Other experiences strike you so profoundly, yet fade into history with the march of time. But sometimes, in an off state of mind, one will come rushing back. It’s about 2am now, and I really should be going to bed. We have that launch party at the end of the week that I need to put a lot of work into. (If you are reading this before, then I offer my sincerest invitation: www.natureswash.com/launch. It will be spectacular. If you are reading this after Feb 20, 2010…wasn’t that just the most spectacular party?)

But because I am so tired, and sleep deprived, and full of honey roasted almonds (that’s how the farmer’s market memory came back, I suppose), my mind has been throwing random thoughts and memories at me. And one has been sticking.

It was about two or three years ago when I met him. Don’t even remember his name. We only met briefly for an afternoon. An artist, of Japanese descent. He worked for a company that I was trying to bring on as a client.

And he drank green tea.

Out of a wooden cup.

We were supposed to spend about an hour together since he was the creative director for the company’s ad copies and I was managing online marketing campaigns. But we mostly talked about tea. And cups.

Here’s the thing, though: it was his only cup.

Don’t get me wrong, it was an extremely nice cup. An antique, I believe. But it was his only cup. Now, he had a few at home, he said. For when he entertained guests or wanted wine or a cocktail.

But for practically every single other need, he used this one beautiful wooden cup. A quick swish of water between drinks and one wash at the end of the day.

Why this struck me at the time (besides the fact that I thought it was a fantastic idea and am now, after remembering this at 2am on February 15 2010, going to try and do the same thing) was that it highlighted one of the most poignant facts about the reality of environmentalism: simplicity and efficiency.

All the solar cells and wind turbines in the world could not begin to even approach the impact that we would see if every single citizen in the developed world reduced his consumption of energy by reasonable degrees…If he drove just a fewer miles a week, replaced a tenth of his meat consumption with other foods, or bought just a few less gadgets and doodads every month.

The commitment to make just one tiny change every so often, when compounded across an extended period of time, can accumulate to make a significant difference in our lifestyle, our outlook, and our footprint. Forget the big New Year’s resolutions. Make small but meaningful weekly/monthly resolutions.

Starting this week, I will spend 30 minutes less each day in front of the laptop/TV/Playstation and replace it with more time playing or walking with my dog.

And starting next week, I will find myself a nice cup with long-term potential and drink my tea out of it.