Routine

Routine. To many this is an absolutely god-awful word. It represents, boring, sameness, conformity, lazy, ordinary, stagnant, reactionary - to some. And for much of my life as well. But as I started dating my wife and now that we are married I have come to love having a bit of routine in my life. I still like to fly by the seat of my shorts in certain situations, but routine has offered me more free time to do the things I love, and eliminate things I find distasteful. I owe much of this to Emily.

I used to find myself lost, trying to figure out where I set my keys, where I left my wallet. The dishes would stack up, the living room would get messy, I didn't know if I needed to meet somebody, when school or work needed to be done. I was truly a mess. But I loved it - so I thought. Every day was a new adventure, I was always moving a hundred miles per hour, but now that I look back at it, I was moving a hundred miles per hour back and forth doing the same things, working in circles, really getting nowhere. I couldn't find the time to get the dishes done, my room cleaned, my car in to get checked, grocery shopping - all the things I didn't WANT to do, but NEEDED to do. I was trying to maximize all of the pleasurable things in my life, reading, watching movies, writing, dabbling in art, hanging out with friends etc., avoiding those necessities of life. At the end of the day I was still looking for more time to find pleasure.

Then Emily came along who is the spokeswoman for routine - "Everything has its place," is a common phrase with her, and I began to change. From her keys, to her calendar, she moves through life in a very set manner. Everything gets taken care of right away, no procrastination, and I found that we often were being delayed or re-routed because I forgot something or forgot to do something. Now my change wasn't totally expected and this wasn't something I planned - I never said to myself I need more routine, though I have stated that I need to be more organized.

Why create a little routine? Time. We all want more, but we only get what we get. Without routine or a little organization we spend far too much time procrastinating about the things we don't want to do only to find ourselves, some Sunday afternoon wasting a full day cleaning, moving things around, etc. It frees up larger blocks of time to take care of the thing you want to do, read, write, surf the net.
I am not saying place your entire day on the calendar or live like a robot. I still love spontaneity, flying by the seat of my pants, being surprised, and now that the annoying things are taken care of right away I find more time for spontaneous activities. It is truly amazing how much time you save and free up by taking care of things as they come along, dishes, cleaning as you go, etc.

I am not perfect by any standard, I am not obsessive compulsive about it so I do find myself digging through coat pockets for keys, but now it is a once a month occurrence, not a daily activity. I can't stress how advantageous a little routine is, start small - finish big.

Going Green One Product at a Time!

Problem, going green seems too overwhelming, doesn't it? What products to use, where to find them? Kitchen products, bathroom products, lawn and garden, where do you start? I think this is a problem for many people, the overwhelming nature of starting any project. It's just like a Sunday cleaning, where do you start? Or a renovation on a home, interior or exterior, lawn first, or new windows, paint or new patio? It can be overwhelming unless you settle down, breathe, and approach it in baby steps.

I've been following a blog lately www.zenhabits.net, and in his blog he notes the radical transformation in his life by eliminating negative habits and encouraging healthy habits one at a time. It makes sense and is something I practice myself, just never got around to writing it.

So where to begin? The quest or journey begins in your head, clean that out. You have so much in there that is useless, so get rid of it, thoughts of car emissions, global warming, droughts, etc., it's overwhelming and thinking in terms like that leads you to a feeling of powerlessness. So first realize you can't change these problems directly, but you can take charge of how you contribute to them in your own life. You need to realize that everything is connected and in that, the environment should be taken seriously, just as we do with our fellow beings.

So where to begin? Look under your sink right now. Does it look like mine? Enough toxic chemicals to pollute Lake Superior yourself? I am in the process right now of eliminating these toxic chemicals and replacing with biodegradable, eco-friendly products. My dish detergent has been replaced by a product from J.R. Watkins. It is vegetable based, with lemon extracts for fragrance, no acids, no synthetic perfumes, and it is as good as Dawn. The soap I use in the shower again is organic, vegetable based with the scent of mint. Again no acids, fragrances, and I feel better after my shower knowing that my shampoo and soap are far less hazardous going into the ground.

Starting with just a few products is a nice way to get started, kind of like stretching before the big run. You can find these products in any organic market and Target is even carrying them now. Once you simply look for these products you will be introduced to a whole line of items that can be used around the house, toilet bowl cleaner, window cleaners, dishwasher detergents, etc.

It is overwhelming, but taking it one day, one product, or one room at a time can eliminate the stress of change and get you on the path to living a greener life and becoming a positive voice for these products, tell a friend or family member and let’s watch the world get greener together.

Please comment on any other habits, products, or services you use.

Baby Steps

Going Green

I've been thinking and writing a lot about going green lately, again topic of our journal, but environmentalism has always been an interest of mine, simply out of respect for the beauty of nature. I tend to think about why things don't happen, causes for rejection, why a restaurant goes out of business, why Macy's just cut another 1,000 people, and even why people would reject a greener lifestyle. I don't know that I have come up with anything groundbreaking, but I think I have some ideas as to why. But where to begin I ask myself. OK, here we go. First I think that life, every individual, is placed on Earth to serve a purpose, they have a journey and whether or not they realize this doesn't matter. And I think that every individual has a common element or quest to their journey and that is to be happy or to seek happiness. One of the problems with environmentalism is that the fun or happy part of it has been removed, possibly never even existed, and because of this absence, we don't want to strive for it. Look at the rhetoric; I don't know that there is a campaign going right now that has more negative energy than the environmental cause. Green Peace is full of nuts, Al Gore's documentary was a joke at best, and when you read anything on the topic, it's what about this, and what about that, think of these, or think of those, there is already enough tension and stress in our daily lives to have to think about this and that, and those rare birds in the forest. We reject it because we have to worry about it and the last thing we need in our lives is another worry. Negativity and unhappiness is associated with the cause. I know environmentalists will say otherwise, but they are wrong, a clean Earth will make us all happier - it won't. Rational people which most of us are avoid negativity and that is what this cause has turned into. Now putting a smile on your face when you call the majority of the population pigs isn't going to make it better, but we will get to solutions later.

Now we realize that the cause makes sense. We need a habitable Earth to survive until either, we learn how to live on another planet, or we self destruct from the international tensions. Either way we have time, and we will need water, food, land to grow food, air to breathe, the necessities of life and growth - all life. So it does make sense, it is rational. What has become irrational is the belief that we need to turn our houses into a solar powered dwelling, eat only organic foods, live in the dark, consume nothing and still find happiness. Our tastes do not coincide with the environmentally friendly products. For instance a hemp produced piece of clothing can only be afforded by wealthy individuals, organic foods are unbelievably more expensive than un-organic, household products tend to be more expensive, the common person cannot afford these products, meaning that we are not willing to spend 50% more on them when we need to heat our house, drive our car to work, pay for the other expenses in life. Once the costs of these products come down, there will be a demand. We love the Earth, but do we love it so much that we will negatively affect our bottom line? I tend to think not. Again solutions to these will be discussed at another time.

Why we don't practice green? Have you ever wondered why you buy Pepsi and not Cola? Because Pepsi is good, the can is appealing to our eye (visual stimulation), the name is known, and you can find it anywhere. Another problem with the eco-friendly movement is that the products look generic and when you do find them, they are in some specialty store way away from your typical paths. We don't know what these products are, they have no name. Here is one solution for the cause - sell out! Yep sell out, sell the product to a company that can mass produce, can make a name for it, and can get it in the everyday stores. The bearded hippie isn't going to be able to do it. We simply don't know the names of the products out there; we don't know where to find them.

Well it's off to my pollution emitting car, to drive to my land and energy consuming job where I will probably waste paper, plastic, and everything else. Let's stop with the negativity, let's stop with the rhetoric, make going green make sense, make it well known, and make it available and affordable to the common slug. Once we do this, we may see a change in our behavior and how we look at consumption.

Peace, Prosperity, & Happiness.

Changing Habits Finding Meaning

Again, I can't state how great of a site www.zenhabits.net is, I feel like I'm a cheerleader for it. Anyway, one of the points I took from it the other day was in regards to organization. I know my life is full of clutter, I could open my desk up and there would be letter from June 05. I am all over the place with my thoughts, so I am working to bring a semblance of order.

Change occurs one day at a time. In the past I was always waiting for a lightning bolt to hit me in the face causing what I would see as a divine occurrence, thus leading to change. This rarely happens. What works is bringing change one habit, one day at a time. I will admit I am in the process of changing several habits one day at a time, more exercise, better foods, positive thinking, etc. It works though, I feel like I am bringing meaning to even the most mundane aspects of my life, cleanliness, order, my desk drawer. I can't stress how important it is to not bite off more than you can chew, you'll choke and quit eating. Take it one habit at a time, do 10 push-ups today, 15 tomorrow, 3 sets of 10 the next, a walk and push-ups the next. Or buy an eco-friendly product this week - on your Target run, rather than buying the super concentrated, double bleached, hyper-phosphoric, 4,000 gallon of water polluting, fish killing, lake ruining toilet cleaner, get the vegetable based, eco-sensitive, lemon smelling, non-acid, fish loving, almost drinkable (almost) bowl cleaner and why not throw in some eco-friendly dish cleaner as well. They all do the same thing. These seems small and I'm sure you will say that it doesn't make a difference in the grand scheme, but it does mean something on a personal level, you know that YOU are making a difference, YOU are making a change, and YOU are conscious of everything from detergents to managing your money, to keeping your mind sharp. You are in control.

Health, Happiness, & Character

Change

It is amazing how vast the internet is, the amount of information, the organization of it, the constant flow of change. I write this as I am amazed everytime I find a usefull or interesting website or blog. I don't know why, more than likely because there is so much filth and garbage on it that I spend my time searching rather than finding.

With that I have recently found three websites that will be useful in your journey to find, peace, health, wealth (however you define it), happiness, meaning, purposes, motivation, clarity, balance........it goes on. I like these sites for the following, they are simple, not full of different links, images, etc. They are basic and as we go through life isn't that one of our goals, simplicity? Not boring, but knowing what is usefull, hangining on to it and ridding yourself of the clutter.

First, www.thegreenguide.com, this site was put together and is maintained through the talents of volunteers. Again as we bring more meaning into our lives, shouldn't we focus on making all that is around us better, including Mother Earth? This site provides great articles on shopping green from groceries, to t-shirt, to home cleaning products. The articles are short, sweet, and to the point, but provide the motivation to make your want to change. In this life of oblivion we have come to live, this site provides the tools to bring a consciousness back.

In our journey of meaning, purpose, peace, and happiness we often find ourselves burdened by life's obstacles, work, friends, clutter, politics, whatever there are forces out there that weigh us down. www.zenhabits.net, is your guide to overall mindfulness, peace, clarity, and happiness, one day at a time. Most of us are unwilling to see a therapist, not out of an introvertedness, but because they cost 100+ dollars per hour and you never know what the results are going to be. Zen Habits provides simple, mind and physical activities that help you define what matters how to release yourself from old, bad habits and begin bettering yourself one habit at a time. It truly is an inspiring website and most importantly the genuine and honest nature of the author shines clear. No cost unless you want to donate and in my estimation his site is well worth a donation.

Possibly the most inspiring living and human figure I have never met, Dennis Prager. Known for his conservative talk show, oh yeah and multiple books, his rational and logical approach to happiness, thoughts, life matters, and clarity are compelling to say the least. Don't let his political affiliation get in the way, this guy is one of the most intellectual, honest, genuine, logical, balanced, people I have ever had the honor of following. Listening for nearly 6 years now, he, along with my Grandfather are the two main reasons for my turnaround in life. You can find his written works at www.dennisprager.com and you can listen to his happiness hour every Friday at noon on 1280 am. Don't let narrow-minded political views get in the way of sound judgement, rational thinking, and a happier life.

On a side note I was on my walk yesterday and a young girl is walking to the bus stop eating a yogurt. Licking the aluminum cover like a dog licks a spilled food on the floor I can tell what is going to happen next. Yep, the cover is discarded on the ground. I wanted to say something, but then figured she would scream and I would end up in jail. Has the message about littering and eco-consciousness been ruined by the likes of Al Gore, Green Peace, and others? To the point that a girl just throws her wrapper down in the middle of the street? Our future, littering one yogurt container at a time.

Morning Green

I was up late last night writing, playing chess, and living the dream.
I woke late this morning, showered, prayed, meditated,
though my prayer and meditation are basically the same thing
With meditation I try to slow my brain down, achieve a level of clarity
cast out unnecessary thoughts, you know the bit
I usually find myself organizing my thoughts, incinerating some worries,
and occasionally a nugget of wisdom burns a thought
I've been thinking a lot about Going Green lately, for one the journal
I work for is using this as their April topic, as well I am an outdoorsy kind
of person, I love the water, trees, clouds, birds, and other animals and plants
that makes waking up worth it.
At the same time I love the convenience of my car, the comfort of my house, the
hot shower I get everyday
But I vacillate on the pleasurable sensation as I know the environmental impact
This morning then
I'm deep in meditation so deep the world is black
but a thought still
Going Green
The problem with this is not the message, but the delivery
we are all trying to find our balance in life, we look to give meaning to
the things we use in life, the habits we have, the dreams we dream
One of the many problems with Going green is the delivery of the message
The world is in peril, the animals are starving, our land is turning into desert, oh and what
about the whales.
It's not a funny topic or something to take lightly
The delivery
Just like politics, using fear does not work
intellect and reason do
Humans have always consumed
it's just that now we have become so great at production our consumption has
become great as well.
And to be honest, we won't change - completely
if consumption will not change, where are the products and ideas that
contribute to cleaner, smarter, greener consumption
Co-op shopping is unbelievably more expensive - I try to split up my shopping
but there is no way the common person is going to skip over the local grocer for
a co-op when at every turn the price is almost double
It doesn't make sense - yet
Those who truly care need to come to grips with reality, the reality of their message,
their audience and change.
I don't know how bad the planet is, Minnesota is great.
The New slogan for 2008 - Go Green, it makes sense.
We will win the argument if we stay rational

One other thing beside the bad poem

I was with a friend and family member this weekend
Remember that as eco-silly as we can be,
never be a hypocrite the injustice to the cause
is insurmountable
loss of street cred - AKA credibility
Imperfection is normal
so is perfection