It occurred to me this morning, with all the talk about "going green" in this country, that I had in fact already begun to go green. My life for the last 10 years or more has been about saving energy, but I had never put it under the category of "going green". I would imagine when most of us hear that word, we immediately think about the gasoline dilemma, or installing the new fangled light bulbs, or being more conservative with water usage.....etc. I'm sure we could all come up with several different ways in which to conserve energy.....but I wonder why its the complete opposite when we look at our own individual selves. It seems this world is more interested in doing more, going faster, adding more, than getting back to the basics of life. After all, there is much to be said about slowing down, resting, spending time being quiet and still, not filling up our calendar, but erasing those activities that really provide nothing but a frantic lifestyle. In other words........what is all the rush about????
I realize that I am coming from a completely different place than most people, being forced to live with a chronic illness and either incorporating "green living" into my daily life or paying dearly for it physically.......but why does a person have to get sick in order to learn a lesson in life? What is so hard about giving up chaos, because if you're honest with your self here, you already know that the chaotic life really is a choice. Sometimes I wonder if we add so many things to our list because it makes us feel as if we have more control. That if we keep up the speed that a chaotic life requires, we won't notice what is truly going on emotionally and physically. In other words, knowing full well that something is not quite right, but you choose to pick up the pace to avoid looking at the real problem.
Each day that goes by, I see that my chair is positioned in a completely different place than it used to be......and with all my physical limitations and thinking I was a victim because of them, I have been gifted with new eyesight that sees my life as being more blessed than the richest or strongest person on earth. It's as if I took my own lightbulb out, which would burn out quickly, to a new fangled "green" lightbulb that will burn for many months. And all it took was me changing something that took little effort to change.
The world has no clue that their own physical strength, wellness, peace of mind and wellbeing is in fact a precious commodity. One that first of all needs to be recognized and appreciated.....and then protected and guarded like a Rembrandt in a gallery. If you want to keep that painting in tact so that it will last for a very long time so others can enjoy it, you will have to invest time in protecting it.
I have a list of ways to conserve my own precious energy.......as each of us can have, but we have to take the time to sit down and actually write those things down, study them, and figure out how we can change the world by changing ourselves.......one "green" bulb at a time.
1 comment:
I couldnt agree more. You have a insight that rare in this world. The world is too busy and it makes me sad that we are somewhat forced to play its game to keep up. It takes a much stronger person to step back and slow down. You were not forced into slowing down. Even with your physical set back.....you made your heart and your mind slow down. You are a guiding light to everyone out in the world mom. I want to be green as can be.
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