Green Girl Takes from 2008 and Gives to 2009

I am currently looking out my kitchen window at the snow spiraling down, masking the world in white. The birds are swarming to the feeders; all of the other animals are holed up away from the storm. It is a very peaceful setting, and one that is putting me in quite a reminiscent mood–perhaps that comes more from the fact that it is New Year’s Eve, however. I have never been one for New Year’s resolutions. They never seem to stick any more than the resolutions I make at any other time. Or, I should say, some resolutions stick and some do not, and it doesn’t seem to matter (at least for me) when said resolutions were made. However, if resolutions are your thing, I say resolve away!

Despite my lack of affinity to resolutions, I do find New Year’s to be a very reflective time; it’s a time to look back on everything that happened over the year, both the good and the bad, and to take what was good and try to make that a more prevalent aspect of the next year. So, what do you think were the highlights of your 2008? Why?

For me, the first thing to come to mind was my job this past summer, in Amy Goldman’s heirloom garden. I must say that it was the hardest job I have ever had, physically. And when I would come home, I would be too exhausted to do anything but collapse. Yet, despite these cons, so many pros came out of it. I have, in all honesty, never been more connected to the Earth and to nature than I was this summer. There is something so grounding about working in the soil, and it gave me such peace of mind. I think that this experience truly pulled me out of a depression that I had gained over freshman year. It reconnected me to myself, to what was important to me, and to the qualities that define who I am. It also put me in the best physical shape I had been in in a long time; using my body all day and being in the sun all day did wonders for my body and for my spirit. I am incredibly grateful for that experience to an extent that I am not capturing in words; you simply have to trust that it gave me new life and new spirit at a time when I was desperately frustrated and unhappy with the life I had adapted in college.

The message I take away from this is one that I without a doubt want to maintain in 2009: Happiness comes from being true to yourself, and connecting to nature is important (at least for me) for grounding myself, de-stressing, and creating a more peaceful state of mind.

Of course there are other experiences. Obama’s election is probably the next thing to come to mind, and we all know the message to take away from that: Hope and change. I urge you to look back on your year and to figure out what really made a difference in your life; then take that experience and explore what made it so important to you. Take the insight you gain and work to incorporate it into your everyday life in 2009; help yourself to make the next year one of abundance, happiness and peace.

Note to self: Maintain self.

Lily Berthold-Bond grew up in a chemical-free zone and has struggled her whole life to understand and accept this non-commercial lifestyle. Now a sophomore at Tufts University, she has embraced her green life and hopes to share its possibilities with the rest of her generation.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Ann E.

6:53AM PDT on Aug 22, 2010

Lovely read, thanks.

send a green star

NO EMAILS P.

1:40AM PDT on Mar 30, 2010

thanks

2:46PM PDT on Mar 29, 2010

YES---I AGREE!

Jennie C.

6:53AM PST on Jan 4, 2010

Go green girl. Now I am growing a plant that MOVES when you Tickle It. Don't say I am nuts yet! Look at this video of the TickleMe Plant. It is selling like crazy as they found a way to make this tropical sensitive plant easy to grow year round indoors.
And yes the leaves really do fold up and even the branches droop when you Tickle It. I can't wait to Tickle My Plant each day. Of course my husband is a bit jealous but I love my TickleMe Plant Just google it or find it at http://www.ticklemeplant.com

10:30AM PST on Dec 30, 2009

good stuff

Marishka k.

3:09PM PST on Dec 28, 2009

i agree

Jane H.

2:52PM PST on Dec 28, 2009

Nature is such a blessing in so many ways. It heals me, too, and I need more of it than I get. Thanks for your good article.

Liz F.

11:11AM PST on Dec 28, 2009

Loved your article!! you have a gift for narrative. I hope your resolution works out!!! Good Luck!!

Kathy G.

10:50AM PST on Jan 3, 2009

Hi Lily. I love your article. You are a very articulate writer, your words are inspiring and creative. I especially like how you worded your feelings about the New Year and resolutions. I do exactly the same thing. I look over the past year, take from it what I want and discard the rest. However, so many people are so into the resolution thing, that they insist my new feelings of the new year are actually resolutions. Whether or not they are, is redundant to me. I really like the idea of reliving the "high" moments and pondering the low moments and starting the new year with a whole fresh new outlook. Thank you for so eloquently putting these feelings into words. I hope you continue to find peace and happiness within yourself!!

Janet G.

7:59AM PST on Jan 3, 2009

Green Girl, and others: check out "Gaia Girls" author Lee Welles' "Silver Lining" prediction on 12/31 Huffington post. It's the link after prediction $4. Right on with what you are saying.

So nice that seminal thinkers are buzzing about the UPside of a down economy!