It's Almost Earth Day, Keep It Simple

In the era of Paris Hilton, giant SUVs and disposable everything. It's hard to imagine a great number of us are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.

For the past few decades we have been using and abusing everything from ourselves to the planet to our bank accounts in a gluttonous frenzy. Now we are just about used up and looking for a change. Well at least I am.

Our economy demands that we make consumption a way of life. So we buy more shoes when we own twenty pair, we buy a new sofa when the one we own is perfectly fine. We just want more. Or maybe it's because they are having a really great sale at our favorite store. We dutifully go to the mall, credit card in hand and shop til we drop. To make ourselves feel a little better maybe will buy an earth friendly hemp shirt, to put in our reusable shopping bag.

The real green lifestyle is living with less. Doing less. Buying less. When people tell you that you don't have to change your lifestyle to go green it's not true, you do. It's up to you just how much.

I know it goes against everything we have been doing for years. But try if you will, to go an entire week without seeing something new and shiny and uttering these words, I want one of those. I think people should start thinking in terms of need more. You don't have to totally deprive yourself and never buy anything at all. I personally love going shopping. May I simply suggest that you can start thinking more in terms of family and friends and other things in your life that you love and can't live without.

The culture of waste has been ingrained into us over many years. We throw away old sweaters and shirts when they get a small hole instead of repairing them. I actually knew someone that would throw away a shirt rather than replace a lost button. Don't even get me started on the cell phones and MP3 players that absolutely have to be replace every year because the new iPhone came out.

What works for the environment works for your wallet. Don't replace things unless you have to. And when you do replace your things give your old stuff away. Donate them to a homeless shelter or the goodwill. Or if it's broken recycle it properly. Electronics such as cell phones and TV's need to be taken to a hazardous waste recycling center.

Instead of going to a fancy restaurant, make an intimate dinner at home with locally grown fresh ingredients. Instead of going out and partying away a big chuck of change have some friends over and play games or just chat. Instead of going to see that movie that you really don't want to see anyway, rent a classic and pop your own corn.

Take your kids or dogs to the park. Go for a hike. Go for a bike ride. Have a picnic. Reconnect with someone you love. It's not all about the stuff you own or keeping up with the Joneses. It's about living well and leaving a beautiful planet for the ones we love.