Green The Space You Are In… Sustainablity is Everywhere

// June 11th, 2008

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Even Time Out New York gets a green make-over

I have to say that I really enjoy writing for Eco Child’s Play, the natural green parenting blog; a gig I started right after Layla was born. I especially enjoy reading the editor of ECP, Jennifer Lance, because she lives a totally sustainable life, off grid, on 160 acres of land. And she writes about Modern Day Homesteading and how many families now a days are returning to the Earth to live a more “simpler live” I could totally see myself doing this in the future.

For a year, when I was sixteen, I got to live on my grandparent’s 80 acre farm in rural Washington. I never felt so connected with nature and loved the simplicity, the practicality, of life. I would hand pick blackberries to make blackberry jam. We had a small garden where we would pick off the vegetables we needed for the night. There was the twin Jersey cows, Dusty and Rusty, who would end up being their meat source when they were all grown up. A wood burning fireplace that warmed up the house and blankets that was supplemented for the areas that the heat didn’t reach. It was a very special time in my life.

Then in my early 20’s; I moved to New York City. The epicenter of the world and I was farthest removed from nature as possible. Here, nature lived in small community gardens (My favorite being on W. 46th st. Between 9th and 10th.) the Cloisters up in Inwood and Central Park which is regarded as a sacred green space by all Manhattanites. It is ironic that this is where I started to become more aware about Eco-conscious living. (You can read about my journey to green life )

Then a year ago, I moved to rural part of PA with EC and I became reacquainted with nature. However, I sorely missed the hustle and bustle of the city and being in the middle of it all. I missed the vibrant energy and being around the movers and shakers. I felt as if I was in an exile.

So I ask myself the question. Should I try to live off the land as so many families are now doing so, or would I be happier as an urbanite who embraces the city AND the green life? It’s a hard question to answer. There’s something invariably beautiful about living off the land. There’s an interconnectedness that’s indescribable, but I also see value in being in middle of it all and making a difference from macro perspective. I think at the end; you have to be true to who you are. So although I am inspired by modern day homesteading; it’s more an idyllic utopia for me than something I aspire to. For now, anyways.

So whether you are a land dweller or a concrete jungle lover; green the space you are in and make it a better place in your own way. Sustainability happens everywhere.

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