This complete digest, formerly posted monthly, is now updated at least weekly. It contains posts from both SLW! and other simple living sources.The SLW! Monthly Nudge/Blog/eNews (focus on SLW!) comes as a free subscription to SLW! Blog (When you arrive, click +Follow in lower right, add your email address, then confirm when email arrives.) The free Daily Nudges is available by email -- send SUBSCRIBE to SimpleLivingWorks@yahoo.com -- or by Twitter @GeraldIversen.
In This Issue:
What's been happening on my Living Lightly blog lately.
How Much Is Enough? Part 2 - What household stuff do you and I hang on to 'just in case'?
Uber Recycling #5 - Reviewing some recycling basics and adding a few you may not have tried yet
Lightening Your Heart #2 - Check out the 6 ways I avoid being a 'Debbie Downer.' Do any of these work for you? What's our PLANET got to do with it?
Wondering What Is True - One person's fake news is another person's truth. How to tell the difference.
What Is Mine To Do? - As Lent began, I had a 4 point plan. Do any of my resolutions match yours?
Going Into Hiding - Looking behind, underneath, and inside to find what's hiding
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
971. Jan. 3: The Epiphany is a feast of kings, camels, and stars. (Mt. 2:1-12) But what does it mean for a married couple today? Take a moment this week to look at a star together. Remember that God’s love for you and your love for each other is bigger than this world and the sky.
972. Jan. 10: A new year has begun. Perhaps you’ve made a New Year’s Resolution. Perhaps not. Today, just think about today! What kindness can you offer your beloved today.
973. Jan. 17: Martin Luther King talked a lot about racial equality. What about equality in Marriage? Are both of you equally good at cooking, mechanical things, sewing, small talk? Probably not. Even though your spouse may have a natural talent for a particular task, try trading chores for a day, just for fun.
974. Jan. 24: Because we are humans, we have eyes, ears, hands, feet, and many other body parts. Ideally, they all work together. Is there any part of your body that sometimes gives you trouble? How might your beloved aid or comfort you? Ask.
975. Jan. 31: Love is patient, kind, truthful, hopeful, enduring…Love is not jealous, pompous, inflated, rude, quick-tempered, brooding. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Tell your beloved which positive quality you think they are strong in.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
971. Jan. 7: Many children are baptized soon after birth and much later confirmed. Others come to Baptism as adults. What difference has Baptism made in your life? Really! Think about something specific. Once you have your own answer, talk to your children about their baptisms. Perhaps show photos. Reenact it.
972. Jan. 14: The Covid Pandemic has prompted us to think much more about healthy habits. Ask each family member what health habit is easiest or most difficult for them? For example, brushing teeth, washing hands, coughing into your elbow, wearing a mask…)
973. Jan. 21: If you are blessed to have children, no matter how aggravating they may be at times, remember those who have lost a child through miscarriage or abortion. Pray for couples trying to conceive. Fertility is a daunting responsibility. If you know someone who has had an abortion, do they know about Project Rachel?
974. Jan. 28: Perhaps your family has gotten some nice Christmas gifts. During these mostly indoor days of winter, challenge each family member to let go of something they no longer need – a toy, a piece of clothing, a book, old papers…
*Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
958. Oct. 4: At the beginning of this summer many of us thought that the Covid-19 pandemic was winding down. Now we’re not so sure. How have Covid restrictions been hard on your marriage? Are there any ways that new practices have enlivened your love?
959. Oct. 11: “I prayed, and prudence was given me.” (Wisdom 7:7) How one talks with God (prayer) varies from person to person. Some like memorized prayers, some read scripture, some quietly meditate… Share what style is most meaningful to each of you.
960. Oct. 18: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.” (Mark 10:43) Certainly in marriage couples serve each other in various ways, and that is good. Why not mix it up this week? Do your partner’s usual job or an extra task. Enjoy the change of pace.
961. Oct. 25: Halloween is coming up when folks wear costumes and pretend to be scary, beautiful, funny, or… Fantasize together. In your dream world, who/what would you like to be? Laugh together.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
957. Oct. 1: October is Respect Life month. Are there people that you find difficult to respect? (criminals, people who are lazy or mean, people of a different political persuasion…) Yes, even these are worthy of human respect. Talk to your children about giving respect – even to people they don’t like.
958. Oct. 8: “Go, sell what you own, and give to the poor.” (Mark 10:21) Invite everyone in your family to choose one possession this weekend to give to someone who needs it. Let it go.
959. Oct.15: The Covid-19 pandemic has changed work habits, shopping, school routines, eating, and socializing. Sometimes all the precautions can get tiresome. Take a break. Try a family walk in nature this weekend. Listen, watch, appreciate.
960. Oct. 22: Sunday, Oct. 24 is United Nations Day. . (https://www.un.org/en/un75) It commemorates humankind’s efforts to live peaceably together. Not easy for a family or our planet. There are 193 nations in the world. Invite family members to Google a country that you don’t know much about and share an interesting tidbit.
961. Oct. 29: Both the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5) and New Testament (Mark 12:30) tell us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Easy to say, but what does this look like – to pray more? To help someone out? To put up with hardships? Other?…Yes.
*Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
962. Nov. 1: Nov. 1 is All Saints Day in which the Catholic Church honors all saints known and unknown. Your spouse may not always act like a saint. None of us do, but I bet you can find a saintly quality if you pay attention. Is he or she generous, humble, self-sacrificing, courageous… Celebrate the saint you are living with today.
963. Nov. 8: Life is heavy; sometimes too heavy. Just for fun, pick a day this week to walk in each other’s shoes. (Do each other’s chores, maybe even dress or talk like your beloved. Have fun!
964. Nov. 15: “Heaven and earth will pass away…But of that day or hour, no one knows.” (Mark 13: 31-32) Although this scripture probably refers to the end of the world, in marriage the day one of you dies is the end of your earthly marriage. It’s hard to think about this, but it will happen. Dare to take a moment this week to write a sentence to your beloved about how you will feel upon their death.
965. Nov. 22: Thanksgiving is coming up this week in the USA. You’ve probably already told your beloved many qualities that you appreciate about him or her. Can you think of a new one? Or perhaps just thank them for something simple he or she did yesterday.
966. Nov. 29: “…on earth nations will be perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves...” (Luke 21: 25) Whether you interpret this biblically or connect it with what scientists are saying about climate change, bad weather can be frightening. Agree on one step to take to befriend planet earth this week.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
962. Nov. 5: Time can be tricky. In many countries Daylight Saving Time is about to end soon. That means you will gain an hour. What will your family do with one extra hour? Choose some fun (maybe new) thing to do together.
963. Nov. 12: As the weather becomes colder in the northern hemisphere (or warmer in the southern hemisphere) we often change our clothes and homes to adjust to different levels of heat. Ask your family members what they like most and least about this season.
964. Nov. 19: “My kingdom does not belong to this world. (John 18:36) But what IF YOU WERE KING OR QUEEN of this world? What would you like to do for your child(ren)? Ask them what they would do if they were king or queen for a day?
965. Nov. 26: It’s Thanksgiving weekend in the USA, aka the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. For Christians, it’s also the beginning of Advent. Focus this weekend on how your family can simplify your lifestyle, not just buy more stuff. Maybe do a family house cleaning.
*Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
967. Dec. 6: St. Nick’s Day - The Christmas season is traditionally a “family focused” time and for many people that means focusing on children. For newly marrieds this might be a cozy time of couple bonding but for couples hoping for a child it can be a bittersweet time. Pray for those longing for children.
968. Dec. 13: In Catholic tradition, December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – a feast of miracles when Mary appeared in the skin color and clothing of the indigenous Mexican people. Have there been any miracles in your marriage? (recovery from an illness, revitalization of your love, remembering to check the car’s oil?) Do you ever get under each other’s skin? Is it a miracle you’re still together?
969. Dec. 20: Dec. 21 is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Dark nights can be cozy when warmed by love and candlelight, but for some it can be a time of personal depression. If this week finds you blessed with pleasant experiences of darkness, pray for those who aren’t. If you are among those who are currently struggling in your marriage, or life in general, accept the power of prayer.
970. Dec. 27: Christmas is past, or is it? Kwanzaa which starts on Dec. 26 is an annual celebration of African-American culture. No matter the color of your skin, the themes of Kwanzaa can deepen your love for each other and continue the joy of Christmas. Some of the Kwanzaa themes are Unity, Collective Work, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.html
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
966. Dec. 3: Advent is the season we prepare again for Jesus coming into the world. It’s also a very hectic time for most families. Pause today to remember the reason for the season. Light a candle on the Advent wreath to calm yourself and your children.
967. Dec. 10: “Whoever has two coats should share with the person who has none.” (Luke 3:11) This may seem a little extreme, but, if you have more than one warm coat, hat, or gloves, pick one to give to a person (or agency) who can pass it on to someone in need.
968. Dec. 17: Our waiting for Christmas is nearing the end. Although society may hurry Christmas by celebrating and gift giving before Dec. 25, help your children learn the value and self-discipline of delayed gratification. Waiting and preparing for something good is good.
969. Dec.24: Christmas Eve. The waiting of Advent is almost over. In the midst of your family’s excitement about what Christmas will bring, pause for 5 minutes tonight to be quiet together. Look at each other. Ponder the miracle of the human beings in front of you.
970. Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve. As we mark the end of 2021, ask your family to gather and recall one regret and one happy memory they have of this past year. Is there one positive act each can commit to during the first month of 2022.
*Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
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Peace, Gerald 'Jerry' Iversen, Chief SLW! Activist
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