Clothesline Zen

One of the best things we ever did was to put up a clothesline in our backyard.  I don't see many in our neighborhood and I can't understand why.  We bought ours from The Clothesline Shop and it has saved us thousands of dollars in utility bills since we rarely use our drier any more.

The clothesline actually has many other benefits.  I find it relaxing to hang the clothes, being in the fresh air, looking at the trees, the garden, watching birds and the sky at the same time.  It keeps me in touch with nature on a daily basis. It is ironic and odd that many of the older, analog devices and technologies many of us have abandoned, are actually more relaxing and physically beneficial than our new, advanced, digital competitors.

Turn hassles into opportunities

When we go shopping at our local Trader Joe's supermarket there is always a battle for parking spaces.  Cars will be hovering waiting to get the closest spot to the store while other honk angrily and jockey for position.  Why not turn this into a positive?  Just drive away and park far from the store.  Why would anyone do this?

1)  You will get an opportunity to walk and burn some calories.
2)  You will save gas, which comes from fossil fuels our country wastes flagrantly.
3)  You will calm yourself and reduce stress.

Here's another example.  Penn Station is a giant subway station in New York City.  The entrance has long escalators that are inevitably packed with commuters.  There are perfectly good stairs that are hardly used.  Why not just take the stairs instead of the escalator?  Stair climbs are a great exercise and if you do this regularly you will definitely increase the strength of your legs and probably reduce potential joint problems with your knees.

The bottom line is, be on the lookout for ways you can turn obstacles or hassles into opportunities to save energy and to get exercise.