This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching and Happiness.
This week's challenge was to notice when I was stealing from the earth, stealing from the future. To give back what I'm taking. Great challenge! I like this one and it is something I try to spend some time working towards.
Where did I take more than I gave back? I definitely ate some processed food this week which has a big environmental impact compared to whole foods. Despite an intention to shorten them, my daily showers continue to be on the long side taking more than my share of water. While I biked to work one day this week, I asked to be picked up which negated leaving the car at home.
What am I proud of?
I looked up the ecological footprint of various foods so that I would have a better idea of how my food choices impact the earth. And I continued to practice throughout the week being aware of what my choices were really costing. Including having one day that was all tasty, whole, vegetarian foods.
I am happy about the bike to work, even if that day it didn't make a difference. I know that over time I will get stronger on the bike and will be able to lessen my car use.
As I look at needing some new clothes in the next few months, I am looking at both second-hand options as well as more ecologically produced clothing to find the right choice for me.
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." - William James