Dear friends:
We all may rightfully be very upset about the costs of filling up our cars with gas, at this point in time. Greed is at the helm of all this, and of course, none of us could guess who is at the forefront of that circle. But we need not go there; it's beside the point.
The point is this:
Blessings often come in disguises. And if we can see the roses within the thorns, we will be happy instead of just plain ol' feeling the pain of our pricked fingers or psyches. So let's "reframe" this matter in our heads, right now.
Perhaps, as a result of these unbelievable gas prices, more people will ride the bus. More people will carpool. What effect will this have on the environment? Mr Bush, this is the one time that I can say that I honestly have to thank you. Maybe your work against global warming solutions is not going to work, after all. Maybe you are even a big part of the solution right now!
What if....as a result of high gas prices, people simply had no choice but to buy locally-grown food? Because to transport food cross-country, or across the ocean ,will simply cost too much. Therefore, things may end up going more local.
What if the local farmers became the hub of our food supplies? Would genetic engineering have to disappear as the mass-produced foods draw less and less demand?
What if people started walking and biking to the stores to purchase smaller and more frequent supplies, instead of a carful at a time? After all, that is what they do in Europe.
Perhaps as more people start walking or biking to the stores with increased frequency, the obesity rate will drop, heart attacks will not cause people to drop as frequently; diabetes and hypoglycemia will be less of an epidemic...doesn't it all makes sense? With exercise comes good health and even a boost in endorphins and serotonin. Less prozac, anybody? Improved spirits? Yay! Sounds good to me!
Think globally, act locally. This is a very wise saying. Perhaps, as things become more and more localized as a direct result of these horrific gas prices, then the problem of global warming will ease at least a bit. Americans may begin to participate in the solution, at last.
Let's all concentrate on the solution:
Urge your local city council to plan more small stores and shops in your home town, to create increasing numbers of local hubs around the country. This will cut down on traffic and improve the global warming situation, as people drive less and less frequently to the stores, hospitals, and other places...because all will be at the reach of one's fingertips, with good urban planning.
Ask the Cities to make bike paths.
How about sponsoring a *monthly* Walk To School day? How about simply starting this up through your local school? Word will spread, and it becomes The 100th Monkey.
How about YOU arranging with YOUR boss to telecommute to work? If your work is of a nature that this can't happen, how about arranging carpooling?
What about a local shuttle service? Maybe letters to the editor will convince someone that this is a business they would want to go into, using hybrid cars as the vehicle. Green shuttle anyone? I'll bet there would be lots of takers.
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