Welcome to The Green Samaritan
Practicing earth-friendly deeds one neighbor at a time.
It was my turn to teach my six year old’s Sunday School class recently and my story was that of The Good Samaritan. One probably most of us have heard – a traveler on his journey is robbed, beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Several responsible citizens including a Priest, come across the man and quickly walk around him and continue on their way. Finally, one man from Samaria stops, gives the injured man medicine and takes him on his donkey to an Inn where he watches over him. The next day, he pays the Innkeeper so the traveler can stay until he is well.
I later thought about that story and how it can apply today in this green movement. Were there times where I could have acted more responsibly but chose to walk around the situation. Not that I was an uncaring person, but either thought someone else would take care of it, didn’t understand the impact of not doing anything at all or perhaps a little out of insecurity or fear because I did not know what to do.
I reflected on my past actions and certainly saw how I was not a Good Samaritan to my environment. If anything, I was a Robber of Resources. I can think of times I wastefully let the water run when I did the dishes or brushed my teeth. Didn’t turn off the lights upstairs before I left the house because I was in a hurry or just too lazy to run back up there. Saw an opportunity to pick up some trash in the park or on the side of the road but figured someone else would do it. For no reason at all, discarded things that could have been recycled or reused. And do I dare admit, opted for plastic over paper and then thoughtlessly used as a wastebasket liner or threw away in the trash! I know there are many more moments of when I could have been a Green Samaritan but ended up as the Robber in a state of environmental unawareness.
While I have improved significantly, there is more I can do to become that good Green Samaritan every day. And not just when I come across an opportunity to respond responsibly, but more importantly being aware and proactive about what is the most eco-friendly choice to make or better yet, habit to break. And thanks to the Internet, access to information to make us more eco-aware is easy so we can all get there someday.
So as I continue down this path of sustainability and environmental awareness, I want to share a few sites, blogs and newsletters you can check out for more great information. One of my favorite e-newsletters is from IdealBite. A quick daily tip with specific suggestions or actions you can take to try out topic of the day. Others helpful sites (in alphabetical order) include:
Most of you probably subscribe to several of these and more (Consider this your eco-deed and post and share your favorites). However, if this is helpful to one person stranded on the side of this environmental road, then I feel I am doing my part to be that good Green Samaritan and perhaps will receive a little redemption for all those eco-sins I’ve committed in the past.
© Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. The Green Samaritan.
amy said,
March 20, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Great Website!!!! I am looking forward to checking out the links, too!
Doreen said,
March 24, 2009 at 6:21 am
Thanks for the mention! I look forward to visiting TGS often!
Jeanne said,
March 24, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Thanks, Doreen – we’re all in it together!
Gigi said,
March 26, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Love your website. It’s fun to read and informative. It reminded me to stop letting the water run for no good reason and, for earth’s sake, to turn off the lights. Good job.