I have been thinking a lot lately about the burden that being Mennonite has put on me. :) I am not completely serious about the burden part, but I do feel a bit of a conflict. I have been instilled with the value of being a good steward of the earth. For me, this means caring about the environment by recycling, bringing my own bags to the grocery store (most of the time, when I don't forget), driving a more fuel efficient car and trying not to drive too much, etc. Being a Mennonite, at least in the Mennonite circles I was raised in and now surround myself with, I also feel that social justice is very important - peace issues, human rights, fair trade etc. So, all these things make me really want to buy organic foods, buy locally, support small businesses etc.
However, the other part of my Mennoliciousness that I feel can sometimes contradict this desire is that I am so dang frugal!! Sometimes it can be really hard for me to buy a book or CD from a funky local store because I can get it for cheap online from a mega company, or get organic foods when I see the "regular" options are half the price. It can really bug me sometimes! I really do think that my frugality is less important in a way.... But then I think of all the starving people around the world, and maybe I should be giving more money to organizations feeding them instead of putting that money into "specialty/organic" foods for myself. I know buying organic foods isn't all selfish, in fact it is better for the environment, but sometimes I feel like I am spoiling myself too. I have been buying organic milk, bananas, baby carrots, and sometimes other stuff too. I really can't afford to buy ALL organic, but I could stand to do more probably.
I just keep going in circles about it!
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