Four leaf clovers have an association of good luck. Living green is a means of bringing good fortune to the future of our planet by responsibly managing resources. How can each clover on a 4 leaf clover reveal the virtuous aspects of living green?
Hope: Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. With the over saturation of negative media today, it’s easy to lose sight of good things to come. Identify areas in your life or business or personal life that have an environmental impact and that you are also willing to change and improve. Look at going paperless at home or in your office, perhaps improving air quality or maybe start recycling. These changes don’t have to be hard or cumbersome, create an expectation of ease of transition using hope. Hope for good things to come in your life, work, and for the environment.
Faith: Faith is the confident belief in the truth of or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. Focus your attention with anticipation of a positive outcome. Stretch your imagination and take action. If you started a paperless program or energy efficiency program as part of your sustainability plan, then start looking for the savings on a monthly and quarterly basis. Intangible benefits that aren’t as easily measured may be the first evidence of taking action based on faith: improved employee morale, stakeholder impressions changing for the better or family members and neighbors feeling good about taking environmental action.
Love: Find appreciation in what is working in your life and your business. Have you noticed that what you focus on expands? Why not appreciate a job well done? Share and reach out in your community. Businesses extend latitude towards customers and vendors. Love your life, your business, and love our planet.
Luck: Create your own pot of gold. The actions we take today create our tomorrow. Invest in sustainability concepts in your business and your life for a better tomorrow: waste reduction, energy efficiency, recycling programs, water conservation, community involvement, sustainable businesses practices, living a sustainable lifestyle and invest in socially responsible investing.
Green living is an expression of demonstrated values. When others see you living a sustainable lifestyle, and see that you are enjoying it, it inspires them to make similar efforts for themselves. Like a four leaf clover, we can share good fortune with each other and our planet.
