Tag: RRR

Gratitude, Not Guilt

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

When I write these posts and sometimes talk about the different processes a product must go through to get to us, I’m doing a lot of educated guessing. I actually think it would be awesome to have a show or a book that really took an audience on the actual journey–the entire journey– that a product goes through to get to a consumer. So many mind-numbing shows out there; let’s start creating and demanding ones that add value to our world.

I think something that shows a product’s journey from start to finish (and even its afterlife) would be a priceless addition to a child’s library or a mandatory school program, but also extremely important for the public at large.

Unfortunately, I often carry a feeling of guilt when I think of all a product has gone through. I think of the travel pollution and the natural resources used and the factory pollution into our air or waterways. I cringe when I see boxes piled on doorsteps or walk into a big box store, as I think of the negative impact all these products have had on our environment.  I know I’m in the minority on this, but I do seriously carry a load of guilt whenever I buy or receive something. 

BUT, I think a far better approach, really, for whatever side a person is on—feeling this tremendous guilt or not thinking about it at all–is for us to look at all of what products go through to get to us and use that as a way of gaining a greater appreciation for them. When we can really value all that something went through to be made and assembled and transported, then we can feel a connectedness and a gratitude we might not otherwise know. And only then, will we really be aware of its value.

Instead of saying things like, “Well, it didn’t cost much, so it doesn’t matter if it breaks.” or “I couldn’t find the one I had, so I bought another one.” or “A newer model came out, so this one isn’t good anymore.” Hopefully, we can instead know the true cost and true value of each product. We will appreciate what we have. Buy higher quality items from companies with fair and good manufacturing practices–Demand that, in fact.  Mend and fix broken items, instead of throwing them out. Share with our friends and neighbors, so we’re not each buying our own high-ticket items that sit unused for most of the year. Gaining appreciation for our food and products is one of the keys to making a big difference in helping our world.

By simply becoming more aware of our products’ journeys, we will start building this appreciation and changing our habits. Your actions can and will make a difference!

The Greatest Gift

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

When I became a mom, I quickly realized I would do ANYTHING for these kids.  I want to give them all the best, always. Not in a spoil them, Veruca Salt, sort of way, but in a -I would walk to Mordor for you- kind of way. And, like so many parents out there, holidays or birthdays approach, and I get excited to give them something really special. To see their faces light up, to watch their imaginations grow. But, I can never help thinking, that the greatest gift I can give my kids, really, is a healthy planet for their future and for their kids. I know that sounds corny as all heckarooni when I say it, but I believe it deep down in my core. And while I’m not going to sit my kids down on their birthdays and tell them that their gift is that we didn’t get them anything that would add to the crisis of overconsumption and instead Mama sat down and wrote this post in the small hopes it would make a difference, I still think that we can keep things in perspective. Maybe cut down on the over gifting. Be conscious about what products we’re buying and what their company’s practices are and which local shop we’d like to support, even if it means paying a little bit more. Or even making our own gifts. Maybe we can also realize that for a lot of people, gifts aren’t necessarily brown paper packages tied up with strings, but instead might be a special outing or spending time together. I want to give my kids a healthy, sustainable planet for their future, and so with every celebration, every gift, every birthday party, I keep that at the forefront of my mind. And then all I can do is my best.

Healthy Body, Healthy Planet

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

I had this thought several months back, that in order to have a healthy planet, we, ourselves, must be healthy. Kind of a no-brainer, right? But it felt like a real Aha! moment for me, so bear with me. We are part of this amazing, beautiful planet, just as trees are or oceans or animals. So, if one of our goals is a healthier planet, then that includes us. I can’t be talking about helping the planet and have my own self be an unhealthy mess, whether physically or emotionally or mentally. And, the more this really sunk in for me, the more I realized how quickly the connection of healthier lifestyles would actually help with a healthier planet—not just in this microcosm sense of it all, which is important too, but also on a larger scale.

A healthier person is going to be eating fresher, healthier foods, which means less food packaging, less eating out, less pesticides. Healthier people require less medical care, which is easily less negative environmental impact. Healthier people’s moods are usually better, meaning they’re probably offering more kindness, helping out more, able to think more clearly, which leads to better voting decisions, better personal choices, more conscious decisions, etc. A healthier person probably spends more time in nature and less in front of a device, so with an added appreciation for nature, because they’re out enjoying it, they probably have more respect for it, whether consciously or not and will treat it better. Anyway, I’m sure the list of connections could go on and on, but I just felt it was an interesting thought and wanted to share it here.

Stuffed Animal Solution

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Our kids have more dolls and stuffed animals than I’d care to admit.  But, as much as I’ve been tempted to downsize the collection in the past, they truly do love each and every one of these dolls very dearly.  The problem isn’t so much the darling dolls, it was the constant mess of them ALL OVER the floor.  I’m more ok than most are with untidiness, but there are breaking points.  I tried every solution I could think of.  And every solution I could find on the Internet.  I tried stackable bins and big baskets.  Shelves, drawers.  I knew the hammock thing would never work, but I thought it looked cute.  These animals are a part of daily life around here, and when our daughter wants one, she will dig to get it, with no second thought whatsoever to the other ones she’s thrown every which way in the process.  (I know you non-parents or those with “neat” children are thinking, “Just make your kid clean up the mess.”  Spend a day with our creative whirlwinds, and then we’ll talk.)

But, finally, one day a couple months ago, I woke up with a solution.  Huzzah!!  We have a ton of moving boxes in our garage.  I know we’ll need them again soon, but hopefully, hopefully, we won’t need as many when the time comes.  So, I grabbed six (was it six?) medium-size U-Haul boxes and set to work.  It was important to have the dolls be at a level the kids could reach and see easily, so I knew I wanted them off the ground.  The bonus benefit to this design is the storage for all those miscellaneous trucks and doll houses underneath.  I was so excited about this solution finally being “the one” that I didn’t take many photos along the way, but hopefully these give an idea of it, if you, too, have been looking for a stuffed animal storage solution.

  

I folded the side flaps inward on the three base boxes for support.  The top flaps went up to form the barrier for the animals.  The bottom flaps were cut and taped to the far side barrier walls, if that makes sense…

We were lucky to have a free corner in the room where this could go, but it could definitely work as a straight line too.  I think I used extra boxes laid flat across the top for more support.  Then I covered the doll area with fabric.  And, for good measure, I laid down some old baby blankets as well.  I am NOT a “Pinterest-perfect” type person, so the basic idea was more than enough to make me happy, but I suppose this idea could be taken to the next level by those up for the task.  Since these photos, I’ve taped some scrapbook-type paper on some of the bottom sections for less of a cardboard look, but that’s sort of an afterthought.

Dolls and stuffed animals are blissfully simple to put away now, and when the kids want a specific one, it’s fairly easy for them to look through without dragging all the others out.  I love LOVE this solution.  I get to REUSE cardboard, it’s simple and portable when we move, and best of all, it works!  So SO glad I figured out what works for us.