GESENHUES: What if the change we need starts with us?

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October 14, 2008

By AMY GESENHUES The News and Tribune Tue Oct 14, 2008, 07:02 PM EDT

Next month’s presidential election is all about change and reform. Both candidates are selling it like a snack vendor selling hotdogs and cold beer at a baseball game. But what if change worked best if we took it on a personal level and stopped relying on our government and big business to do it?

Would it trickle up?

Could we enforce a better economy by practicing better spending habits? Could we have more efficient energy options if we made a bigger effort to use the energy we have more wisely? Could we make a positive impact on our healthcare policies if we chose more healthy living standards?

I know I just threw three big-topic questions out there. Economy, energy, healthcare ... these are complex issues that need more attention than a simple question to be resolved. But sometimes, the best start towards resolution is one small move.

With the big vote right around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about these big-topic questions. And the one answer that makes the most sense to me is that I need to make personal changes before I can expect to see bigger changes within my community and country.

So right here on this page, in front of all of Southern Indiana, I’m going to commit to three things I will work on changing and improving in my life to get closer to the world I want to live in:

Change #1: Save Money

Our general rule around the house is that if we have to buy something with a credit card then we don’t need it. Early in our marriage my husband and I racked up quite a bit of debt. Now, twelve years later, we are smarter about when to pull out the plastic.

We’ve reduced our spending, but our saving is still on the limp side. Things I can do to help my own personal economy? Stop eating out so much. Stop buying books like it’s my job. Stop going to Target for a quick three things and leaving with a cartful. A good rule with money: treat it with care and respect.

Change #2: Exercise More & Eat Healthier

Who hasn’t contemplated this change? Usually we’re pushing it somewhere around the first of every January. But practicing a healthier lifestyle is the first step to living a healthier life. This one will be easy for me as I have spent the last nine months pregnant. Most of my healthy eating habits and effective exercise routines flew out the door just as my maternity clothing started coming in. Since I could go into labor any second now (maybe even before this column’s deadline), my healthy lifestyle regiment will change considerably in the coming weeks-more time on a treadmill and less time on the couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia.

Change #3: Recycle Reuse Reduce

On the green front, I’d say I’m somewhere between beginner and intermediate. I do what is convenient for me: I recycle glass, paper, and aluminum because those are the recyclable materials that my waste services provider handles. I insist on paper bags at Kroger. Most all of our home is lighted with the funky-looking energy efficient light bulbs that are turned off when we’re not in the room; and we do our best to keep our house’s climate at a steady 74 degrees.

But there are several more ways I can reduce my carbon footprint.

First, I will stop going out just because I feel restless (this will help on the spending front as well). Driving home for lunch needs to be curbed too as I work in Louisville. With a newborn at home, these changes won’t be too difficult to maintain. I will recycle plastic even if I need to find an alternative resource for my recycling needs. Small changes, but it’s a start.

Bonus Change: Tolerance

I am so attached to this year’s election that it has become difficult for me to be open-minded about political ideas different from my own. But, that’s what a democracy is about, right? We each have a voice to choose who we believe will best lead our country. Just because I disagree on a fundamental level with someone else, doesn’t mean I should discount their beliefs.

My tolerance needs to go beyond my choice of political policies. If we could all embrace that we have different thoughts and varying beliefs — and that such differences are good-we would be a much happier, healthier community on the whole.

If this list inspires you, fantastic. If you catch me falling off my change wagon, please call me on it. If you can think of better changes that will make a positive impact in our community and world at large, send them my way (my email address is listed below).

Amy Gesenhues is a freelance writer who lives in Floyd County. You can read her daily commentaries at www.AmyWroteIt.Wordpress.com. E-mail her directly at amy@amywroteit.com.

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