preventing waste in the first place. Waste prevention, also known as "source reduction" is the practice of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials (such as products and packages) in ways that reduce the amount or toxicity of the trash created. Reusing items is another way to stop waste at the source because it delays or avoids that item's entry into the waste collection and disposal system.
Source reduction, including reuse, can help reduce waste disposal and handling costs, because it avoids the costs of recycling, municipal composting, landfilling, and combustion. Source reduction also conserves resources and reduces pollution, including greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Reuse: You probably already "reuse" materials. Most of us don't think about giving the younger child hand me downs for clothes, or renting videos, borrowing books from the library, or buying antiques. Yet all of these are examples of "reuse". Many of us hold garage sales, take goods and clothing to donation centers or donate to charities our non-working computers, cell phones, and printers. There are so many cool ideas out there on how you can reuse everyday things. Take for example, CD spindle holders. They can be reused to cart bagels back and forth to work. Our plastic bags can be reused as well. Why not just put your old plastic bags into the cloth bags which you use when you do grocery shopping? This way, you don't use another plastic bag from the grocery store to hold your fruit and vegetables. These bags can be reused! And, why not put those canvas bags into your car and use them in whatever store you are going to shop in? They aren't just for grocery stores - they can be used in Walmart, CVS, clothing stores, etc. Don't limit their use.
Recycling: Recycling has been made so much easier because of the Internet. You can learn the fundamentals of recycling and the cryptic symbols on plastic containers and how to recycle just about everything. Many local waste disposal companies will even give you bins to hold your recyclables and they will do all the sorting for you - plastics, paper, and metals. All you need to do is make a call and get signed up for their program.
Here are some resources and links to websites on this topic. As I find more useful information, I will update this page.
"Green Living" by the editors or E, E/The Environmental Magazine
The Daily Green. http://www.thedailygreen.com/
Planet Green. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/
Tree Hugger. http://treehugger.com/
To get rid of junk mail and plant trees too:
Green Living for Home, Fashion and Beauty. http://www.thirdeco.com/
Natural Resources
Conservation is the preservation of our natural resources and habitats and is part of being environmentally conscious. Conservation is an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the natural world: its fisheries, habitats and biological diversity. The secondary focus is on materials conservation and energy conservation, which are seen as important to protect the natural world.
If we don't take care of what we have, we will lose it. The deforestation of the rain forests, the crippling of the Gulf Coast, and the list of endangered species (to name just a few) all speak for the need for us to preserve our natural resources and habitats. Many times this is done through legislation. However, without your voice being heard, laws that could be enacted will fall to the wayside because it is the squeaky wheel that gets fixed first.
With all this being said, it is your responsibility to educate yourself...read, learn and get involved. What you do DOES matter. You do leave footprints on the earth. You CAN make a difference. But you have to make the effort - it can't be done any other way.
"How you imagine the world determines how you live in it" - David Suzuki
Here are some resources and links to websites on this topic. As I find more useful information, I will update this page.
National Wildlife Federation. http://www.nwf.org/
OceanConservancy. http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
Gulf Restoration Network. http://healthygulf.org/
Conservation International. http://www.conservation.org/Pages/default.aspx
Ian Somerhalder Foundation. http://www.isfoundation.com/ or
NRDC - Natural Resources Defense Counsel. http://www.nrdc.org/
Animal Rights and Protection
The benefits that animals have provided to humanity are too numerous to even list. Here are a few of them: oxes have pulled plows so we could eat and live; horses have carried us around for centuries; mules and camels have carried our loads; dogs have been our eyes and ears and have led us by leash when we were blind or warned us of danger when we were asleep; cats have helped to clear our homes of unwanted vermin and birds have sung to us and given us hope. Animals are here for our benefit and yet some of us misuse and mistreat these divine gifts.
During a crisis, few of us think about the pets. When a child is removed from their home and the parent taken into custody, what happens to their pets? Many times nothing is done unless a social worker alerts animal patrol. When a fire devastates areas and homes are destroyed, many times the pets do not survive.
Animal shelters are usually the first on the list of budget cuts for municipalities and cities. Yet these very animals need our support. Some organizations have adopted abused horses and set up programs where these abused horses work with abused children. The healing effects are absolutely amazing both for the animal and the child. Other therapists are using dogs as a form of Pet Therapy in one on one counseling sessions with abused and neglected children. Most of us know about programs where dogs are trained to help law enforcement or work with disabled people.
Many of your local shelters need your support. Most of them can use items for the shelter itself. It can be blankets, towels, leashes, and/or dishes. It is a perfect way for you to "reuse and recycle" your worn out articles. You can call up your local shelter to find out their specific needs. You can also volunteer your time by helping at their clinics or other events that they are holding. Lastly, you can volunteer as a foster parent for these animals that need homes. By fostering a pet, you can save the animal's life since many shelters no longer can house all the abandoned and mistreated residents.
Call your local shelter and see how you can help!!
