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2023-- Winter // Spring // Summer // Fall
In This Issue:
Feb. 2024
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
Vogt LIVING LIGHTLY Quarterly Blog Alert (Sept., Oct., Nov., 2023)
1. Am I Doing Enough
2. Love the Hub
3. Good Waits, Fasts, Problems
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
1088. Apr. 1: This year, Easter is Sunday March 31 and April Fools' Day is Monday, April 1. What an odd conjunction of days. One is holy and and joyous; the other is fun and silly. May Easter also renew your love despite silly ways you may have hurt your beloved, and may April Fools' Day be full of holy laughter.
1089. Apr. 8: "Love is not simply a feeling; it is a decision." (Marriage Encounter principle) When the feeling fades -- as it does at times -- recommit to building your relationship. DO something loving for your spouse. Feelings are passing. Love goes beyond feelings.
1090. Apr.15: April 15-21 is Natl. Week of Conversation. https://conversation.us/ As a start, look at your marriage conversations. There is plenty to disagree about. Practice respectful conversation at home. Click here (https://www.livingroomconversations.org/friends-and-family-guide/) for tips on Skills, Pitfalls, and First Aid.
1091. Apr. 22: Earth Day is April 22. This year April 22 is also the first day of Passover. In marriage often one partner knows more about a topic than the other. Perhaps each of you could google one of these and update the other. Learn from each other.
1092. Apr. 29: Praying together is good, but your schedule and style of prayer may not match. For a start, try picking a specific and regular time each day to say a prayer for your beloved, perhaps when you start the car, wash your hands, brush your teeth, etc. Try it.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
1089. Apr. 5: April 5 is Golden Rule Day. .. (https://www.internationaldays.co/event/golden-rule-day/r/recJumxksyOfUGegU#:~:text=April%205th%20is%20Golden,cultures%20and%20religions%20on%20earth) "Treat others as you would like them to treat you." (Mt. 7:12) It’s both common sense and Biblical sense; but sometimes hard to do. This week when you feel angry or irritated at someone, flip the roles and try to treat them with honest love.
1090. Apr. 12: Chores #1: As a parent what’s your favorite household job? What's your least favorite? Few kids like chores but it’s part of being a family. Talk with your kids about their preferences. Discuss whether anybody wants to switch their current tasks.
1091. Apr. 19: April 22 is Earth Day. (https://www.earthday.org/planet-vs-plastics/) Take stock of what your family already recycles (paper, plastic, cans...) Good! Can you add one more thing to recycle? Better yet, commit to avoid buying something that needs recycling, especially plastic.
1092. Apr. 26: Chores #2: Two weeks ago, I suggested discussing who does what chores around the house. Were any decisions made to change jobs? Are your kids complaining or too busy to help at home? Have a family meeting and make a plan you can all live with.
1093. May 6: Remembering may become more difficult with aging, but that doesn’t mean we should allow ourselves to forget. May 6 is Holocaust Remembrance Day. (https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust). Regardless of whether you are of Jewish or German heritage, take time today to remember the challenging and joyous times of your life and marriage.
1094. May 13: (Mother’s Day) Of course if you are alive you were born of a mother. Maybe you are also a mother to children of your own. As you remember your own mother this week, give gratitude for lessons learned and to your beloved spouse who joins you in loving.
1095. May 20: “Marriage is wonderful. Don't ruin it with unrealistic expectations. Learn what your marriage truly can and cannot be. Hint: Don't take your cues from Hollywood.” (Mark Gungor, Laugh Your Way America) So, from where do you take YOUR cues – your parents? friends? experience? your faith?
1096. May 27: (Memorial Day) On Memorial Day we remember those who have defended our freedom. But freedom is bigger than winning a war. Marriage can free us to stop searching for perfection - to stop putting up a front, to risk being our truest, best self because we are loved unconditionally.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
1093. May 3: Screen Free week (https://nationaltoday.com/screen-free-week/) If your child is old enough for school, they’ve probably spent a lot of class time on computer screens. Weather permitting, offer them a Nature Break this weekend - or at least some indoor art, craft, or board game alternatives.
1094. May 10: (Mother’s Day) Everyone has a mother. Many of us are mothers ourselves. Your child will learn how to honor his/her mother by watching how you honor yours. Whether your own mother is alive or dead, share with your child something you appreciate about your mother today.
1095. May 17: Who do your kids hang out with? Friends have a big influence on us. Invite your child’s friends to your home. Offer to take your child and a friend to a sporting event or other fun activity. Show you care not only for your own child but for their friends too.
1096. May 24: Chores – Every household has jobs that need to be done: cooking, cleaning, caring for each other. Hopefully your children already have age appropriate jobs. As summer approaches, review who does what. Are there any job adjustments/upgrades that should be made?
1097. May 31: As summer vacation time comes, outdoor activities usually increase – but there are also rainy days. Be prepared with quiet reading areas and interesting child friendly books, art & craft possibilities so they don’t just revert to the TV or their phone.
Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
ECO-TIPS
TO EDUCATORS, LEADERS, & MINISTERS:
I offer you these Eco-Tips as a resource for those you serve.
My own faith tradition is Catholic and thus Pope Francis' teaching in Laudato Si' inspired these ways of Living Laudato Si'. Of course caring for creation transcends religions and is indeed a universal undertaking. It cannot be done alone.
You are welcome to reprint these in bulletins, newsletters, and on your website with the credit, "By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net"
For related articles go to my Living Lightly Blog: www.SusanVogt.net/blog
Since those we reach may be in many different places regarding environmental efforts, I offer 2 options each week:
114. April 1: SPIRITUALITY (Easter)
EASY: At Eastertime Christians remember Jesus' resurrection. May we each rise above taking our life on Earth for granted. What specific action can I take to honor God's creation this week.
Optional Generic ECO TIP:
We humans are not the center of the universe. What specific action can I take to honor creation by caring for another - animal, plant, air, ground, or water this week.
CHALLENGING: Beyond my personal and family lifestyle, what actions can I take with others to protect creation for future generations? Start doing it.
115. April 8: CLEANING
EASY: Review the cleaning products you use for the kitchen and bathroom. How many are made of single use plastics (SUPs)? If you can refill the container you don’t need to count it – yet.
CHALLENGING: Decide to find substitutes for at least 10% of your SUP containers. Click here for options.
116. April 22: EARTH DAY
EASY: Planet vs Plastics is the theme for Earth Day 2024. Commit to not using or buying any plastic on April 22.
CHALLENGING: Educate yourself on ways to reduce your use of plastics. Click here to read many ways. (https://www.earthday.org/campaign/end-plastic-pollution/). Choose at least 1 new action to take.
117. April 29: NATURE
EASY: Plant a vegetable or fruit in your yard or near a window. If your dwelling cannot support a home grown crop, check out if there is a community garden near you.
CHALLENGING: Plant a full vegetable garden or join a community garden near you.
118. May 6: CLEANING
EASY: Review the cleaning products you use for the kitchen and bathroom. How many are made of single use plastics (SUPs)? If you can refill the container you don’t need to count it -- yet.
CHALLENGING: Decide to find substitutes for at least 10% of your SUP containers. Consider silicone storage containers, lids, reusable food bags, etc.·
119. May 13: EDUCATE YOURSELF
EASY: Learn about a local environmental organization, for example, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, 350.org
CHALLENGING: Join your chosen organization, support it with your time and money.
120. May 20: WATER
EASY: To conserve water, wash your car less frequently.
CHALLENGING: When your car does need washing, consider using a commercial car wash. The average homeowner uses more than 100 gallons of water to wash a car, while most car washes use far less water.
121. May 27: SYSTEMIC
EASY: Promote a green practice with a fellow worker, client, customer, student.
CHALLENGING: Submit a public comment on proposed federal regulations. You can find opportunities at regulations.gov..
TO EDUCATORS, LEADERS, & MINISTERS:
I offer you these Eco-Tips as a resource for those you serve.
My own faith tradition is Catholic and thus Pope Francis' teaching in Laudato Si' inspired these ways of Living Laudato Si'. Of course caring for creation transcends religions and is indeed a universal undertaking. It cannot be done alone.
You are welcome to reprint these in bulletins, newsletters, and on your website with the credit, "By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net"
For related articles go to my Living Lightly Blog: www.SusanVogt.net/blog
Since those we reach may be in many different places regarding environmental efforts, I offer 2 options each week: EASY: Some of us are just starting to awaken to the need to care for creation, or have been busy with jobs, raising a family, or other social justice commitments. We may not have much discretionary time. OR, it may simply be a relief to note, “Hey, I’m already doing this one!” Good.
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Peace, Gerald 'Jerry' Iversen, Chief SLW! Activist
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