Self Improvement Articles

 

Your Guide to a Positively Green (& Joyful) Life
By Amy Phillips-Gary

Global warming. It's everywhere: in the news, the papers,
popular music, even kids' movies. Especially in North
America, ominous messages abound about how doomed we all are because of our gas-addicted, over-consuming, plastic-
dependent, throw-away cultural tendencies. It's enough fear
and guilt to drive even the happiest person into a depressed
and virtually paralyzed state. You don't have to deny any
"realities" to live green in a positive, life-affirming way.
You might even find you can make environmentally-friendly
choices from a place of joy that uplifts you and benefits
our Earth as well!

In the recent children's movie "WALL-E" a robot is left
behind on Earth to clean up the corporatized, trash-heaped,
uninhabitable mess left behind by humans who, hovering in a
space vessel, are now so fat, lazy and apathetic they don't
realize what's happened. Not to give any plot lines away,
(but as it is a children's movie here in the U.S.) it does
end hopefully. At the same time, the "WALL-E" movie is
right in line with what adults and children alike are being
taught. If we don't clean up our dangerous slothful ways,
the Earth will not be around much longer.

I'm not encouraging you to roll back the years and discount
the scientific studies that say global warming is real and
not to be ignored. What I am suggesting is that if we try
to "save" the Earth from a place of fear, guilt, and even
self-righteousness, nobody is going to benefit. Remember
when you were a kid and you were urged to go give your
elderly aunt a big hug and kiss? Perhaps your parents
whispered to you that, "it's the nice thing to do" or "she
won't be around much longer." If you relented and gave that
kiss and hug, it was probably evident to everyone that it
wasn't your choice. That aunt probably picked up on the
energy that accompanied the grudgingly, guilted into gift as
well. It's the same thing with our Earth. Energetically, we
can't save, fix or heal anything when we're driven by fear
and guilt.

Do it because it feels good!
While shopping when you decline plastic grocery bags in
favor of the reusable ones you brought from home, do it
because you enjoy the bags you chose. Maybe you are happy to
have less to throw away and you can even get creative
decorating the bags with colors and designs you like. It's
the same with anything. When you feel happy about what
you're doing, your personal experience is enhanced and those
around you can sense your joyful intentions as well. The end
result is richer and more effective.

Just as many of us have given that grudging hug and kiss to
a distant relative, almost all of us have also given gifts
that we were excited about. Maybe it was a piece of jewelry
that seemed perfect for a friend. It may have even cost
more than you'd usually spend but you wanted so much for
your friend to have it. When you gave that gift, you
probably beamed as much as the person who received it. The
energy with that gift probably meant even more important to
the recipient than the actual jewelry. When you plop your
cloth bags on the grocery counter for use, you can feel just
as happy about your gift to the Earth. It may seem like a
small act but the feelings that drive the choice will carry
on.

Set an example and inspire!
When your neighbors put out their trash cans overflowing
with visible cardboard boxes and other recyclables, it can
be tempting to judge them. You may scowl at their
wastefulness when a recycling receptacle is located less
than 1 mile away and even feel a bit superior because your
trash cans are rarely half full. Self-righteousness and
judging is not going to cause your neighbors to change their
ways and start sorting their trash. In the long run, it's
not going to make you feel better either. When you base your
sense of well-being and worth on putting others down (even
in your own mind), this false sense of surety will soon
fade.

Instead, focus on what you're doing in your own life. You
might offer to drop off your neighbor's recyclables on a
weekly basis or even pass out information about how to
recycle on your street. But if they aren't interested, let
it go. You can best be an example and an inspiration to
others when you are open and loving. Perhaps they are
living in green ways that you haven't noticed. Allow
yourself to be inspired by the actions of others.

Celebrate your abundant world.
A positively green and joyful life comes from making choices
from an empowered and feel good place. Rather than trying to
save the Earth, be an inspiration and notice all of the
wonderful green examples all around you. You can also choose
to celebrate abundance. Turn off the news when you start
hearing and feeling fear and lack. Instead, turn your
attention to the beauty and fullness of life that is right
outside your back door. Visit places that remind you of the
abundant resilient Earth we live on. Celebrate all of this
and know that the key to green living lies in our hearts and
spirits.

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Amy Phillips-Gary is a free-lance writer, homeschool mom and personal growth adventurer.
 

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Susie and Otto Collins are Relationship Coaches and authors of 4 books on relationships and personal growth. To get their FREE weekly newsletter filled with practical tips and ideas for creating more connected, passionate and alive relationships
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