‘This I Believe’ Know the origin of things

I believe in understanding where things come from. In the bustling life of a modern-day college student, it is difficult to trace all the aspects of my life back to their origins. It takes too much time to consider the sources of my consumption. I often find myself taking the shortcut without a second thought toward the ramifications of my actions.

For example, in the effort to supply food to the billions of people inhabiting this world, citizens have lost sight of where their food comes from. I believe in understanding what goes into my body and knowing where it came from. I believe that anything worth putting into your body can be made at home in your own kitchen. Now, I'm no fool. I know that I cannot physically see the source of everything I consume. Our world is just too big for that now. However, it is not as difficult as many think to make fresh, healthy meals on a daily basis. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Go to the local farmer's market on Saturday mornings. Look for the products that say organic, farm fresh, and fair trade on them. Spend that little bit of time cooking dinner instead of playing video games or checking Facebook.

This idea of knowing where things come from does not just apply to food. Consider all of the individuals you encounter in your daily life. Each one of those people has a story. They have all had their hardships and parental influences. Each person you see has been shaped by the successes and tragedies in their life. I know from experience that it is much easier to pass judgment and set myself above another. But if I take a second to remember that everyone has a story, an origin that has shaped them, I am forced to consider that there is a reason behind his or her actions. Knowing where people come from pushes me to find that patience within myself to withhold judgment and instead choose understanding.

Finally, to know where things come from is to consider the impact consumption has on the world. It is realizing that water does not come from a tap but from a river or a lake, and remembering that there is a limited amount. It is in not taking for granted my constant and easy access to clean water. It is taking the bus whenever I can because I understand where gas comes from, the problems its global sale causes, and the effect my use of it has on the environment.

I believe in drinking from a reusable water bottle. I believe in timing my showers. I believe in taking reusable bags to the grocery store. I believe in walking to class. I believe in asking about people's days. I believe in the power of sharing stories. I believe in understanding your own story. I believe in home-cooked meals. I believe in eating products with less than five ingredients in them. I believe that the knowledge of where things come from is essential to being a happy, healthy, considerate human being.