The trappings of convenience

This morning as I was washing dishes I dismantled the little aero press coffee making device that looks like a giant syringe. Once again I rewashed the little ‘disposible’ paper coffee filter thinking “This little puppy is looking ratty.” Then I thought “Aren’t you taking this sustainable thing to the level of absurdity?” I cringed and felt embarrassed.

Then I realized that the hassle of getting replacement filters without a vehicle, with dial-up internet service and with a household cash budget of $40 which also covers propane usage was just not worth doing. I visualized myself cutting old sheets into little circles before I would take three buses to a place in Hilo that carried the filters.

My motivation to simply wash the filter again and again was based on convenience. Ha!

That thought made me smile. In Tom Brown’s book The Grandfather, his “adopted” native American grandfather says in regard to the destructive lifestyle of the modern western white-man, “You are eating your grandchildren for the sake of convenience.” Well, isn’t this a surprising twist.

Originally it was my intentions that created this lifestyle I am living. At first my choices in each moment (in which I was aware that I was about to make a choice) were based on a commitment not to exploit others (including the earth and other lifeforms). This took awareness and discipline and struggle and guilt. But as my life began to transform into greater and greater simplicity, my choices became easier. The convenient choice became more and more the choice in alignment with my intention. Which is really good news because doing anything that relies on constant discipline has never been sustainable for me.