Ecological Simplicity-September 22, 2011

I think that Ecological Simplicity is very important concept in today’s society. Many people say that they care about the environment, but unless you make a conscious effort daily, it is all talk. I think the truly serious people who believe in the ways of ecological simplicity are the ones that actually make a difference.  When people think of the word “simplicity” they think that they have to live without all the fun electronic devices that they are used to. That isn’t true. We just have to figure out a different way to power them that would give less of an impact to the earth.

“Simplicity means choosing ways of living that touch the Earth more lightly and that reduce our ecological impact on the web of life,” states Duane Elgin. This is true because it shows that the little things can make a difference. Even if you do something as simple as planting a seed or watering a plant, it can still make a small and significant change in the end.  To further give an example of what Duane Elgin is saying is the Boy Scout idea of “leave no trace.” What the Boy Scouts of America is saying is to enjoy the environment by hiking and camping. Then after you are finished with the pleasure of the outdoors, leave it like or better than when you arrived. Take all the trash with you and discard it in the proper locations.

Over all, I think that ecological simplicity is a very important subject that is being taken more seriously today than fifty years ago. More homes are using solar panels to make a sound environmental choice to slow down the polluting of the earth. Also, some towns are putting up wind energy as an alternative instead of harming the earth to drill for fuel oil. Simplicity is discussed a lot, but people don’t normally hear of the idea of ecological simplicity. Not many people know about it, and I think it is important for everyone to learn about the importance of it. Its things like these that we all have to take a step back and say, “Hey, I can help.”

Homework for September 22, 2011

Read the Simplicity packet. Choose an idea from the packet and write about it. Be sure to quote the article or passage you are referring to and make sure you cite your source.

This I Believe- September 21, 2011

The act of persistence generally yields a positive outcome. I believe that everyone should always be persistent. But there was an occasion in my life that persistence resulted in injury. It was a warm October morning and I was four years old. I was playing in my room and I wanted a stuffed whale from the top shelf of my cluttered bookshelf. Since my mom was working downstairs, I decided to take it upon myself to get it. Since I was four, I didn’t have much common sense or much height to easily reach it. I looked around my room for something to help me get it down. I looked up at the stuffed animal on the top of the massive four shelf book shelf and kept thinking, “how do I get this down?”  Finally, I figured out that if I climb the book shelf, I’d probably reach the stuffed animal. I was right but the outcome was bloody.  I started my climb and I was just about to the top. I grabbed for the top shelf. Since the shelves were only lying on pegs, the top shelf came right off the book shelf knocking me to the floor and the shelf landed on my mouth.  I looked to the side and saw my stuffed whale. I should have been happy, but my mouth was in horrible pain. My mom, hearing the crash ran upstairs to see if I was alright. I wasn’t. When my mom saw my mouth, all she could do was keep smiling and assuring me everything was alright. We hurried into the hall bathroom. I started crying. My mom continued smiling and kept trying to stop the heavy blood flow from my mouth. Each time she put a paper towel in my mouth another tooth came out.  After the bleeding was under control, we were off to the Emergency Room. She took me to the hospital because she feared that there might have been deeper cuts in my mouth that she couldn’t see. We had to wait about an hour and a half until they could check my teeth. After they checked my teeth, they told my mom that everything was okay, but we should make an appointment with our dentist. Two days later, we went to the dentist. They told us that the teeth came out cleanly and that we had nothing to worry about other than they had to keep checking my teeth. They had to keep checking because my two front teeth wouldn’t grow in for another four years, and they had to make sure the other teeth didn’t crowd into that area.

I believe this represents persistence because it shows how I wanted that stuffed animal, and I wouldn’t give up on that endeavor. Even though I couldn’t find anything to get it down, it didn’t stop me from trying. This example of persistence may have delivered a negative outcome, but I still think everyone should strive to have the desire to do their best and never give up.

Simplicity Picture- September 20th, 2011

I chose this picture because I think it represents the true meaning of simplicity. It shows that you don't have to have the fanciest things to be beautiful and have true meaning.