Reflections
Energy Shift and Empowerment:
Park the Car and Ride the Bus!
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Ok, so perhaps I can't end the War in Iraq or stop boats from polluting the water on Lake Whatcom. But I CAN do something to make an impact on my own personal life, reduce my own fuel consumption substantially, and escape the war of commuter traffic -- I can ride the bus. |
Having lived in Whatcom County for almost thirty years, raised in a society of speed, schedules, and appointments, it has never occurred to me that public transportation would be more efficient than driving my own automobile. I'm used to jumping in the car when I want to get to my destinations. Why wait for a bus? But after gas prices rose over $2/gal, I re-examined some of my poor habits. Every day I tend to run errands ... to the post office, stores, bank, and library in Ferndale, and occasionally into Bellingham, where I frequently stop at least 3-5 places before returning home. Those little trips around town add up! I've been driving an average of 950 miles a month, that's about three or four tanks a gas a month!
Imagine the difference in my budget, now that I ride the bus. A monthly pass ($15 -- or $14.25 at Haggens) is a far cry cheaper than the $90-100 I'd be paying now if my habit were to continue. In fact, there are even greater savings upcoming when I purchase my annual pass in January. I'll be able to go just about anywhere I need to go for $150/year...that's less than what I'd be paying for two months gas in my car ... not to mention the oil changes and service calls. What an empowering feeling to know that I can make an impact on the petroleum industry and my own pocketbook for a whoping savings of $1200--perhaps $1500 a year!Riding the bus costs about 1/10th that of driving my car, not even factoring in the maintenance and insurance savings.
Furthermore, I'm finding that my day is better structured: I have more time to relax, read, even doze if I want. An added benefit is the extra walking between bus stops and businesses. My weight is shifting from my hips into my hip pocket, and it feels much more empowering to travel through my day and go where I want. Life feels less stressful now that I've moved out of the fast lane and onto the bus.
Feeling stressed? Park the car. Take a break from your routine and stroll over to the closest bus stop. Break free from parking meters and traffic signals. Get where you're wanting to go without having people cut in front of you in traffic or worrying about speed. Relax and enjoy the ride.
Beth
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