The photograph above (from my post entitled Into the Woods: Hacklebarney State Park) represents a small portion of the joy I found this year, and some of my resolutions for the year ahead. In essence, this post is a retrospective and a wish list.
In 2012, I spent much more time outdoors exploring, beyond our back yard. (If you've got a green blog, this is part of the deal.) In 2013, I will find new forests, new parks, new farms, new trails. In the spirit of the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), I will take more "baths."
In 2012, I read many thoughtful books and blogs on nature and environmentalism from authors who inspired me to live healthier and more eco-consciously. (See the post entitled 10 Green "Gifts" That Won't Cost You a Dime, as well as the sidebar for book recommendations on the home page.) In 2013, I'm looking forward to making the acquaintance of more new environmentalists, sustainability experts, and thought leaders.
In 2012, I bought a lot less stuff. Of course, trying to financially recover from a major kitchen renovation played its part in curbing the overall spending, but by and large, I think I've finally developed a genuine distaste for the endless acquisition of "stuff." It's been liberating. In 2013, I will aim to buy even less stuff, continue to find new homes for old things, and impart the message to my children that more stuff does not equal more happiness. I really believe that experiences are more important and meaningful than anything you could buy at a store, and I wrote about this topic in the posts entitled Rethinking Gifts for Children and Greening the Holiday Gift-Giving.
In 2012, I realized that the best way to approach environmentalism was to accept that it's a personal quest and a never-ending process. It's also a practice that is best served without preaching, proselytizing, or pontificating. This led me to write one of my favorite posts, the one that was most widely read since I began this blog, entitled The Many Shades of Green (or: Get Off Your Green High Horse!). I think the reason it resonated with readers was because, as Kermit The Frog sang, "It's not easy being green." As long as we're heading up the green ladder instead of down, then we're heading in the right direction, and it's best to concentrate on our own progress instead of butting into the green or non-green business of our neighbors (which has its own adverse effects on the green movement).
In 2012, I worked on being more connected to the present moment. I'm not 100% unplugged (nor do I want to be--I've got a blog, after all, so technology is my co-pilot), but I want to be mindful of what's truly important to me. (I wrote about this idea in the posts entitled Unplugging from Technology to Reconnect with Your Child and Changing the Focus.) My goal for 2013 is to savor the experiences, places, and people I cherish, and to live more fully in the present. That last point is tidily summed up by one of my all-time favorite environmentalists, below:
"Only that day dawns to which we are awake." -- Henry David Thoreau, Walden
I hope that in 2013, all of your greenest, simplest, and most meaningful dreams come true.
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© 2012 by Joy Sussman/JoyfullyGreen.com. All rights reserved. Photos and text digitally fingerprinted and protected by MyFreeCopyright.com. Site licensed by Creative Commons.
Thanks for a year of inspiration Joy. Looking forward to more in 2013.
Posted by: Cheryl Katz | 12/26/2012 at 02:23 PM