Ziplocs = Luxury

This past year in our ethics class we talked a lot about habits. We thought a lot about why we do the things we do and the importance of being purposeful in the habits that we form. I don't remember if it was in this particular class, but at one point my friend Kate wrote a paper about how she washed out her Ziploc bags. She talked about how she learned this by watching her grandma, how she made a homemade 'drying line' for her Ziplocs and had some poetic line about how each time she washed out a bag she thought of caring for God's creation. While this may be true (the fact that she thought about it every time, not the fact that it is indeed better for creation), we did manage to find a way to tease her about it every now and again.

But I tell you what, I don't throw away Ziplocs too much anymore and I think about Kate (and God, creation, and all that other Save the Earth stuff, of course) every time I do.

Elizabeth and I were talking about washing Ziplocs this morning as she washed her Ziplocs. She can't believe that people throw out Ziplocs, but at the same time recognizes that she didn't think this way before moving to Africa where Ziplocs are scarce and dang expensive. They are somewhat of a luxury item. I wouldn't say the typical North American would think this way (Ziploc = Luxury). And I think that's okay. What I don't think is okay, however, is that we often don't care to make an extra effort to do something (i.e. walk or ride our bike instead of drive, recycle, eat only locally produced foods or wash our Ziplocs) until it is too pricey to do otherwise, convenient for us, or trendy to do so.

So, if you need tips on how to make your own drying line for Ziplocs, I am sure my friend Kate would be happy to help you.