About two months ago in my efforts to be greener I purchased and now use daily real silverware and dishes at lunch. For the longest time I was eating every meal out. I began eating at my office because it’s less expensive, and it’s healthier because I’m less tempted to eat too much or to choose unhealthy options. Well, once I started eating at my office I also started using plastic silverware, paper plates, and even before that I was using several plastic or styrofoam cups in court and in my office daily. Now I eat my lunch on real dishes and with real silverware, which somehow makes eating lunch at my office seem better. I take a travel mug of ice water to court with me and either drink water throughout the day from that or from an oversized coffee mug in my office. The only negative is that now I have to do more dishes, but I think the benefits outweigh that.

I went to the gym today and actually ran one mile without stopping, which is something I probably haven’t done in about nine years. This certainly wasn’t the fastest that I’ve ever run a mile, but the point is that I did it, and it’s a step in the right direction toward my goals. Recently I also started taking vitamins. I now take three caplets which contain B complex, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, B-12, Iron, Calcium, and Vitamin D. I feel less fatigued and more energized. I think these vitamins are going to be good for me in general, but will make me healthy enough to enjoy exercising.

I went to the Ichimura Japanese garden after work today.  I was the only person there.  It was quite peaceful.  The only sounds were the rushing water, insects, and lizards, and the rustle of plants.  I will definitely return in the future.  It seems like a great place to meditate, think, or just relax.

I was reading this post that is part of the blog about The Happiness Project. The author suggests that you should make a list of personal commandments to live by. I think for a while I’ve had this idea in my head. So my list is below. I didn’t want to make mine a list of ten commandments per se, but I couldn’t think of anything to add or delete. Here’s the list, in order of importance:

1. Let go of attachment.
2. Love everyone, including yourself.
3. Live passionately, tempered by wisdom.
4. Be responsible for your own happiness.
5. Know that love never fails.
6. Don’t allow fear to rule.
7. Almost doesn’t count.
8. Accept the things that you cannot change.
9. Fight injustice.
10. Do no harm.

1. Let go of attachment.
This has been my primary focus for a while. Letting go of attachment is a Buddhist ideal. If everyone was able to let go of attachment, we wouldn’t have nearly as many problems as we have now. Attachment is a sickness of the mind, a delusion. People believe that the causes of their problems are external, but really the causes are internal. The cause of unhappiness is people’s toxic attachments.

2. Love everyone, including yourself.
Loving all beings is another Buddhist ideal. I added “including yourself” because although people usually have a tendency toward self-grasping, or thinking that they are the most important beings, there are also many people who suffer from low self-esteem or otherwise don’t love themselves and take care of themselves.

3. Live passionately, tempered by wisdom.
A friend of mine once described me as passionate, saying that there’s often no middle ground for me. I either love something or hate it. However, it’s important not to let your passion for life run wild. You still want to make wise decisions.

4. Be responsible for your own happiness.
This goes back to the delusions and attachments people have. Once you realize only you can make you happy and that the way to find happiness is to let go of attachment, you’ll realize that no one ever has the power to make you unhappy again.

5. Know that love never fails.
This is from the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:4. It’s hard to remember, but it’s very important, which is why I added this to the list.

6. Don’t allow fear to rule.
I sometimes seem to suffer from what seems like paralyzing anxiety.  Also, I sometimes find that I plan too much and am not spontaneous enough.

7. Almost doesn’t count.
Half-trying isn’t an excuse not to do something. I think if you have something that you want to do, then you should do it rather than telling yourself you can’t do it, and then justifying failure by saying you tried.

8. Accept the things that you cannot change.
Inspired by the serenity prayer, which my father repeated to me many times as a child.

9. Fight injustice.
I always used to tell my parents that something wasn’t fair. Their response was usually, “Life’s not fair.” I never found that answer acceptable, which is part of the reason I became a criminal defense lawyer. I feel like if you witness injustice and don’t do something about it, then you are allowing injustice, if not contributing to it.

10. Do no harm.
An idea prevalent in medicine, green perspectives, and Buddhism, I believe that every person should try to lessen his or her negative impact on the world.

Ever since I became friends with Momo I’ve been thinking about going to church. He is a very spiritual person, which I find extremely attractive. Momo has encouraged me to go to church, although not in an annoying or preachy way. I’ve also wanted to go as one of my 101 in 1001 goals. As a child, my mother took my brother and I to church all the time, and I think that this was such an important decision. Going to church so much when I was younger has completely made me the person that I am today. However, the church that we went to was non-denominational, which leaves me now trying to figure out what type of church I should attend.

First, let me tell you my criteria for a church that I could enjoy (in order of importance):

1. Beautiful Architecture
2. Tolerant, Non-Preachy, People Who Don’t Seem Like Child Molesters
3. Singing Should Be Completely Optional
4. Pastors Should Not Yell Or Resemble Televangelists
5. Collection Of Money Should Be Non-Obvious and Optional
6. Tolerable Parking Conditions
7. Should Offer A Service In Spanish
8. Services Should Not Be Too Interactive
9. Not Required To Jump Through Hoops To Become A Church Member

(Can you see why I’ve been attending Buddhist services? Lol.)

Here are the options I’m considering (in alphabetical order):

First United Methodist Church of Miami
400 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
Services: Sunday 10:55 a.m.

Plymouth Congregational Church, Universal Church of Christ
3400 Devon Road
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Services: Sunday 10:00 a.m.

St. Hugh Catholic Church
3460 Royal Road
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Services: Sunday 9:00 a.m.

I don’t know how well any of these churches meet my above criteria, but I’m willing to find out, and I’m willing to consider other options.