Sunday, January 6, 2008

Finding joy in a Safeway lineup


The smallest things always bring me the greatest joy.

Today at Safeway I noticed that both the person in front of me AND the person behind me were each carrying their own shopping bags.

Then I looked at the check-out counters on either side of me and the customers there had also brought their own bags.


I know it sounds silly, but I felt a surge of happiness rush through me. A year ago I rarely saw anyone else with their own bags and many of the cashiers groaned when they saw mine as they are a little more difficult to pack. (They don't fit over the hooks that hold the plastic bags open.)

I have a long way to go to reach environmental sainthood, but it's nice to feel less alone in my efforts.

A few days ago I read of a New Year's Poll that was taken this year, asking people about their resolutions. The most common answer was that people were going to try to be more environmentally aware when shopping this year. This came BEFORE losing weight, quitting smoking, working out etc. The greatest percentage of people were looking outside themselves. Halleluah!

Earlier today I was at my mom's apartment, visiting. She told me she saw a story on the news that said if each person used one less paper napkin each day there would be a significant positive impact on our forests. I reminded her that I'd been harping on this for years. She knew that but thought I'd be interested to know that it was finally 'newsworthy'.

The picture above is of Winston, my dog, frollicking in the snow over Christmas. He finds joy in small things too.

Namaste

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Shelley,
Just discovered your wonderful blog site. I have been missing our New york blog sooo much...
I want to wish you and your family a Happy New Year. May there be many moments of 'finding joy in the strangest places'.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Antoinette

kc dyer said...

Hi Shelley,

I share your joy in the imminent demise of the plastic bag. Last month when I was pulling out my bags at the grocery store, the clerk said: "Wow -- look how old this one is. My mom has some like that!" We then determined that the bags were actually older than the clerk packing them. Here's to old bags!!!! =)

~kc

Leslie said...

Terrific photo of Winston! Is it another of Cara's fine work?

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