Nice Hippie, Bad Hippie

So maybe those of you who read this will know the specific people I'm talking about. I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that there seem to be two classes of people who love Mama Earth and believe in sustainable living: nice hippies and bad hippies. I think that every little thing someone does to lessen their negative impact on the environment is a positive thing. Why are some people so bent on criticizing those who don't "do enough" in their eyes? These "bad hippies" seem to look down their noses at the rest of us who happen to use a credit card every once in a while, or drink at a Starbucks here and there. Granted, getting your perk at a local coffee shop may have some more positive impacts on the local economy and fair trade practices, but Starbucks is doing some pretty interesting things too (fair trade coffee, promoting compositng), for such a business giant.

Bad hippies seem to forget the hippie golden rule, the golden rule that should govern everyone: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Or in non biblical diction: treat everyone how you would like to be treated. Being nasty to someone because they may have different values is forgetting the hippie golden rule. We all have different values (and life would be pretty boring if we didn't), but we also all have something in common. Each of us is a human being at our root. By this I mean that each of us is vulnerable at times. We all value appreciation of who we are; no one likes to be degraded.

If we want to affect change for the good of the environment, the best way to do so is through caring and compassion. SUV drivers who get the bird during an NAU mass of bikes event are even less likely than before to consider checking out an awesome Prius or Civic hybrid. We all make many choices everyday that affect how much longer Mama Earth will let us stay, so let's choose to be nice hippies and maybe she'll let us stay a little longer.

Give the ax to: bad hippies (obviously).

Thumbs up to: strip-aerobics classes being offered at the NAU rec center, which promote women's love for their own bodies, no matter what shape, size, or level of coordination.