The Sustainable Path

I find myself to be a person that avoids anything uncomfortable... whether it be physical or emotional. I am not the type to push myself, yet need others to push me out of my comfort zone. I think that it is the basic human condition to avoid "unhappiness" in any form, and to strive for comfort or "happiness". My studies in meditation and Buddhism challenge me to look at the current moment with a type of indifference. I can say, "I know that I am feeling pain, but let me take a look at this pain instead dwelling on the thought of getting rid of it." This doesn't mean that I can't try to be better or do better, or strive for a different reality. This means that we can't hold on to the thought that everything has to be perfect and make us feel "happy". I think once we accept that we will feel pain and pleasure, sadness and elation, and comfort and discomfort, we can throw away the expectation of always feeling "happy".

I started off with my beliefs on life and happiness because I find them to overflow in the realm of living a sustainable life. We are not always going to be comfortable when choosing the "right thing to do", especially when it comes to creature comforts that many in our modern world enjoy. When we choose to be sustainable, we may be riding our bike or walking out in the elements, and may have to "feel" cold, or even get wet. We may keep the thermostat down, or in some cases only use a fireplace or wood stove to heat our abode. We may choose to only eat what is available locally, instead of going out to buy those melons we have been craving in the middle of January. We may have to do much more physical work by growing our own food or working the land. We may also choose to only purchase used or organic clothing - or even challenge ourselves to not buy anything new for one year. This can lead us to feel like we are "doing without". But I think that is all a mindset, and something that we may need to change in ourselves, for the sake of our health and our planet.

I choose the path to sustainability because it is in my moral compass to do so. I find that the more I learn the more I feel that I need to change. Don't get me wrong - I am not an Eco Saint! But I try to do my best, and keep pushing myself to do more. By choosing organic and sustainable clothing, we can continue on this path and not get sidetracked by the pretty, packaged flowers in the deep dark woods. Get a little uncomfortable, you may just find comfort in it!


Namaste,
(The divine in me honors the divine in you),

~Sonya