Ecological Intelligence

Since I attended the Green Ventures Conference at FDU in May my interest in the green economy and sustainability continues to grow. These are big concepts with many perspectives. My efforts to become more knowledgeable led me to Daniel Goleman's latest book, "Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything."

A major point that Goleman adds to the thinking about our ecology is the life cycle assessment. This refers to the hundreds, often thousands of steps any product goes through starting from its creation to our purchase. Every step along the way there are numerous impacts on the environment, on health and on the people involved. Now these steps can be analyzed and the information is available to us as we make purchasing decisions.

Global warming is a danger that often feels out of our sphere of influence. The ability to make informed choices with relative ease gives us, the consumer, a concrete way to influence companies to do the right thing...to manufacture products that don't harm people or the planet.

Here are three websites that can help all of us make safer purchasing decisions and decide if their impact is worth the price we pay. I use the word price in its broadest meaning. www.GoodGuide.com - rates products on the environmental, health and social impacts compared to other similar products.
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com - a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products
www.ewg.org - exposes threats to our health and the environment.

I logged onto Good Guide and checked Cheerios. This is what I learned. Cheerios is rated as 8. The rating includes a good nutrition score, no or minimal community-related controversies and one of the highest scores in recycled materials. With over 70,000 products rated I hope you will try this site and see how it can help you. Let me know. Post a comment!

Here's to consuming and caring for each other and our planet all at the same time!

Money = Wealth?

This ongoing recession, which some believe will transition to a new economy, has caused many folks to think even more about money. This has been on my mind lately as well. Mostly I've been struggling with feelings that I don't have enough money. Does anyone else relate to this?

A few friends of mine have recently accepted jobs that pay less than their previous ones. They too have been thinking they don't have enough money.

I decided this is a good time to reflect on my beliefs about money and reinforce beliefs that will add to my well being.

It's true that sometimes I fall into scarcity thinking. This of course only causes anxiety and distrust and does not support the life I'm trying to create. Fortunately I'm able to recognize this and shift my thoughts to beliefs grounded in the psychology of plenty. This is an attitude of appreciating what I have; seeing my life as a gift which offers opportunities (sometimes disguised as problems!). I know that when I appreciate the gifts I have they become more valuable to me and this attracts still more.

While reading about money, I was reminded that money is important but it is not wealth. Wealth comes in many forms and is not limited to the dollars in my bank account. Wealth is offered numerous ways. It is the love and support of family and friends. Knowledge is wealth. Beauty is wealth. Peace is wealth. The services that others offer, the products we use; all are forms of wealth.

When I resist the materialistic notions of our society of getting, accumulating and consuming things and then feel content with what I have, I feel wealthy. As Joseph Campbell wrote, following one's bliss and one's deeper nature is liberating.

I will continue my reflections about money with conversations about sufficiency. If you are interested in this, please send a message to me janice@mjscape.com
You can find more resources about sufficiency at www.globalsufficiency.org