We are creatures of habit. Now habit is not defined as good or bad; it is what we make it. Once we get stuck in a rut or caught on the top of a hill, that habit is hard to alter. If we examine our daily lives closely, then I am positive that we will recognize some overlapping patterns.
I realized that I have routine habits throughout my day as well. These specific habits that I will mention have amalgamated into my day-to-day life; they are small acts of environmental awareness that can multiply a thousandfold by everybody's participation. What I do can pay it forward to others. These small acts of environmental awareness transform into small acts of kindness. What I do can pay it forward to the world.
Restricted by means, I cannot go out and change the world by myself. As a simple teenager, philanthropic means of funding international environmental projects is not in sight. I can't really change a lot of serious living habits either. Improving the quality and miles to the gallon in my car would be ideal; I would like to upgrade from my V8 Grand Prix, which only gets about 23 mpg. However, I don't have the money to purchase a hybrid Toyota Prius. Also, I am not currently in the market for cars with the potential of sticking accelerator pedals. Despite my certain circumstantial limitations, the little bit I can do has the potential to precipitate into others' daily living habits though.
It is mainly about our mentality with which we choose to approach decisions. I always keep in mind the payoff and losses in my decisions of "this or that." At home, I turn off electrical appliances when I'm done using them. It doesn't make any sense to keep something turned on when I am not using it. I wouldn't want to pay for a vacation that I wouldn't go on, so why keep the TV on when I'm not in the room? I turn off lights when I'm not done too. It would be ideal to unplug everything because electrical currents still run through plugs no matter if it is on or not. This process, however, can prove to be tedious and cumbersome. After all, we are lazy; we're just human, amusing and confusing.
I don't do this all the time, but I will take a cold shower every now and then. Rather than engulfing myself in a hot downpour for minutes, I would keep it relatively short and cool. This feasible habit puts less of a strain on the water heater and the environment at large. Plus, a freezing shower can be extremely refreshing and awakening. It also stimulates your immune system.
Feel free to extend your habits to the public. As mentioned before, pay it forward for the world. Make others aware of your cause and habits. As I look around, I notice that my mom has a a recyclable and reusable shopping bag. Rather than opting for the plastic bottle, I am drinking out of an eco-friendly stainless steel water bottle (BPA free). My shoes insole's are made from 70% post-consumer recycled material.
Anything that you live out, eat, breathe, wear, watch, and do can be green. Our daily habits can permeate into other facets of life. In doing so, we can make this world a better place.
This video mathces greatly with my post:
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