6-1: Where do we go from here? And how will we get there?

I always think it's interesting to compare how different things are in real life from the way I imagined them to be. I find myself constantly imagining how something will be and then discovering how it is firsthand. Many big and small things come to mind. . .a family vacation, a "quick" trip to the store, moving to a new house, a new recipe, giving up my car for a month. . . We are constantly trying new things and new situations on for size to see how they fit within the comfort zones of our lives. We ask ourselves questions like, "Does this work?" "Do I like this?" "How does this change me?"

Regarding my 2010 environmental resolution, it worked sometimes, I liked it sometimes, and it did change me.

I will first say that I was not able to forgo my car 100% of the time during the month. There were a few times that I decided to use the car (taking Hobie to the vet, during the pouring rain, last week during the hot weather). I still feel good about my results despite using the car a few times because of the changes I've seen within myself and my family.

So what has this experience given me (besides rock-hard thighs and sweaty shirts)?

• I have new reasons to love my children and appreciate them. They did not sign up for this challenge - but participation was expected of them. They are wonderful and amazing. . .and a little hot and tired too. My oldest said this morning, "Maybe taking the bike just one time to school is good enough?"
• The knowledge I need to navigate the local bus system!
• An ability to do without occasionally. There weren't any quick trips to the store when I realized I forgot an ingredient for a recipe. My daughter can wear one of my son's slightly smaller pull-ups for a night until we go by the store tomorrow. If I didn't make bread we didn't eat it. We don't NEED everything for everything. It's just fine the way it is!
• A community of friends who also want to be more thoughtful about their impact on the environment and who are willing to share their ideas with others so we can all change.
• A greater appreciation of how my body should consume food. So often we eat because it's "lunch time" and not because we worked so hard that we're hungry again or because if we don't and we pass out on the bike ride home it might be really scary for the kids. It's fuel - and it's a bonus that it tastes so good!
• Many new friends and acquaintances along my path.
• Zero fast food for a month - like I was going to bike to McDonald's! Not worth it!
• Many fun experiences to share and laugh about with Corey besides the usual daily routine.
• The ability to ask for and accept help. This is still a touchy one for me, but I really relied on others this month which is very much outside my comfort zone.
  
• The desire to continue to bike and bus to places I need to go! I think that summer break will be a fun opportunity to explore more places on the bus without having to make it to and from school.

You'll still see me on my bike or waiting for the bus. You'll also see me driving around. I'll be buying free-range eggs and more local products from Michigan. Corey will be dropping off a huge load of plastic at the MSU recycling center. We'll continue to try to eliminate the one small bag of trash in our garbage can every week. We'll use less water and won't double-cut our lawn. We might even turn off the power again. Maybe we're just one small drop of water in the huge ocean. . .but there were hundreds of ripples from our tiny pebble so I'm still hopeful!