Archives:
- Latest posts
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
Writers:
Luxury vs. Sacrifice
Posted on Jan. 8, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. by Jill.
Is it just my inner Puritan, or does it seem like so much about being good (and green) requires a sacrifice of pleasure? Showers, for instance -- make them shorter and colder. Raspberries in January -- don't buy them. Fly to Paris for a crazy, romantic weekend -- better make that Paris, Illinois, oh, and can you take the Greyhound?
I'm developing a little list of green things I do that actually make me happier and my life feel richer.
1) Bringing my own canvas bags with me to stores. I hate the plastic ones, and those incredibly thick paper ones (at Whole Foods, they're always double-bagged) clutter up my kitchen because they're so substantial I can't bring myself to throw them away, even in the recycling. Canvas bags work better, and hold more, and most of mine are from conferences I once attended or from organizations I like, so they're also like little scrapbooks of my life.
2) Walking to get places. I do so hate the scent of gym. Helps me avoid them, a least a little.
3) Composting. If you don't have a compost pile this one is a little like my trying to explain to a dedicated non-parent why having a child is rewarding. From the outside, all you see is the incredible mess of it all. If you do have one, then you know how fascinating it is to poke and observe and have the hugely satisfying reward of spreading it on the earth and planting some tomatillos in it.
4) Downloading songs vs. buying a CD. So green, so easy, so satisfying.
5) Giving and receiving gifts of experience. At least that's what I call them, the gifts of tickets to something or the hand-made gift certificate offering to do something for someone or vice versa. Everyone's time is the most valuable thing they have, so to get that is better than any Tiffany brooch. (I think that may be the only time in my life I've ever written the word "brooch." Do people still make them? Do people actually ask for them for presents? Is that even a word?)
King Orthy commented, on January 13, 2008 at 12:05 p.m.:
Generally speaking I think it's good to listen to the inner Puritan (as long as it stays inside and its musings aren't backed up by the stocks, the lash or other draconian measures).
If you take the puritanical advice and exercise restraint, prudence or good judgement you have the pleasure of knowing you've done the right thing.
On the other hand, if you drive your Escalade to the airport to fly to see your lover in Paris to give her a conflict diamond brooch (there's that word again) it opens up a world of sinful pleasure in which to wallow.
However, it is highly advisable not to do this.
Laurene commented, on January 14, 2008 at 5:11 p.m.:
So it seems that luxury versus sacrifice is rooted in how you frame it. Can a sacrifice be framed as a luxury? To alot of people, Jill, your walking would not seem like a luxury at all, but if you frame as sweat smell avoidance it does sound much better. King Orthy, to many people -- like me --hopping on a plane to see your french lover and save your relationship with a kiss under the Eifel Tower seems like a completely valid use of carbon and not a luxury but a necessity. You can always buy an offset. Remember: love reigns. Just get the lover to move to Paris, Illinois.
Where I see the trouble is that so much of our society values things that are new, large, expensive, and exotic over the quality and the personal touch that experiences and objects possess because of who is part of them. Maybe we are having luxury overload, and things that were not luxuries before, like handsewn clothes, are becoming treasures.
Finally, I am surprised to know how many of you little green people out there have inner puritans.
my name commented, on January 20, 2008 at 2:36 p.m.:
Limiting my consumption, being green, is not a sacrifice because it is a necessity - the sacrifice is ignoring this requisite way of life and losing our beautiful planet as we know it now.
As for the topic of "brooch"... I love them! However, Tiffany will never have my toes cross the threshold of their store. One, I don't think I will ever be able to afford it, and Two, if I could afford it I would find better things on which to spend my money. Most of my brooches are from Grandmother's collection and the rest from thrift stores.
...I don't think I have an inner Puritan...