11 Ways to Stop Worrying and Love the Green Life
1. Live Simply
This is not some kind of contrived martyrdom borne of self-imposed poverty but rather a recognition that material consumption is not the path to fulfillment or enlightenment. Albert Einstein suggested that when describing the truth, we should "leave elegance to the tailor." Indeed, the planet doesn't need humans living elegantly and such a lifestyle will not nurture our activist soul.
2. Create a Sanctuary
Sara Novak puts it, well, simply: "To really make reflection and meditation a part of your life, you need to make room for it." No matter how small your space may be, you can still transform it into your safe haven of sorts.
3. Volunteer
Sure, it's cliché to recommend that someone in the midst of turmoil reach out and help others. Cliché, but often dead-on. It doesn't even have to be a formal volunteer situation. When things are as screwed up as they are now, opportunities to help abound. Open your eyes and choose one that lights you up. People don't volunteer and say "Gee I wish I hadn't volunteered," and you won't either.
4. Find an Eco-Psychologist
Being acutely aware of dire environmental issues can understandably provoke angst and anxiety. Those who feel they need outside help might wish to seek out a local eco-psychology practitioner.
5. Learn From Past Activist Victories
More from Mr. Zinn: "If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, it energizes us to act, and raises at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction."
6. Choose Action Over Hope
No matter what you're hearing from Washington, action is always better than hope.
7. Reconnect With Nature
Ludwig Wittgenstein sez: "Let's cut out the transcendental twaddle when the whole thing is as plain as a sock on the jaw." When humans lose touch with nature, all hell breaks loose. How's that for a sock on the jaw?
8. Read pattrice jones
I quoted her in the intro, now check out her book: Aftershock: Confronting Trauma in a Violent World: A Guide for Activists and Their Allies.
9. Move Your Life Off-Grid
Some 200,000 people are already doing it so if you need a truly major break from society's pliers, you can start with Colin Dunn's Rule #1 of living off the grid: the electricity you produce must be greater than the electricity you consume.
10. Pace Yourself
In the words of Charles Bukowski: "Pace is the essence. Without stopping entirely and doing nothing at all for great periods, you're gonna lose everything...there has to be great pauses between highs, where you do nothing at all...And I don't mean having profound thoughts. I mean having no thoughts at all. Without thoughts of progress, without any self-thoughts of trying to further yourself...It's beautiful."
11. Eco-Vodka
When all else fails, a little eco-drink can help take off the eco-edge. Try these green vodkas. Drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive. In fact, try not to drive at all. But, don't drink and ride your bicycle either.
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