Pollution Resolution
Published in Spinsheet - January 2018
The February issue is the perfect time for a New Year’s Resolution piece. Firstly because I’m in the middle of reading Mark Manson’s new book about managing what we care about, and thereby I don’t really care if I’m a month late. But mostly because the data tells us that 78% of men have already failed and given up on their resolutions and 90% of the women have failed. So, as I figure you’re all in the place where the unrealistic lofty goals have been abandoned, the new yoga mat now sits in the corner collecting dust and you’re seriously considering deleting the 5:00AM alarm reminder on your iPhone. Maybe now is as good a time as any to have a little recap on resolutions.
I find that the concept of a New Year’s Resolutions is culturally ubiquitous. Much like the Golden Rule, where a version of it is seen in literally every religion and cultural belief system, the New Year’s Resolution too has a reach far back in history with meaning and practice in nearly all social systems around the word. The Babylonians yearly promises revolved around returning borrowed junk and paying off the debit man. Romans made these promises to the god Janus (January). Medieval knights re-committed to their chivalry each year. So on and so forth until now, according to Epcot and Gallop Polls, about 40-50% of Americans are setting resolutions each year.
Being successful in a resolution is no easy task. You must pick and choose, building realistic expectations and most importantly placing weight on what really matters to you. What does matter? This is the time to separate out ‘bucket lists’ from meaning. Resolutions at the New Year can be deeply personal, meaningful and spiritual. It’s a wonderful time for such reflection. Many Christian beliefs have a season of Lent. This is much the same, a time for maybe achieving something deeper than just the perfect abs. But how do we get there? “First you have to row a little boat”. Like rowing a boat we sit backwards in life, gazing back at our wake to understand where our bow is pointed. Knowing where you came from and at what heading, you will conversely be inform on where you’re headed. What were your major accomplishments in 2017? How do you feel about the things in life that you can’t live without: family, love, social responsibility, personal accomplishments, self-actualization, or sailing? What was worth doing again that could add meaning to life or what area could you set measureable, reachable goals that create positive change? What small thing could you decide to commit to that would have the largest impact?
As Bayfolk I honestly think when looking back and planning forward we must ask the question of what responsibility we paid to our Bay and its environment. If sailing, time with family or friends on the water, experiencing a great sunrise as you round the Potomac mark in the Governor’s Cup are samples of things that keep you living and enhance your life like they do mine, then they rate high in terms of meaning. I get it, you may miss out on the rock star abs. But, making resolutions in simple life ways that impact a greater ‘good’, that also bring to you ownership and joy of the region, is worthy. They don’t have to be large or burdensome and may even have beneficial side effects that will contribute directly to you while you in tern help the Bay. Here are a few thoughts:
Buy a re-usable water bottle, you can increase your water consumption, decrease your cost on bottled water or soda and eliminate the plastic in local dumps.
Join a local advocacy group you can get behind. The resolution will end with the entrance form! You may even get a free t-shirt.
Decide you won’t use lawn fertilizer this year and see how it goes. You will lesson the run off into the bay while giving yourself time and money.
Grow your own organic garden
Volunteer, even if only once or twice this year
Add one thing energy-efficient to your home
Buy used
Use natural cleaners in your home and on your boat
Go on an energy diet with the whole family
Eat and shop local
Use re-usable grocery bags
Compost
Bike or rideshare to work multiple times regularly
Make sure your head is pumping into the holding tank
Take a child with you fishing or sailing
Don’t wash your car as often
Recycle