Okay, so I've been working hard the last 2 years to really focus on making changes in what I buy, eat, use, waste, etc. 

Today, Saturday, I sat down to look at some flyers and the newspaper to relax.  I found myself reverting to my old ways; thinking "oh, wouldn't that be great to have in our back yard so the kids could play on that" and "oh, look at that, wouldn't that make it easier to....."  Then I stopped myself and thought:  "how far do we need to go?"  Do we really have to feel bad for wanting to have a teeter totter for our kids?  No, what we need to remember is that before all the material things we need to think of what we want our children to grow up caring about. Could the teeter totter be made from something sustainable?  Was it made with consideration for generations to come?  Or just to make money for the company today?  We also need to remember not to rely on things to bring happiness or connectedness for our families.

So, this summer, we will be planting a veggie garden.  We also discovered that, thanks to a rabbit; who ate the strawberry plant I planted last year - then "recycled" it all over my yard...I now have strawberry plants in many areas of the yard.  We will be spending time together at the beach, in the yard, and visiting family.  We will also be playing basketball in our driveway with a ball and net that we purchased...and not feeling bad that this purchase was made because it results in enhanced activity within our family...and I don't think that it had an astronomical effect on the planet in a negative way.

So, how far do we need to go?  I would say that as long as the thought stays in the front of mind that what we choose to buy, eat, use, waste should not harm our planet or the people on it, it is okay to still have a few material things that contribute to life experience. 

We are here to experience life too....we just have to make sure our experiences don't deprive the next generation of their positive ones!

There are so many political/environmental/social platforms one could choose to stand for these days (although I'm sure there quite likely always has been).  How does one choose?

For me it was an awakening that made me choose the path I'm on.  Only 2 years ago I was the worst when it came to buying based on marketing and advertising: if there was an ad that showed a product could get those crayon marks off the wall....I was in!  Then came the business startup.  I was going to shop for people who didn't have the time!  I was going to make it my mission to help people get wonderful, thoughtful gifts for their loved ones and still have the time to spend with those loved ones!  What a great opportunity, I thought.

It wasn't long (about 6 months) into the business that I started to learn bits and pieces about things like chemicals in makeup and skin care, animal testing so that we can use that scary cream on our face....what?  I then started to allow myself to get a little off track when I would search for jewelry or designer handbags....I started to follow my instincts and the pathways just seemed to present themselves.

Well, it's been almost 2 years since I opened What's In Store, and I still have a mission to save people time in their search for ways to be good to their loved ones....just now, those things include not buying things that will cause their partner to increase chances of cancer, not to risk neurological or fertility dangers for their children, things that give us the sense of doing something good for the planet so there is something left to pass on....and so on.

I guess my point here is that what matters most ends up being what makes you feel proud of yourself at the end of your day, or your time spent here.  It is personal.  Because it wouldn't matter at all if it wasn't!

Enjoy life, enjoy nature, but remember that the next generations have that right too.

I was reading some chat-style communications about chemical-laden products tonight.  The funny thing is that there are people writing about how if they lived green they would be "dirty, never run their air conditioner, starve"....  I thought it was completely ridiculous at first, then I realized how one might start to feel that way if they encountered a great amount of education all at once. 

I think sometimes that it is important to handle people who are not that educated about the chemicals in their products with care....no one likes their ego smashed, even when it relates to something as menial as shopping.  We all take pride in different things, like how well we keep our home or garden, how well behaved our children are in public, our education, our status, whatever...so to have masses pointing at us and saying "you use chemical-laden cleaners and are going to die of cancer and your children will too!!!  Ahhh!!"  Well, you can see how that might make someone feel a little under attack. 

Perhaps those of us who have come to terms with the fact that we once made bad choices about our purchases, but have seen the light, could be a little more gentle with those who are not yet at that stage.  We care about the people around us, even if we don't know them well..so our intentions are good, but I learned the hard way that shouting about the dangers of chemicals in products can in fact make some people tune it out.  It may be because they don't want to hear how they have been endangering themselves or their families or it may be ignorance and disbelief...that "yeah, but everything causes cancer these days" mentality. 

Perhaps it would be best to just help people to take steps to form new habits, healthier habits that eventually lead them toward finding even more steps they can take.  Rome wasn't built in a day as they say....and old habits die hard.  So, let's take care of each other, try not to judge others too harshley, show some tolerance for where others may need it.....and remember, no matter how far we have come ourselves....there is always room for improvement.