I don’t know about all of you, but I thought Kerry’s last post about the green noise was excellent and something we all have to keep in our minds. The line in the NY Times article that really struck me was from Paul Hawken, when he said, “even people inside the movement have the same feeling — burnout.” I think there is some truth to this - especially as we notice more and more stuff coming into the marketplace that really seems to push the envelope of actually being green. For those of us who have been trying our best to really do the right thing, it can get annoying to see so many conflicting messages that are really just a new marketing spin. One blog I read described it as “the same old crap sold with a thin layer of green paint”. Perfect. Example in point - the 5800 pound GM Hybrid Tahoe that gets a “revolutionary” 21 MPG and is a steal at $50k. I can get a 1991 Honda Accord for $750 and get 38 MPG - I guess some of us see progress a little differently.

While I agree with Kerry that getting back to basics is the most important thing right now, I also think it is important to keep yourself tuned in. Sometimes that takes doing something you wouldn’t normally do - you know - splurging a little. For me, the overall outlook in our country right now is making everyone feel pretty heavy. The economy, energy prices, and politicians only loyal to money and power - make us all feel a little helpless. Sometimes it can feel like all of the efforts you make are for naught, and why bother. When I get like this, I need something to snap me out of it, and remember why we are so committed to actually greening our planet.

Normally for me I will read an article, watch a movie, etc and reconnect to that deep feeling inside of living the values I know to be best for our family and our planet. This month, however, that wasn’t the case. I decided to swim against the greenwash and do something really bad. Something so unsustainable, I would force myself to think about my actions. Here is my story:

A few weeks ago I was in New York City and I had a bagel at H&H Bagels, which if you haven’t had one is almost worth getting on a plane right this second and flying there to have one. While I didn’t do this - I hate humidity - I did the next best thing and ordered a package via overnight shipping so that Kerry and I could have one with our morning Mate. Now, normally I would not approve of this kind of thing - sort of insane to think of all the resources it takes to fly me a bagel all the way across the country - but in this instance, I didn’t care. It was time, and I have been thinking about that bagel ever since I left. The local bagels just aren’t the same. Let me tell you folks, it was fantastic! I even used conventional cream cheese. What a gloriously sinful morning it was. The only bummer was UPS was late - nothing new there - so we had an 11am bagel and an extra cup of maté.

While I was sitting there enjoying my roughly hand sized ring of dough, I reconnected with the feeling of why we NEED to be sustainable, not just why we should. Everyday, all over the world, we do stuff like this and don’t even think about it. There is no sustainability police - I think Berkeley might be working on - or even anyone to question our actions. As long as you can pay, you can do it. This is how the world goes around. As long as the economics work out, there really isn’t any other factor one needs to consider.

Don’t get me wrong, much good has come out of the green movement. In many ways, I think the feelings that live in many of us are actually promoting some of the best change the world has ever seen. Just think about it, a few years ago you would have been laughed out of the Walmart for even asking for an organic product. We just have to keep going - keep living those ideals - and really, actually trying to make a difference even when it doesn’t feel like it matters.

In the meantime, I would encourage you to have your own little moment to reconnect with all of this. I am not saying you have to do something bad - that’s just how I found myself - but in whatever way is appropriate for you.

Now if you excuse me, I am going to eat my sandwich that Kerry just brought me — ON A BAGEL FLOWN IN FROM EFFIN NEW YORK CITY!!!!