Intentionality. It’s a word that gets thrown around liberal camps or churchy groups. Intentional communities. Intentional practices. Intentional giving.

Intentional _______. It’s one of those phrases that almost doesn’t make sense. Isn’t almost everything we do intentional–brushing our teeth, driving to work, living where we do, eating what we eat? These common practices, however, can become so second nature that we do them without thinking through the consequences. Sure, we intentionally decide “paper or plastic” bags, but when we do so we often completely overlook the options of bringing a canvas bag from home. We intentionally decide, “should you drive or should I,” but we don’t consider walking, cycling, or taking the bus.

It’s sort of like what happens at some nicer Scottish restaurants. You’ll sit down, not sure of what you’d like to drink so you ask the waitress for “water just now.” “Still or fizzy” she asks. Oh, you think, I have an opportunity to decide what type of water I’d like. Isn’t it kind of this good restaurant to offer me such good service. Not usually in the mood for carbonated water, I’ll usually just ask for “still, please” happy with my decision and the opportunity to make it.

A few minutes later, nice waitress will bring said “still water” and pour it from its nice plastic bottle into my glass. No, I forgot again! I scream inside. I should have asked for tap water. I thought I was being given the chance to make my own intentional decision as to what type of water, but the waitress’s question tricked me into buying bottled water I would not have bought otherwise.

Intentionality.

Here are two websites that support smart, environmentally friendly intentional choices.

First, Tappening.com love-affair with bottled water. With these water bottles you can show that your use markets water bottles attempting to curb America’s silly tap water is an intentional decision (that, by the way, is healthier for both you and the environment). These bottles make great stocking stuffers for that hard-to-shop-for environmentalist friend.

Second, LaundryList.org advocates, in many and various ways, the use of clothes lines. Sounds simple–but when was the last time you dried your clothes on a line (UK readers..don’t answer that)?

I’m happy to add more websites to the list. Just let me know in the comments, or if you’re the shy type, by email. What are some intentional decisions you are trying to make more often?