June / July 2008 - "Surviving High Gas Prices"

‘The earth is not ours; we borrow it from our children.’ – Native American quote

Dear Friends, I was reminded of this quote recently with all the talk about ‘going green’. During my teenage/young adult years, I was very interested in the environment. I tried my hand at growing some vegetables and was conscious about recycling. Maybe some of you had similar experiences during the ‘70’s. And with time, as we grew in careers, raised families, and began the juggling process we call our lives, some of the issues that once were important to us were forgotten. For example, shuffling my children to and from soccer practice was part of our daily routine. The time and gas used was not an issue because it was something for the children. Now, as gas prices are at an all time high, we must make some changes.

We could regard this situation as a challenge to become more aware and proactive in taking care of the environment. It may also serve as a way to reduce some of our day to day stress as we find ways to make each tank full of gas last as long as possible. How would that happen you ask? Well, here are a few ideas that could meet both goals:

1. Plan your errands so you are not back tracking. Design a circular route that allows you to run to the library, dry cleaners, post office, etc. in one trip. This way you are not wasting precious fuel and time. Also, by planning you can avoid stress about forgetting that last library book.

2. Reconsider what’s in walking distance. If it’s a nice day, maybe a walk to the library, video store or Dairy Queen would provide an opportunity for a chat with your child as well as sneak in some light exercise.

3. If you work some distance from home, reconsider public transportation. Many cities have a good system in place. By planning to take the bus twice a week, you could enjoy reading a book, simply relax, or take in the sights of your hometown from a different perspective.

Well, I’m planning to make some changes in my weekly routine. I’m starting with learning a little more about how much I affect the earth. The website nature.org can help you figure out manageable changes. After all, the earth is not really ours…

Blessings to you,

Jacqui