Robert Rosen

This challenge really made me think about my actions.  More importantly, it prompted change in my actions.  For several years, I would buy four bottles of water to keep in my car for my three weekly travel days.  It was for convenience mostly, but I also couldn't trust myself to remember to bring in a refillable bottle everyday when I got home.  To clean it, refill it and bring it with me the next day was a hassle.  So often, I would be halfway down the street before I realized I left it behind.  I challenged myself to stop that practice and take responsibility (read: Be a grown up).  After watching a documentary on water, I have officially stopped my weekly purchase practice.  The lack of available clean/safe water in parts of the world and the plastic bottle crisis lifted the fog on my vision.  I have spent so long taking for granted the gift of clean/safe water available to me in abundance.  There will always be exceptions, but I have committed to myself that I will no longer purchase bottled water.  As a failsafe, i will be keeping a clean, empty bottle in my car if I leave the house without my daily stock.  A quick stop-off to fill it and I'm back on the road.  Perhaps doing that a few times will be enough to teach me and engrain the newly implemented behaviors into my head.  

Thank you for the opportunity to join this challenge. It has absolutely prompted change in my behavior; change that will make the world, even if immeasurable, a cleaner world for us to live in.

Still skipping the straw!  And I'm bringing everything I can with me in the car when I'm in the field so I don't have to buy anything or throw anything away!

Skipping the straw is a funny thing.  Just six months ago, I really didn't give it much thought.  My mother in law was really supporting the "No Straw" movement, but I really didn't understand it, nor the impact that straws have on the environment (the turtles were mom's go-to argument).  After further explanation from her and my own research, I have embraced forgoing the straw.  In fact,. I have been advocating to others to do the same.  This challenge has ratcheted up my awareness further and I take pride in passing on the straw.  

Still striving for greatness here!  I have used only ONE plastic food storage bag this month for my whole family! 

This challenge has really been making me self aware.  I am trying so hard to meet my daily challenges and make a difference. 

I'm just getting started!  I was happy to see that my family and I already do a number of good things, but we sure have some work to do.