practice mindful consumption

• Wealth without work
  * Pleasure without conscience
  * Knowledge without character
  * Commerce without morality
  * Science without humanity
  * Worship without sacrifice
  * Politics without principle

from

I am not sure I understand this fully but I’ll do a bit more research on it. I liked the commerce without morality one, especially for this particular goal.

last night I made a great dinner where we ate as many of the veggies in the frig that needed to be eaten as well as consumed the leftovers. It feels good to eat everything in time before it gets spoiled.

Money is not going out the door in the form of spoiled food.

for the parking permit for my DH to use at the community college that he is going to take a class for, we decided to spend the money on lights for his bike so he can ride his bike to and from class so that he can get exercise and have a safe ride. YEAH!

I’ve been working on this for quite some time and I think it’s going very well. This is something that becomes a habit. It’s thinking of the end outcome of every product you purchase and almost every decision you make. So far I’ve set up a recycling program. Almost everything that can go does go to goodwill, etc. I make purchases based on the final end of the item. This can also be a very depressing thing when you realize that even when the mainstream person does everything they can, so much is still wasted/ :( On a more positive note, my garden is doing VERY well! I am going to mark this off my list because I feel I am in the habit and the trend in my life will continue.

next time you throw something away, think about how you can avoid accumulating that trash in the future. I’ve noticed that packaging, especially plastic, is creating a lot of waste. I have started by making my own cereal bars for the family. What else?

remember, Courtney, that you need to be mindful of your consumption. Ask yourself what your true needs for the moment are. your mindfulness will save the world.

as I think that there are many other small things that we can do as well as recycling (I already recycle paper, plastic, tins and clothes).

1. Using a mug at work instead of the disposable polysterene or plastic cups by the drinks machines
2. Printing out documents double-sided instead of single-sided
3. Remembering to take an empty cloth bag or rucksack when going to the supermarket

that I have bought a few things foolishly of late. I chalk it up to January doldrums but resolve to do better.
On the positive side I am:
-recycling more items
-reusing packaging materials in my art projects
-remembering my cloth shopping bags and using them (almost always)
-trading and borrowing books rather than buying them
-canceling my magazine subscriptions as my renewals become due
-frequenting the consignment and thrift stores regularly for clothes purchases
-cooking more at home – although I did eat out twice last week
-stop myself from buying a new pair of boots – just because they were on sale

I find I do much better when I stay away from the stores unless I have a specific reason for being there. That sounds simple, but I have often used shopping as entertainment in the past.

I guess that’s why the goal is to practice though (rather than master mindful consumption). I don’t shop often, but I’ve had to really watch myself when I have been browsing lately… especially with tempting after Christmas sales to lure me to stores & online.

Not perfect purchases, but mindful. I did all my shopping online, which dramaticaly cut down on impulse buys, and gifts for myself.
I bought 5 gifts from Etsy, and I am happy to support artists and crafters as opposed to corporations and factories.
I am doing simple kraft paper gift wrap this year.

Not perfect, but a good start and a great improvement!