Living Lightly ... our daughter leads the way

[Aravinda Pillalamarri]

After the earth hour hoopla (couple of weeks ago there was a national call to turn everything off for 1 hour in the evening) our daughter has been very particular about saving electricity, not even using the fan! Summer is already quite hot - 35 degrees and expected to cross 40 soon and that is milder than much of India where it is already 40 and climbing.

Yet, it is surprising how many ways there are to stay cool without using a lot of
electricity (though you do need to have water ... but we found a win-win by
washing clothes - get wet while getting work done too! (and saves electricity if the alternative was using the machine ... which, while we are in Mumbai, it is :-( )

It is really her example that is making all of us more conscientious. She keeps on saying "I am adaptable, I don't mind temperatures." Yesterday I cleaned the shelves and rearranged the books and worked up a sweat by the end of it. It was then I rediscovered sweat - it really feels good. In spite of the afternoon heat and all my exertions moving books here and there, I felt fresh and energized. If you have enough water to drink and aren't directly under the beatng sun, there is no reason to wilt in the summer heat.

What has this to do with learning ... it is learning one of the most important skills of all, living lightly on the earth. both from perspective of niti (principle), because it is the right thing to do, and rananiti (strategy) because it makes you less vulnerable to the pull of the rat race of consumption and conspicious consumption.

[Katherine Vyn]

i love this! how beautiful to live lightly on the earth...walk lightly upon the earth and not leave any footprints even. so wonderful. it feels so nice. and what a wonderful lesson for a child to learn, what great inspiration to feel this in your heart. then you truly feel the joy from the center of the earth radiate through your whole being. i love india! i was there with my daughter when she was 4 years old, almost 7 years ago. so lovely.

[Aravinda Pillalamarri]

Thanks everyone! I will show this to her. She takes quite a bit of pride in being "adaptable."
A useful skill in tight spots. Esp now that we are having power outages...

[Tawha Amalia]

kids learn kids teach..they also remind us what we forget and loose phocus on it..they are our guides as much we are theirs..they are the future generation and their early consciousness about the enviroment is crucial..
Tell your daughter that she is wonderfull, the world needs kids like her, conscious and care..

[Jessie Voigts]

this is WONDERFUL!! i love it!

[Meredith]

I love your daughter's comment "I am adaptable". That just sums up so much of my life, thanks!