I’ve been a journal keeper for most of my life. In fact, I still have the first journal I ever wrote in. It dates back to 1980 and begins with the statement “wills in the back of the book” and “all of my toys and stuffed animals should be divided among my friends and my clothes sold and money given to mommy and daddy.” It can be fun and a source of inspiration and learning to go back and read these journals to see the many ways in which we have (and haven’t) changed over the years.

This past weekend, I was looking through an old journal and stumbled on some notes I’d written after a yoga class a couple of years ago. The class was taught by a Portland yoga teacher for whom I have a great deal of respect. She shared with us a definition of the concept of wisdom, from Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hahn, that went something like this; wisdom is putting off or foregoing something desirable in the short term because we know it will bring us greater happiness in the long term if we do.

The definition resonated with me and reminded me of the definition of sustainability. Or, living and using our resources in a way that they can regenerate, to support life tomorrow. One of the ways I interpret this is replacing the needs and desires of “me” with care and concern for “us.”

Does this mean going without? Not in my mind. Today’s green movement differs from that of the past in asserting that you can live well and live sustainably. It just takes some retooling of how we define living well. Does this sound like going without? Growing your own food, or getting it from a local farmer – smelling the fresh soil, feeling the sun on your skin, watching with excitement as the green shoots start to sprout leaves and eventually, fruit? How about sharing quality time playing games at home with friends and loved ones? Using an item of clothing so thoroughly that it begins to wear out, rather than languishing in your closet? Weatherizing your home so that your heating fuel lasts longer, you’re more comfortable and you save money? Instead of going to the gym (spending time and money), riding your bicycle or walking to do an errand, rather than hopping in the car?

Who knew we could be so wise.