The older I get, the more I don't want to waste. I don't want to waste time, money, energy, words, and connections. I don't want to waste anything. I feel this way because everywhere I look I see amazing potential for goodness and betterment. If we waste our capacity in any way, we lose some of the opportunity to move towards the goodness and betterment possible.
Why do we waste?
Looking back at life, most times that resulted in waste were times when I didn't know better or times when I was trying out an endeavor, purchase, argument and/or activity for the first time. Initially with any endeavor, the trial-and-error process results in some wasteful choices. Greater thought, research, and planning upfront helps to mitigate that waste, but there will likely be some waste in any new endeavor--that's the inevitable cost of learning and trying out new ideas and actions.
How can we steer clear of waste?
Thoughtful living, research and planning help us to make choices that result in less waste, and typically when you waste less, you have more reserves to rely on when needed.
Also, knowing who you are and what you really want out of life helps you to waste less. You're less likely to make wasteful choices when you know what you really want and what matters to you.
Wasteful spending
Making a plan that relates to your finances, helps you to avoid wasteful spending and also helps you to save up for expenses that really matter to you.
Wasteful words
Taking the time to be thoughtful about the words you use, helps you not to waste words. Wasteful words can lead to lots of wasted time too. That's why we notice the wisest amongst us using words with a lot of care and thought.
Wasteful endeavor
When we rush into endeavor without thought, we often waste time. That old adage, haste makes waste, is true--when we rush, we often waste time, materials, and energy.
In our lives, there will be some waste, but when we're more thoughtful about who we are, what we want, and what we do, we will waste less and have more time, money, energy and ability to live good lives. Onward.