GREENWALAFICATION FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS :)

So many members of Greenwala come from different walks in life. Our cultural backgrounds, economic circumstances and academic experiences may be diverse, but we all share one common interest, which is to help reduce the toll that modern society has taken on planet Earth. Each one of us calls the singular, life-sustaining rock that we live on our home, but whether through word-of-mouth, personal research or media coverage, we are all acutely aware of its ailing health.

Rather than wallowing in the panic-factor or becoming immobilized by the vast scale of environmental issues that seem to be well beyond the reach of the mere mortal, Greenwalas focus on the power of “we.” Doubt can oftentimes eclipse the grand intentions of a single person, but thanks to the sweeping power of the internet, Greenwalas who convene right here in cyberspace are instantly transformed into empowered citizen journalists who gain the ability to touch lives and stimulate personal growth on a regular basis.

By nature, we tend to take things in our life for granted, however, if this community has taught me one thing, it’s to remember that we are all blessed to have this opportunity to share our thoughts with anyone who cares enough to read them. The very act of writing a message and sending it out into world is not only liberating and exciting but as such, also quite exposing and challenging. It forces us to open ourselves up and exercise enough confidence to believe that what we are expressing is valuable enough for an audience. We may risk potential scrutiny, but at the same time, there’s no doubt that we also benefit from the simple kindness of community members who take a moment in time to offer their own perspective on what we have written. Oftentimes, it is their feedback and our ability to brainstorm with them that makes the whole act of submitting a new blog post all the more fulfilling. It reminds us that we are not alone and that our personal thoughts actually have gravity beyond the safe zone in our heads.

The exchanges I’ve been fortunate enough to have with so many Greenwala members have genuinely contributed to my overall greenlightenment and general enthusiasm for being eco-responsible. I’ve also really appreciated the brainstorming and socialization aspect of getting to know everyone and feel 100% richer because of it. While it is true that I seem to read every environmental publication and green website within my gaze, so much of my knowledge base has been gleaned from the content that Greenwalas have provided. What makes the information so much more impactful in my head is that it is dispensed by real people with whom I have established a genuine connection. I may not ever have the opportunity to meet them face-to-face in the real world, but in the green online world that we share together, we are sowing the seeds of friendship which help to propel forward an ongoing, community generated eco-think tank.

Case in point. I never would have known about Ecoplanters were it not for sksaini’s March 21st post or his subsequent revelation that the 100% biodegradable pots are made out of a corn husk, rice husk and bamboo combo. Ditto for GreenGuy’s popular and well-commented January 28th post on the detrimental eco-effects of the lingerie industry – I've just recently ditched my toxic skivvies thanks to him. Meena’s homemade paper tutorial using bills and envelopes was so neato that I told my sister (who has 4 children) and she told her friend (who has 3 children), and so on and so on.

Justine’s account of electro-kinetic speed bumps made me realize that our ability to tap into the potential energy sources around us is merely limited by our collective imagination. I also read Gita’s post on the toxicity of Holi colors and organic alternatives with great interest. Thanks to her explanation of the popular Hindu spring festival, I am inclined to celebrate the Festival of Colors with my young nephews just because it seems like such a spirited, wonderfully happy tradition.

Speaking of different cultures, it’s been a pleasure reading the contributions of our cheerful Turkish agricultural experts, Ahmet Korkmaz and Viktor Korpashev. Ahmet (or Achmed, as he initially introduced himself…possibly because he thought that Americans wouldn’t be able to pronounce his real name easily?! Really??) burst onto the scene with his enthusiastic ode to plants, farming and all things green. He’s since picked up speed as the weeks have passed with the introduction of his writing partner-in-crime, Viktor. Together, they have amassed quite a collection of informative articles on their website but they are also setting their sights on generating unique posts for our community that cover issues that are specifically relevant to you and me. That makes me smile.

All in all, I guess that I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who takes time out of their life to check in now and again and share a little bit of themselves with everyone here. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and learning a little something new and different every day. While my green journey has really just begun, I can’t help but notice that my daily habits have definitely changed for the better thanks to all of you. For every cool green tidbit, article and link that you post, my brain is constantly stimulated -- even if the topic really isn't "my thing." The bottom line in all of this is that you keep me thinking, long after I've turned off my computer. I sincerely hope that I am able to return the favor.