Being Green Starts With A State Of Mind

Although Kermit the Frog has been known to say, “It’s not easy being green”, we wanted to share a few ways you can stack the eco-friendly deck in your favor. Put the luck of the Irish on your side. Because, as you may or may not realize, being green starts with a state of mind.

So, this St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve got some eco-friendly sayings, quotes and actions that’ll help you in your quest to be green. It’s really quite simple when you put your mind to it.

“May your footprint be small and your luck be large”

As a person of Irish descent, I truly want the luck of the Irish to be with us all and I believe it can be. I also believe “luck” starts at home and we each make our own luck. When you focus on the positive, you open yourself up to more opportunities.

Reducing your environmental footprint can help. Even simply becoming aware of the impact you are having on the world around you, may allow you to lead a more intentional life.

Here are a few actions you can take to keep your footprint small:

• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth
• Make your own DIY low-flow toilet
• Use greywater to water your garden
• Grow or regrow your own herbs and vegetables
• Turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms
• Use a smart thermostat to keep your home at the ideal, energy-saving temperature
• Turn on your ceiling fan, instead of your A/C unit, to help keep air circulating
• Unplug electronics and countertop appliances when not in use
• Only use the dishwasher and washing machine once you have a full load
• Open doors and/or windows once a day to burp your house
• Go through your closet and sell, donate, gift or repurpose items you no longer use
• Only buy reusable, steer clear of single- or one-use products

While these actions might seem insignificant on a larger scale, each of these actions can help you not only reduce your environmental footprint, but save you money, as well. Plus, if everyone were to make a concerted effort to lower their negative impact on the world around them, we’d all be much better off.

“If there is a way into the woods, there is a way out”

This Irish proverb is a simple, yet powerful, one. It can be taken a few ways. First, it hints at there always being a solution to every problem you may encounter in life. Second, for me, it highlights the benefit of being out in nature. Forest bathing can be extremely therapeutic, whether when you’ve got a problem you’re trying to solve or you simply need to clear your mind.

Getting outdoors can give you a much needed break from the stresses of day-to-day life. You can breathe in fresh air. Take a look at the wonders of nature all around you. Immerse yourself in the forest. When you focus your attention outward, your inner troubles often melt away. They won’t disappear but, after spending some time walking through the woods, you may find yourself in a better state of mind when you come out the other side.

If you’re looking for green this St. Patrick’s Day, get out in nature. You’ll see lots of green while you’re walking about. You may even be lucky enough to see a four-leaf clover.

“Who Sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all”

This is a quote by John Greenleaf Whittier. It highlights the importance of planting trees, growing flowers and sowing fields, and has been said to imply those who do these actions are more valuable to the planet than those focused on monetary or materialistic goals.

Without trees, fields and flowers, we wouldn’t have much of what we have today. Trees provide shelter and shade. They absorb carbon dioxide and other airborne pollutants, all while releasing oxygen into the air. They also help regulate temperatures and provide habitats for numerous animals. The fields are where a large portion of our food is grown. Flowers not only provide beauty, but offer food, shelter and habitats for pollinators the world over.

This quote also calls attention to the need for, and importance of, nurturing and encouraging the growth of future generations. Showing our children how to care for the world around them, and leading by example in doing so, is something we all should strive to achieve. It doesn’t get more eco-friendly than that.

“You never miss the water till the well has run dry”

The old Irish proverb, “You never miss the water till the well has run dry” is about as true of a statement as you can get. For me, this quote hints at the need to appreciate what we have. Sometimes people become focused on getting the latest and greatest product(s) to hit the market. However, this mindset isn’t exactly the most sustainable.

We should focus on being grateful and appreciative of the things we have. Repurpose, reuse, recycle and upcycle as much as we can. Consumers should strive to get the longest life possible out of their products. Manufacturers should work to build products that last. The demand shouldn’t be for disposable, single-use products. Those are not the “convenient” option they’re promoted as being.

You can be green by appreciating what you have and making the most of it. Opting for reusable, sustainable products and materials is key. This quote also highlights the need to focus on natural, self-replenishing resources. We can’t wait until the well is dry. We need to replenish it or supplement it from other sources.

Being Green really does start with a state of mind

Although there are numerous other Irish quotes and sayings I could share with you this St. Patrick’s Day, I hope these will help get you in a green state of mind and guide you to become more eco-conscious in the actions you take and sustainably-minded in the decisions you make.

One last Irish proverb, “Wherever you go, whatever you do, may the luck of the Irish be there with you”.