I am still riding my creative retreat high from all the insight I gained from the Co-Op America Green Conference and traveling home yesterday allowed me to reflect on what I learned from all the speakers and attendees about being a responsible customer, business person and community leader and the biggest a-ha and summary on what I can do to make a difference goes back to the basis that I learned from Dr. Seuss:
YOU DON'T NEED A THNEED.
What the heck does that mean? It's really quite simple. I challenge you to go back to life at the age of five and remember the wise lesson from Dear Dr. Seuss in his amazing book, the Lorax.
Dr. Seuss tells the story of the Lorax who wants to save the trees and fights the man who wants to cut down the trees while convincing the masses via savvy marketing that we need "thneeds". After the masses buy these silly thneeds and satiate their consumeristic needs, they end up with a polluted planet and ultimately, a poor quality of life. The little man who fought for what he felt was right in the Lorax is a persona that still exists out there today. These eco-protesters are taking the people and planet issues personally and commit to making their life's work to encourage us to step back and THINK. Yep, think, that's all we have to do to start making a change for the better. Think about the difference between wants and needs and ask yourself when you make purchases if you really need that "thneed" or if you can we re-use something. When we do need to buy something, ask:
1. Where it comes from?
2. Is is made/conducted by a responsible company?
3. Will is last years and years and years?
4. What is the value of the product/service?
5. What are the values of the organization?
The Lorax was right, he is still right, and when you buy that next piece of furniture or bedding or household cleanser or invest in that next fund, ask yourself a few questions first so you put your money into companies and organizations that think first before they produce products and offer services.
If we exercise our thought and take mindful action via conscious spending, we CAN make a difference.
And we all need a darn good excuse to take a healthy retreat back to kidsville, so buy The Lorax and read it to the kids in your world...getting consciuous can also be a hell of a lot of fun!
