Sustainability

"Much of what the media interpret as a global trend toward frugality is actually a recession-driven manifestation of a more encompassing sustainability megatrend, reflecting a shift toward an environmentally conscious, less showy lifestyle."

The above quote is from a BCG article on the economic downturn.  It cannot ring more true about what I believe about the world, and the environment I live in.

I think I was born lean.  Yes I have been chubby all my life, but my thinking about reduce waste & consumption, is something that I strangely adopted for most of my life.  Not sure whether it's that Recycle song on Radio 4, or the water-saving documentaries they showed on TV2, that made me think my household was just using too much plastic bags.  Alas, when I thought being a consultant is perfect to apply lean thinking, I find consultancies are just another business opportunity-type job created by bullshit-acing Americans.

As much as people preach Less is More, I have concluded that the majority of humankind believe more is more.  Blame the consumer culture on mass media, I will.  Also, it helps that I believe Jesus' teaching on being poor, ie stripped of material goods aka hermit-like in other religions, is the truly sustainable way of living.  Why live sustainably?  That's a question that most people couldn't care less.  But I believe it is my way of showing God that the beautiful Earth that he created, is appreciated.  And humankind can survive beyond 3 generations from now.

Well, I think I'm weird enough, so here are some actions that I (un)consciously practice for a sustainable future:
-  when driving alone at night/cloudy day, I tend to turn off the air-con and wind down the windows, unless I'm in the middle of a traffic jam
- I cannot understand why people like to turn down the temperature for air-conditioning, when what they want is cool air, they end up freezing and using blankets to keep warm
- I try my best to bring plastic bags everywhere I go for reuse, and ergonomic bags while grocery shopping
- I always plan out in my mind the shortest route possible, even if it's just to vacuum the house
- I only use flush toilets when necessary, as a gazillion tons of water is wasted everytime we flush
- I realise if I get a house, I actually would not want a TV in the house, and think everyone should sit on tatami mats in the living room (which is not possible considering my mum has a bad back)

I realise there are so many more things, like being anal about switching off lights, cleaning out cabinets, throwing away old CDs which I don't listen to anymore etc.  This is why I think cars are a waste of resources.  This is why I think communism is great.  That is why I think money is not everything.  It's what you give that matters, not what you get.


Thank goodness I am an INTJ.  That I know how to balance practicality with ideals like sustainable living.

如烟

我坐在床前 望着窗外 回忆满天
生命是华丽错觉 时间是贼 偷走一切
七岁的那一年 抓住那只蝉 以为能抓住夏天
十七岁的那年 吻过他的脸 就以为和他能永远

Seated on the bed, looking out the window, filled with memories
Life is a beautiful illusion, time is a thief, who steals all of it
I was seven, cicada in hand, holding onto an eternal summer
I was seventeen, kissed her cheek, destined to be together, forever

有没有那么一种永远 永远不改变 拥抱过的美丽都 再也不破碎
让险峻岁月不能在脸上撒野 让生离和死别都遥远 有谁能听见

Is there a Forever, which never changes, a beauty embraced which never crumbles
The winds of time do not age our faces, life and death are faraway places
Who can hear us?

我坐在床前 转过头看 谁在沉睡
那一张苍老的脸 好像是我 紧闭双眼
曾经是爱我的 和我深爱的 都围绕在我身边
带不走的那些 遗憾和眷恋 就化成最后一滴眼泪

Seated on the bed, looking behind, whom is asleep
An aging face, a face like mine, his eyes closed tight
Those that loved me, those that I loved, surrounds me
Those left behind, the longing and regret, become this last tear I shed
有没有那么一滴眼泪 能洗掉后悔 化成大雨降落在 回不去的街
再给我一次机会 将故事改写 还欠了他一生的 一句抱歉
有没有那么一个世界 永远不天黑 星星太阳万物都 听我的指挥
月亮不忙着圆缺 春天不走远 树梢紧紧拥抱着树叶 有谁能听见

Is there a Teardrop, which washes away regret, like rain in a forgotten alley
Give me another chance to rewrite this story, I still owe her a lifetime of apology

Is there a World, which is never dark, where all creation listen to my command
A half-moon never full, a summer never far, branches and leaves cling together as one
Who can hear us?
耳际 眼前 此生重演 是我来自漆黑 而又回归漆黑
人间 瞬间 天地之间 下次我 又是谁

Through my ears, before my eyes, this life replays
I come from darkness, still I return to darkness
My life flashes by, within heaven and earth,
Who will I be, the next time coming?

有没有那么一朵玫瑰 永远不凋谢 永远骄傲和完美 永远不妥协
为何人生最后会像一张纸屑 还不如一片花瓣曾经鲜艳
有没有那么一张书签 停止那一天 最单纯的笑脸和 最美那一年
书包里面装满了蛋糕和汽水 双眼只有无猜和无邪 让我们无法无天

Is there a Rose, which never wilts, proud and perfect forever, no compromises
Why does life, end like a shred of paper, unlike the petals of a rose, once admired

Is there a Bookmark, which pauses the day, the most genuine smile, the most wonderful year
Bags with cake and drink, eyes with trust and wonder,
Days of being wild, forever

有没有那么一首诗篇 找不到句点 青春永远定居在 我们的岁月
男孩和女孩都有吉他和舞鞋 笑忘人间的苦痛 只有甜美
有没有那么一个明天 重头活一遍 让我再次感受曾 挥霍的昨天
无论生存或生活 我都不浪费 不让故事这么的后悔

Is there a Poem, which never ends, where youth forever remains in our hands
Boys play the guitar, girls slip on dance shoes, forgetting the bitter, remembering only sweetness

Is there a Tomorrow, which I can relive, the glories of yesteryear
No matter how I lived, I do not waste, will never let this story end, with regrets to ponder
有谁能听见 我不要告别
我坐在床前 看着指尖 已经如烟

Who can hear us?  I don't want to leave
Seated on the bed, looking at my fingers
They are - like smoke...