So it begins...

Sure I recycle from time to time. I turn the lights off when I’m not using them. I also try to conserve water when I brush my teeth. But to turn my whole world/life “Green”????? That’s quite the monsterous undertaking. So why do it?

I think it's best put when you talk about "Being Green" as an appreciation of Earth. I like that. When you look at all the "rules" that accompany this lifestyle, it seems pretty hardcore at times and at others a bit overwhelming. Some of the "rules" are hard to remember, especially at the beginning and that is what makes it seem so hard. Simple things like asking for no bag at the grocery store, or putting the bottles and cans in the recycle bin. But for me, when I look at it as appreciating the world we live in, it makes it a whole lot easier. Easier to remember. Easier to do. And I am all about easy.

When you take something for granted, you treat it poorly, or just flat out ignore it. No one likes to be ignored. It's a horrible feeling. But when you enjoy something, you love to show your appreciation, sometimes even go out of your way to do so. So that's how I'm going to approach this new lifestyle—as a newfound, or rather, rediscovered appreciation for this place we live in. Sure it sounds trite and corny, but it works for me. At least the concept does. The undertaking itself may be a whole different story. My wife used to live this way so it should be a bit easier for her to make the adjustment, but I need that concept to hold on to. It makes the goal seem less nebulous and much more concrete to me.

So that’s where we are now… my wife and I are adjusting our lifestyle. Not that we are extremely wasteful, but there are always a few things we can improve on to make our footprints on this world a bit more eco-friendly. Afterall, with two kids inheriting this world after we are gone, it’s a good idea to leave it in a state in which they can enjoy it. And hopefully in our green learning/living, the kids will pick up something too.

Here we go…