Thinking Back

Standing in the kitchen of my parent's house this afternoon, I thought of the comment made by the guy I had just started to date a year ago, "You know this is just a passing phase, right? You're not going to really continue to live your life this way." Needless to say, I think that was the last serious conversation we ever had. I should have known really. I mean he was the one I had originally seen Blood Diamond with (the movie that started this whole thing for me), and I had driven home alone to cry as I knew he'd never understand.

And now I think back on the last year and a half and I see the changes that are ingrained in me. I see the small ripples that have been created as well, and I stand in appreciation of all the change that I do see in our society. But even with the giant steps forward, I see where I (where we all) still have to go, and I see the small steps backward I have taken as well.

I've spent most the afternoon reading Affluenza, a book I would encourage everyone to read. I've been glad to be back in my small town, especially after visiting the local library on my first afternoon back, selling books to the local book store for HALF the retail value, and the adventures previously described of apple picking. But I've honestly been missing the city slightly on this trip also.

However, here, when life slows down, my brain picks up and wanders off. And this afternoon it wandered back over all the changes that have occurred over the year. And while I may never "look like" an environmentalist (more to come on this later), I'm glad to see all the changes that have occurred to make my step lighter and to benefit my own health. To realize I've moved 3 times in the last 12 months and only really bought a new chair, a dish drying rack, and green cleaning supplies. To realize that while I've slipped and bought some cheap new pieces of clothing over the last 12 months, I've worn them routinely, washed them as needed and in "greener" products, hung them to dry when I could, and have been able to go shopping plenty of times now without impulse buying (although I'm still taking precautions by attempting to stay away from Target). To realize that I've switched to some healthier personal care products (although I only gave up make-up for a limited time), that it's been over 2 years since I've painted my toes with (toxic) polish, and that this summer I gave up deodorant for the first time (although it gets used in limited quantities on certain days). And the list could go on, but really the biggest change I've noticed is just in my mentality: I think of and take into consideration how one choice may effect so many others. And I notice when I'm slipping.

However I'm most proud of the changes in several of my family members that I never thought would have been possible. On Friday, Mom returned from work with a bag of recyclables she had gathered at work, and yesterday Mom gave the children's sermon on... environmental stewardship. She was a tad bit lengthy, but concluded by handing out tote bags that all the kids could encourage their parents to use when buying groceries. We drove home in the Prius that she traded in her larger vehicle for this summer, and she came home from the store using her large totes to carry her goodies. Dad's bike still gets used to transport him to work as the weather permits, and his metallic water bottle sits ready to be used rather than a plastic bottle. My sister talks to me about gardening, natural care products, and cooking from scratch, and is just taking the steps to try to integrate some more healthy options into their lives.

So as I look back over the last year and a half, I feel that I can honestly say, "No it's not a phase. I might fall back from time to time, but I'm going to keep pushing forward." And I'm glad to say that I don't feel that it's a phase in my family members either. Now to get even more people on the bandwagon.....Go ahead...invite them to jump on. It's much more fun when it's more than one.