Why?

I have a friend, a VERY religious friend, who recently began running her household with the goal of creating as little waste as possible. It took some questioning for me to learn that this was her underlying goal. Was she trying to increase health? Save money? No, she said. But those were byproducts. Although I'm not sure she ever quoted this expectation to me, I have come to understand that her purpose was to be a good steward of God's resources, a biblical concept, of course. As time has gone by, I have begun to wonder if part of her inspiration to pursue this path was the impending threat of the Highway 6 Landfill. After all, she is from Navasota.

I would like to be a better steward of God's resources. But this was not what has inspired our 2012 goals. (Interestingly, of course, it appears that this friend and I will share many of the same DIY methods in attempt to keep out of the stores.) This is OUR "why"...

First is health. Eliminating pesticides, GMOs, and world-travelling foods will increase the nutrients and reduce the toxins introduced to our bodies.

Second is empowering our dollars. Sending our dollars to local producers of goods and foods has a far more powerful effect on our community than spending on items produced elsewhere.

Third is self control. Especially after the excess of the holiday season we are in awe of the STUFF we consume. I remember Benjamin's first birthday. He would open a gift and had no desire to open another. Why would he? He wanted to enjoy the new item, to explore it, to engage it. In only two years that attitude has done a one-eighty. Now he tears through gifts asking for more. I wonder how this could be the same child that used to appreciate such simplicity. I am embarrassed. It is my failure. The consumerism and marketing in this country has become too powerful a force to resist...well, almost. We will flex those resistance muscles this year.

Fourth is time. We can spend it consuming more or enjoying what we have. It is our most valuable resource. I want to put it to work actually generating the happiness that the marketing companies falsely promise their products will create.

So why write about it all? It will keep me honest and focused. I believe it is a challenge worth taking. Perhaps I will glean something valuable that is, as of now, still unknown. I want our family and friends to understand our choices and respect that they are well intended. Should this "project" become a long-term lifestyle, I want our children to understand its origin.