As a parent, I am always encouraging my kids to associate themselves with the kind of friends that have the best set of core values and children who make good choices.  As my priorities in life have evolved over the years and my interest in eco-friendly living has increased, I've sought the same (looking for and making friends with "like minded" eco-friendly people).  Studies have shown that your environment or community of people that you associate yourself with has a greater influence in your decision making than anything else.  So, if you are struggling to make more eco-friendly choices, join a group or attend a local eco-friendly event.  If one can be "guilty by association," one can also be "successful by relation."

Now that I have been actively training for a halt marathon, I have begun to meet other runners through local running groups and running store sponsored clinics.  It is great to share the same challenges and struggles with each other and know that we can all lean on each other for words of encouragement.