Act As If

I started thinking, in order to adapt a greener lifestyle I should begin to “act as if." I got the idea while watching a documentary on T.V. about a therapist who helped patients overcome their fears by encouraging them to confront whatever it is they were fearful of. I watched in amazement as the man who was afraid of snakes came face to face with a zoologist who tried to place a harmless grass snake in the poor guys trembling hands. All the while the therapist is instructing the patient to “act as if” he really liked snakes, and not to pay any notice of its lightening quick, slimy forked tongue waiting to strike without any warning.

Eventually it did work and I thought, hey maybe I could use this tool for myself in my quest of greenness. By “acting as if” I not only understood, but also used key vocabulary practiced in the sustainable community (I sound smart don’t I) I would eventually become greener, just like the guy who eventually touched the snake without noticeably wetting himself.

It’s all worked out rather well for me, and I thought that seeing as I’m a kind of self appointed green public servant, the only decent thing to do would be to pay it forward. Below you’ll find a short list of certain phrases and words that you too can use and start “acting as if.”

By throwing some green lingo into conversations here and there, you will not only impress your friends and co-workers, but you will increase your environmental awareness.
Impressive words to work into a dinner party can include;

So Stan did your company carbon offset your trip when they flew you to Paris on business last month? (Side note; make sure Dan’s trip was really business related, better yet ask him when his wife is out of earshot.)

Gee Pam these appetizers are delicious hope they don’t interfere with my low carbon diet! Then laugh ever so slightly.

Try and work post consumer into the conversation (this is a good one because it confuses people at first and makes you appear smarter than what you actually are.)

Finally after dinner you can start a rousing debate with the following question;

Hey Sally, Pete, Joe, which do you think is the bigger contributer to climate change? Fossil fuels, or methane gas? Tripple play here, but I suggest you ask this after dinner and not during, just in case beef is being served.

I hope you find this exercise to be as useful as I did, and who knows you might even be the hit of the party like I was. Personally when I “acted as if” to the last dinner party I got invited to, oh gee it must be about six or seven months ago now, I know how proud I felt by the universal look of astonishment on my fellow dinner guests faces when I said goodnight for the evening.
Good luck and until next time..

The Green Queen has Arrived!

Hello and welcome to my first posting...

This blog is a journal of sorts; a related account of my own personal journey into the world of Green. I have dabbled with it for the past few years, but now decided it’s time for me to get serious in my efforts, although serious would not be a good descriptive word for me. Let's simply say I'll be giving it the all American try.

I'll be blogging about my daily trials and errors while trying to truly embrace a greener lifestyle. Although before I begin let me first be totally candid with you; I am not going to be attending any rally's which could even remotely include sitting cross legged whilest tied to a tree. Quite honestly my knees would lock up and more than likely an ambulance would have to be called. But I promise to do my best by making environmentally sounder choices. I guess I'm just your average Jill trying to do better.

I truly thank you for reading, I hope you come back often, but most of all I hope you enjoy my journey.. Now sit back and enjoy because I have a feeling this could be one bumby ride!