I have some very good friends in Atlanta, in Georgia in the U.S. I often tease them of being the "most American people I know."
As a married couple - let's call them Jack and Jill - with kids across the U.S., they fly a lot. They are also big consumers of stuff (though that has changed), and they socialise all of the time.
However, they are gracious enough to indulge my constant nagging about being more sustainable. They bring their open minds and a desire to do better.
As their awareness of the consequences of what they do, they have made a number of lifestyle choices that reduce their impact on the planet (and on their grandchildren)!
Earlier this year I was speaking to them on a video call, when Jill said "I got to go, there is this really cute outfit I saw in the store that I need to get."
I couldn't help myself. "Do you really need it? Is this what you want to be doing today? What is the worst thing that would happen if you didn't buy the outfit?"
Jill responded "You know what, you are right, I probably don't need it."
I remember this was the 12th of February, so going with the momentum I had I said. "Would you guys take a challenge for me? Will you see if you can get to the end of the month with buying any stuff, just food and gas for the car?"
Jill, always one to rise to a challenge, "I can certainly do that!"
Months later Jack called me. "We are sticking with that challenge. I don't think Jill has bought anything in the last three months, and though I don't usually buy much anyway, I'm now thinking a lot harder about anything we need, and asking our kids to do the same."
Jack and Jill are good people, and like many good people, will choose to do the right thing, if given the opportunity to think about it.
At a more macro level, this translates for all of us into a question about what choices we make, what we want to do with our lives.
Through years of working with WITNESS, the amazing human rights video that he founded, I got to know Peter Gabriel pretty well. He aways had a deep insight into the real questions we should ask.
"Is this really what you want to be doing today?"
WYN BEAUTY by Serena Williams She looks impressive and her #hairstyle likewise.