Creature of Habit

"It are not the situations that bother us, but our judgements about them." 
                                                               Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor

One of the things that Colin wrote, ending his book, was about how difficult it had been to change his habits. People were asking him what the most difficult things were about his change to a no-impact-life, and this was one of the things he mentioned. It made me think about it more thoroughly.

We are so much more creatures of habit than we think we are or want to be. Even your way of thinking can get stuck, just like a habit, in a such a way that you can't understand, tolatere or comunicate with other people. People who have other habits. Which is ofcourse - sad. It's funny if you start paying attention to people's habits.
Even in my quite boring job as a dishwasher in a factory kitchen, I notice how my colleagues have developed strong habits. Which would be allright if they wouldn't be su used to them and discontent when I do something that interferes with that habit. And if that person is not a big communication-talent either, things can get annoying really easily. I didn't understand her way of doing things or her behaviour towards me until I started considering it as a habit. I was unconsciously disturbing her habit. And that made her uncomfortable.
It makes it easier for me to get along.

* The world is like a mirror, you see? Smile, and your friends smile back. *

No Impact Man

Apart from writing application letters and washing dishes, I also have some free time available for myself where I can enjoy myself, read, bake bread, have fun, whatever.
I love reading. I don't always seem to find the time to read as much as I would want to, but I try. The latest book on my floor/bed-side-table/in my backpack is the following: 'No Impact Man' by Colin Beavan.

I'm not the type of free publicity person but I can't help it: I just love this guy and his family making their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. It's just such an honest, interesting and full of commitment-story. I recommend it to everyone who is concerned about contributing to a healthier planet in many ways.


That's what's special about it: it's more than a story. Colin and his wife really actually try to act in a different way instead of pointing their finger at others. One of the things that attracted me in the first place to read it (apart from the green-ness) was that Colin, Michelle and Isabella live in Manhattan, New York. I was so lucky to visit NY this summer for the first time in my life and I can only slightly imagine how difficult it must be not to buy anything that produces waste there. You can have a take-away-anything: from breakfast till midnight-snack. But at the same time I understand why living in NY, Manhattan is attractive. If offered a nice, interesting job there I wouldn't doubt for a minute. Yes, it's a big city, but it's full of everything you can wish for. It's just a little bit more difficult to find your own way and 'resist' consumer temptation.
This makes this story just a little more interesting. Because I want to be convinced that you can live in a city ánd be kind to our planet. Moving everyone to the countryside is not the answer. It's just not feasible.


So I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm almost there. I'm thinking about applying some of Colin's strategies myself, although I know it's gonna be difficult. I know I'm the kind of person that contributes to a healthier planet when it's no big deal for me. Like taking your fabric bag to the shop, shop local, don't buy veggies or fruit in plastic, etc...
Maybe I could try to 'tingle' the few readers I have to slowly add some green actions to our daily lifes. If it's possible in Manhattan, it's possible anywhere!


P.s.: Colin also has a blog, I haven't been reading much on it, but since I discovered it, I try to follow his posts. http://noimpactman.typepad.com/

What is it about 20-somethings?

What is it about 20-somethings? This is the title of an article in the New York Times one month ago that a good friend of mine sent me. I must admit, the article is more appropiate than he could ever imagine.
What hits me is the almost obvious lack of an approach where the changes aren't considered abnormal but rather a deeper sense of living life consciously.That's at least what I felt when I read it for the first time.

Here's an interesting quote:

"The traditional cycle seems to have gone off course, as young people remain un­tethered to romantic partners or to permanent homes, going back to school for lack of better options, traveling, avoiding commitments, competing ferociously for unpaid internships or temporary (and often grueling) Teach for America jobs, forestalling the beginning of adult life."

Has it ever crossed their minds that the so-called adults of today don't want to be the adults of the past? That maybe - after seeing so many people (parents, uncles, etc.) with their dreams hidden in a dusty box - they want something different? I don't think hat the twenty-somethings of today remain without ties, I would merely dare to say they have become pickier in a kind of way. It's just not that simple anymore to remain loyal to another person for the rest of your life while you keep on crossing others. The world has become our playground, and it has made our social network so much more exciting and multicultural. It's more difficult to stick to a choice, in several areas.

Traveling, another beautiful side-effect of growing airline companies - sadly but true not really sustainable, at least not when you take the plane - makes your life full of experiences! Traveling opens your mind. At least, when you are open for it!
Don't go to an all-in hotel then with the pool and cocktails available for you every 5 minutes. But traveling, having time for the people you meet. Listen to their stories, eat their food, share life for a little bit. Makes you so much more humble and happy as a person.  
I wanted to write more about this article but then again  -  I've avoided writing on this blog of mine just because of it so I'm kind of loosing the intitial meaning of what this was/is for me.
So that's it, ready for a new post, on a new day.



"Even if some traditional milestones are never reached, one thing is clear: Getting to what we would generally call adulthood is happening later than ever. But why?"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine/22Adulthood-t.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1