How grateful are you? Does it matter? Actually it does. And, with the New Year now underway, creating an attitude of green gratitude may be the very component needed to create a bright and prosperous year ahead.
According to the post, Thank You. No, Thank you, “adults who frequently feel grateful have more energy, more optimism, more social connections and more happiness than those who do not.” From sustainability viewpoint, how does one express gratitude? Consider the qualities of kindness, generosity and willingness.
- Kindness in a sustainable lifestyle is not only being kind to our planet, but kind to each other. Compassion for where each of us is in relation to the green path.
- Generosity in green living is not only sharing eco awareness and eco resources, but also going above and beyond to inspire, promote, and encourage others on the green path.
- Willingness in green living is demonstrating your values through eco action and generating results.
Another approach is appreciating nature. The post, Nature: The Natural Mood Enhancer, suggest paying attention to the natural world not only makes you feel better, it makes you behave better. As Albert Einstein said, “It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” Viewed from a sustainability perspective, that can take many forms. As in, caring for the Earth’s resources from a physical and material perspective, but also in how our individual thoughts of eco awareness and behavior shapes that caring.
How Green Gratitude Pays it Forward republished with permission from the Taiga Company blog.
Julie
Julie Urlaub is Founder & Managing Partner of Taiga Company, a sustainability consulting firm located in Houston, Texas dedicated to accelerating the integration of sustainability concepts in business. Today, Julie speaks, writes, and advises clients on a variety of issues related to the intersection between environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices. Her writing has been featured in SocialYell’s Corporate Advice, the GreenEcomonyPost, the Business Exchange and, the ThinkGreenAlliance. Connect with Taiga Company on Facebook and Twitter. Also Find Julie on LinkedIn.
