“The Virtuous stands like a green pine. While the non-virtuous blooms like a flower. The pine may not be as brilliant as the flower but when frost comes, the pine will still stand tall, while the flower will be seen no more.”  Dharma Words

Where you spend your money matters;    it may make a much bigger impact               than  you could ever imagine.

Making conscious decisions and choices about what we put in and on our bodies, where we get those items from and how we use them, our resources-our energy- makes a difference. It would be impossible to ‘do something about’ every company or product we don’t like. And focusing on all of the ‘bad’ or negative choices we, those companies, or the people around us make- could drive anyone crazy. I am not condoning unethical behavior or choices; I am simply giving an alternative to that thinking: focus on the positive and support the companies and products that you do agree with.

Ken Wilbur defines it perfectly. “Conscious business…business that is conscious of inner and outer worlds…would therefore be business that takes into account body, mind, and spirit in self, culture, and nature. Put differently, conscious business would be mindful of the way that the spectrum of consciousness operates in the Big Three worlds of self and culture and nature.”

How do you choose?  Simple. Find companies, people and products that fit ‘who you are’ and what you believe and/or donate to causes that you support.

What if you put your energy into buying from only conscious companies and people? Or buying products from countries that you agree with their customs and ethics? What kind of difference could you make? Margret Mead is famous for her saying, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.”

Watch those thoughts that creep in to defeat your goals. Thoughts and justifications like, “It doesn’t really matter.”  Or, “It’s only a few dollars.” And, “But I really like/want this now.” And what do we do about all the excuses that run through our minds?  Maybe we even say them out loud or voice them to those around us… “It’s such a hassle.” Or “I don’t have time.” Or “It’s too expensive…”  To what? Set a good example and stand up for what you believe in? Reduce waste? Go organic? Buy cruelty free? Get your clothes and furniture from companies that pay fair wages and treat their employees well? Find your diamonds from conflict free zones? Buy better quality items for ourselves and our families? If you put all that together, could you imagine saying the negative truths, “I decided to go with the toxic detergent for my baby’s clothes. It was 5 cents cheaper a gallon.” Or “Wow. How much did you pay for that jacket? I got mine for 20 bucks! It’s a great deal- some 7 year old in a sweat shop made it in one day! They don’t get breaks, you know. That’s why it’s so cheap!” Or how about, “Careful honey, don’t get that in your eyes, they tested it on bunnies. It makes them scratch so much, that they end up going blind. But it makes your hair look really cute.” I could go on and on… you get the point. It’s as with anything, as soon as you say it out loud, read it, or hear it from someone else- it makes you think. Whenever I would prefer to turn a blind eye, I think of this quote by Albert Schwetzer:  ‘Think occasionally of the suffering which you spare yourself the sight” –and then I wonder…  “What is it that I really don’t know?” And then the choice is easy for me. There’s many more challenges and sorrows in this world than I could ever comprehend, so, if I know about ‘this’, that should be enough. And it is.

There’s a metaphysical theory  (it’s beginning to gain popularity in some scientific circles now, too) about the transference of energy, of life force, from every living being to another; that we are all connected. There is an esoteric teaching that reminds us that even if we are not consciously aware of what we are doing, eating, or wearing, we are (still) ‘tuning into’ or ‘picking up’ the energy of that object, how it was made and where it came from, subconsciously and ‘absorbing’ it. Think about that for a moment. Everything that you surround yourself with has an impact on you. And that it affects you on various subtle levels. That’s powerful. And amazing. And exciting. You have complete and total control of this. It is about consciousness.

This article, is not intended to send you into a panic or fill you with guilt, or make you clean out everything thing you own, or to coheres you into buying some special product or brand. This isn’t a dooms day message or a sales pitch, it’s meant to remind you that you have options and choices about you- your life and how you care for it. It’s to remind you- that everything you do makes a difference. You make a difference. You count. You are important. You matter. You have a larger voice and more power, in so many ways, than you may realize. William Faulkner reminds us that by taking the little steps, we can achieve great things. “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

When you are making your choices, think of this quote:

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” –Mother Teresa of Calcutta

And when you can’t be there, let it be your money and purchases that speak for you. “The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” – Gaylord Nelson

Namaste.

A man arriving in Heaven got to ask God one question.
He asked,
"The world I left had so much poverty, disease, and evil.
Why didn't you send someone to help?"
And God answered, "I did. I sent you."
-Unknown