what is the earth?

I gave my talk on the environment last night. The talk and discussion (mainly discussion) extended for about an hour and a half. I really enjoyed it. And I realized how profound it is to reflect deeply on what the earth really is. What we get from it. It is the source of our lives. It reflects God's attributes. It is a divine creation. We are dependent on it in profound ways. Absolutely everything we have and do is dependent on nature. This in itself could be an entire workshop.

Victory over Plastic

I took my black blazer to be cleaned the other day. there is one place in town that cleans using oxygen or hydrogen or something purely natural, so that was my sole choice of place to go. aside from the environmental effects of dry cleaning chemicals, my nose seems bizarrely sensitive, and can detect even a trace of lingering chemicals. I've had items dry cleaned before, and couldn't fall asleep with them in the bedroom.

In any case: one thing that bothers me are those plastic clothes bags you get at dry cleaners. All I do with them is throw them out. Waste!!! So I requested that my jacket be hung without the bag. Wasn't sure if it would happen -- but when I went to pick it up, it was bag-free! And in its small way, I know it was an educative process for the employees there. The woman who helped me said that she was asked all week why there wasn't a bag on this one jacket.

victory in small steps.

Spiritual Resource Use 2

Another spiritual principle that guides our resource use is moderation.

Moderation guides how we interact with others; how we live our lives; how we balance the many principles that guide our resource use. Moderation does not mean “toning down” the vigor with which we deal with important issues. Rather, it is moderating our materialism and attachment to science and civilization; and it is modulating our ways of communicating and interacting with others so as to reach mutual understanding rather than conflict and disunity.

We need to reflect on and balance different spiritual responsibilities; and we should always apply them only to the point that they are useful, not so much that they cause disunity, disagreement, or problems for others. Of course, there are times to stick up for what we believe in at all costs -- but focusing on united action is generally more important. And principles exist for people, not people for principles to be upheld.

Moderation also applies to how much we use resources and how extravagantly or simply we live our lives. We are told that everything here is for our use; but we are also told that civilization carried to excess creates problems:

Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a beneficial influence. Consider for instance such things as liberty, civilization and the like. However much men of understanding may favorably regard them, they will, if carried to excess, exercise a pernicious influence upon men....
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 216)

Learning detachment and simplicity, while still appreciating what you have and deriving benefit from material things -- this is where moderation comes in, to achieve this balance.

Happiness

I have been thinking a lot about happiness lately. I'm doing pretty well with it ... I think ... and seemed to have reached a zen state lately where I fully embraced my "now" and was excited/optimistic about my future. Of course, today wasn't so great ... but then I return to my mantra: there are no bad days, just a series of things that happen. And there aren't even bad "things" that happen, just things. There is no such thing as a bad day!

Even today, for example. I was grumpy for a series of stupid reasons. And I went to the dentist and I have 2 cavities. However: they were able to bill my extended medical directly, so I left without paying a cent! It's completely taken care of! Now, isn't that something wonderful?

I want to learn to be happy on a daily basis. To make the happiness choice. To live life fully and bounce back, resilient, from things that annoy and disturb and derail. It's a learning process, but I'm up for it.

Along those lines, here's an interesting article about happiness, and its basis in experiences, not things.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2007/04/01/8403587/index.htm?section=money_pf

Gas bonanza!

Just made it to half a tank; and I'm over 225 miles. That is amazing! Usually it's maybe 170 miles at the most. I'll do proper mileage calculations in the future, but for now, I'm happy to share that no gas/no brakes is WORKING!

Second Hand Clothes

I absolutely love second hand clothes. I have since I was trying to be an enviro-cool teenager and my friends and I distinguished ourselves from the preps and jocks with our Salvation Army finds. I love the hunt, the chance that you'll find some treasure that someone else magically rejected, the individuality, artistry, vintage appeal of the clothes. I love the prices -- I can get an entire bag of clothing that I love for less than I'd pay for a single piece in the mall. I love that finding and selecting pieces is an art, an expression of creativity and vision, rather than merely following trends or using money to buy style.

I remember one wonderful moment of fashion inspiration in a great 2nd hand store in Virginia. I saw a woman across the store hold up a skirt that at first looked boring to me. A-line, a heavy cotton-type fabric, just below the knees, in pure white. How dull, I thought! But then I looked again, and I realized it was sophisticated, simple, and elegant. It was a whole new look I had never considered! I raided the skirt section next.

I love that these are items that are no longer part of mainstream consumption. By buying these, I'm not adding to the global manufacturing market; not driving consumer demand. In fact, I'm taking items out of the garbage stream, thus reducing pollution. There have been some interesting blogs debating the merits of 2nd hand shopping and its effects on the poor -- are we taking things away from those who need them? However, I do think that with the abundance of goods in North America, we all could move into the 2nd hand market arena to some extent and there would still be enough for all of us.

Lately, even some of my most dressy items of clothing come from second hand stores. I have GREAT quality jeans, some purchased for $15 at the most. Beautiful dresses; elegant sweaters; dressy tops. I'm finding pretty much everything I need. Well, two exceptions: purses and shoes. But that's another post.

Gas consumption ... down??

I've been trying the no brake/no gas thing for a while, and also haven't been using my car AC in spite of the heat. Leaving the windows open causes some drag, but I'm guessing it's less energy than the AC. And so far, it seems -- this is largely anecdotal -- that my mileage is going well. On long-distance roadtrips, the best I've got in this car is maybe 415 miles per tank. And that's highway driving -- much better than the city driving I do here. Now, in my post-brake world, I'm at about 180 miles and still quite a bit over half a tank left.

this is exciting! I may actually be impacting my mpg. I will give a more accurate assessment in the next while.