Baby Steps

After I posted my initial post in this blog, I got a number of responses from my friends and readers offering all sorts of excuses about why, even though they admired what I was doing very much, they could not take the leap and follow me into the carfree existence. "Too many kids' activities." "I have to wear a suit, it gets hot, and I get sweaty." "I live too far away."

I am flattered and somewhat surprised that people felt inspired to follow my leap into the carfree yonder, but I don't expect anyone to just toss their keys into the Pacific and take up the carfree life, all at once. I certainly didn't do it that way.

My first dabble in the carfree life came a little over four years ago when a medical condition coupled with a horrible local accident caused by a medically disabled driver, led my doctor to prohibit driving for six months. I sold the SUV that I owned then out from under my lease and got started commuting back and forth to the office on the Big Blue Bus. Today's busses are not what you imagine. They are bright, modern and roomy -- although they could still use a little more leg room if you ask a guy who is 6'3" like me.

After almost six months on the bus (I cheated), I got my last car, smaller and more fuel efficient because by that time, my friend Katayoun said "If you really want to stick it to Sadaam (or any other bad actor in the middle east) sell your gas guzzler." So I was inspired to cut back on consumption a little.

Then, as we have already seen, I gradual got back into walking this year. By the way, I sold the car this weekend, so now I am truly carfree! Anyway, my message to my apparently guilt ridden friends who feel complained to explain to me is to do a little something even if you can't make a grand gesture.

First, take one day a week as bus day. Pick a day that's convenient for you and leave your car parked for the day. Choose a day with a minimum of required travel -- maybe your Sabbath, or maybe just a day when back and forth to work is all you have to do. It doesn't have to be the same day each week, but try to make it once a week. Imagine if we cut down the number of cars on the road by 15%?

Then make a list of everyplace you ever go that is a half mile or less from your house. Don't ever drive to one of these locations. It not only wastes gas and pollutes. It wastes time. Walking a half mile or less is time efficient over driving. Gradually stretch your circle out toward a mile if you can. You'll be amazed at how good walking feels if you just try it out for a while.

Doing just these two small things will suffice to give you a taste of the carfree life. Some of us, having once tasted the sweetness, want even more. Maybe someday you'll find yourself looking at your formerly beloved car and wondering, "Why do I even need you? What did I ever see in you? Do I even feel like supporting you anymore?"

Then maybe you will join me, experiencing the carfree life.

In the meantime . . . baby steps. Baby steps. Baby steps to a cleaner planet, thinner waist, clearer head.