Synergy strikes again

After a holiday hiatus from writing for my EcoMetro "Confessions of a Green Wannabe" blog, I got back to work on it yesterday. Sure, the holidays are a busy time and that's partly why I hadn't posted recently, but the truth of the matter is - and you know that's where it's at for me - I got afraid and froze. The more excited I got about the column and all that I was learning, the more intimidated I became about how much there is to learn and change. And, really, who am I to be commenting on green living? Me with the truck and the overflowing trash cans?

But I got to thinking, why not me? I specifically designed the column as an opportunity to explore the greener side of life and share my adventures. So I submitted a fresh column and added to my growing idea list.

Later in the afternoon while feeding Baby Chi Chi I tuned in to catch Oprah's Going Green episode. As all things Oprah, it was inspiring and encouraged me that I was making good use of my energy, so to speak. I enjoyed the show so much I took notes with the free fingers I had (yes, fingers, not hand). I'll share my notes later but for now, here are two things that hit it home for me:

• As they were discussing the small steps we all can take to make a collective difference, the old "take shorter showers" business came up. Just as I thought "Well, what else can I do cause I savor my alone time in the shower!" Oprah says something to the effect of: "I'm sorry but I draw the line right there. I'm willing to do everything else but I like a strong shower." So, there she is in all her fabulousness spreading the Green Gospel and she's strong enough to admit that hey! I'm human and there are some things I'm not willing to do - but I care and am doing my best and am telling the truth about it. It hit me that's exactly what I'm trying to accomplish with my ecometro column.
• Then I was writing down the name of Discovery's "Planet Earth" series thinking I'm going to buy it for Baby Chi Chi since I'd like him to see the planet in all its splendor, just in case, you know, people don't step up. As I was writing the title down, a woman said she was watching the movie and looking at her son thinking "this is the world I'm leaving for him." She said she was inspired to go green, but that "right now I'm kind of a mint green." Which reminded me of this post and what Rosie said and that we're on the right track.

This matters and it's worth talking about even if I feel a little inadequate at times. 

So I'm all excited and starting this post when Matt calls with a story idea for the column. He met a cool person who started a eco-shuttle company and got a bunch of information for me to set up an interview. That, friends, is synergy in action.