Going Green

So Earth Day was this week, and although I've never publicly acknowledged Earth Day before, this seemed like a good forum in which to mention it. Until recently "going green" would have likely meant letting envy get the best of me, or traveling with cash in my pocket. I'm a fairly conservative girl and I've never actually hugged a tree. But working in the health and wellness industry has at least turned my radar screen a pale shade of green, and now phrases like "eco-friendly" and "environmental sustainability" roll off my keyboard with the greatest of ease.

More to the point though, my level of awareness about my personal environment is elevated. I'm putting more thought into how I live, from my diet to the cleaning products I use, to recycling paper at my desk (amazing how little "trash" is in my basket at the end of the day now). And I truly believe I'm making some small inroads toward doing my part. Oh, I know the current green revolution has taken on a life of it's own in the media, but face it: Do you know anyone who's really against the environment?

For me, it's really about stewardship. After all, God gave us a clear mandate to take care of this world a long time ago, and that trumps any man-made marketing campaign.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. ~ Genesis 1:27-31 (NIV)

If you're looking to "go green" (or "greener") bookmark The Daily Green. Or, if you're into hugging trees, try this one. Oh, and thanks to Hannah Link for the use of her tree painting!