Suddenly becoming earth-friendly at middle age can frighten those around us. Especially those who think it is “just some trend. I’ve tried before. I began recycling many years ago, and other than taking organic vitamins and trying my best to eat natural foods both of which I still do.

Then, at age fifty-three, which I am now, I had an epiphany. I had been a part of the worst generation for this planet. The guilt started setting in like snowflakes on a windy North Dakota winter night. I am a baby boomer. I was a part of the peace, love, Woodstock generation. Other than learn to talk back to our government (which actually turned out to be a good thing), we didn’t do a lot for the planet. We smoked (and sometimes not just cigarettes). We drank too much. We drove V8’s and used premium gas. And we thought we were “saving the planet”??? It simply shows how deluded one can get, if one gets involved in “a movement”. And though, I must say some very decent music came out of that generation that is often copied, never duplicated, most of us that came out of it, merely survived it.

I really cannot, as a former male hippie (take note: am still a male) think of much our generation did to help our environment and quality of life.

I am astounded that I am still alive after my early college years of eating sardines, peanut butter, and Big Macs. And we were “children of the earth”??? I don’t think so. Keep in mind we were doing the best we could given the tools (or lack thereof) handed to us. I am sure our parents, professors, and other elders were more confused than us as to what was happening to our planet. We had no instant access to information. No Google, cell phones, Internet. Not even a Blue tooth. How, oh how, did we ever get by?

So I did my damage and made my amends. The question is, what now, can I, as one human, do to make the world a better place? I can first of all make me better. I believe Gandhi was correct when he says “Become the change you want to see”. So I exercise and watch my diet. I try to wear earth-friendly clothing and use organic cleaners in my home. I eat organic. I don’t do this all the time, but it is a process. And it is a journey. And it is part of my growth. And it is proof to myself that it is never too late to do a little something, no matter how little, to modify my own behavior to do better. I can’t change anyone else. I can barely change me. We do change though if we are truly motivated to change.

Why not practice beingg earth-friendly or eco-friendly behavior. It has value. Try a few forums and blogs and get to know some of the people who are doing things. You would be surprised at their joy and happiness and sense of fulfillment many of them have. And it is contagious. We’re all in this together. Let’s learn to do it right.