IMAGE: Spirit of Simplicity: Voluntary Simplicity #1-A3386
Our Simpler Living
Daily Nudge
Table of Contents
December
Celebrating QUOTESResponsible Celebrating
Advent
1-Begin using Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? Use the calendar of your choice every day, the Biblical reflections each week and the services and other activities as appropriate. Some editions have an audio version. Review the User's Guide.
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
More ART
Ten Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas
2-Tip #1. Plan ahead. Instead of going on auto-pilot the day after Thanksgiving, hold a family meeting to decide what the group really wants to do and who's going to do what. Use Alternatives' "Let's Talk About Christmas!" Worksheet to guide your discussion.
Guest blog--Eco-Justice: Advent -- Longing for Shalom
3-Tip #2. Avoid debt. Refuse to be pressured by advertising to overspend. Use credit cards wisely. Avoid cash advances. They have no grace period, interest accumulates immediately.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: First Sunday in Advent4-Tip #3. Avoid stress. Give to yourself... a peaceful space, for example. Don't assume that things have to be the same way they've always been. For more on stress, see August.
SLW! Podcast #106: Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? #3--Advent 3&45-Tip #4. Draw names rather than everyone giving something to everyone else in your giving circle. Set a ceiling for each recipient.
6-St. Nicholas Day (To Celebrate, pp. 34-40). Tip #5. If you need a symbol for giving (in addition to Jesus and the Wise Ones), learn about St. Nicholas. Santa Claus has been completely taken over by commerce. Read, share, use Alternatives' "St. Nicholas: A Puppet Play" or "A Saint Nicholas Day Celebration."
Relish Celebrating QUOTES and ART
7-Tip #6. Give appropriate gifts. Get to know the recipient. Give what they want to receive, not what you want to buy. For help, use the "Appropriate Gift Questionnaire"
The Common Good Podcast--Ulrich Duchrow: Importance of Radicalizing Our Reforms So We Create a Culture of Life
8-Christmas Is More Than Gifts and Glitter - The effort to celebrate a simple Christmas is led by a small, ecumenical nonprofit group originally called Alternatives. Organized in 1973 to protest the commercialization of Christmas, Alternatives (now Simple Living Works!) provides encouragement and support for those who want to celebrate Jesus' birthday. The group emphasizes relationships and traditions over things, hoping to avoid stress and debt.
For more information see March and November and read Living More with Less, Celebrations, 188-208.
Other holidays in December include
9-Tip #7. Give alternative gifts. Give 25% of what you spent last year to the truly needy... individuals or groups locally, nationally or internationally. For help, use Alternatives' Christmas Budget Worksheet (Cost Analysis Form).
Guest blog--Eco-Justice: Protection vs. Use in Utah
10-International Human Rights Day. Contact your denomination's Human Rights Association and find out what they do. Learn about the UN's Declaration of Human Rights.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Second Sunday in Advent11-More Tip #7. Buy crafts and clothing from developing countries at alternative gift markets, not from commercial importers, so that the artisans receive a fair price for their work. For more, see June.
12-Yet More Tip #7. Give of yourself, not just "stuff" - a coupon book for future services (such as baby-sitting or an "enchanted evening") or something baked, sewn, handmade, composed, etc. For more, read "Gift Giving" in Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 39-56, or To Celebrate, Chapter 3, pp. 49-70.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Hannukah13-More on Giving of Ourselves... giving something more meaningful than stuff for the giver and the receiver - giving ourselves, not our money or things bought with our money, but our time and our special skills. (Continued)
Relish Celebrating QUOTES and ART
14-Baking, sewing, woodworking, composing poetry or playing music. The point is not just to find a substitute for a thing-gift at Christmas but to build and strengthen a relationship that will nurture and be nurtured all year long. (Continued)
Classic Resource--Voluntary Simplicity Study Action Guide: Session 3--Christmas: 'For I Was Naked and You Clothed Me'15-Hand-made coupon books for promises of time or services at the convenience of the receiver, not the giver, are both generous and well received. Coupons for child care, for a special meal, for lawn mowing... you name it.
16-Tip #8. Give children ONE thing they really want, rather than so many gifts. If need be, pool funds.
Guest blog--Eco-Justice: - The Magnificat in the Headlines
17-Tip #9. Take turns opening the gifts around the tree, so that each gift can be admired and each giver thanked. To avoid the emphasis on gifts, don't put them under the tree until after attending worship service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
SLW! Podcast #107: Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? #4--Christmas season + Epiphany18-When I was a child many of the relatives would gather on Christmas Eve for a grand meal. Then we would gather around a tree that always reached to the ceiling. It was surrounded by a mountain of gifts. Everybody gave something to everybody else. With little fanfare I would start ripping into all my stuff. It seemed that no one paid much attention to what others were getting. After an hour or so it was over. (Continued)
19-One year I asked my dad if we could go to church on Christmas Eve. He agreed. But I didn't ask until Christmas Eve. When we got back, the others were pretty unhappy. We had changed the plan. We hadn't considered the group. Now, after we all go to church, we gather for some favorite foods. We take turns opening our gifts with considerable fanfare for each one. Though we are only four, it is more meaningful than when there were a dozen!
Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? online edition #29 for 201720-Tip #10. Make changes slowly but persistently. Don't try to change everything and everybody all at once. The resistance will make you feel defeated and lonely. For more help, read the classic Unplug the Christmas Machine, especially Chapter 9: "Christmas Revival", or "Getting Started" in Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 70-87.
Relish Celebrating QUOTES and ART
21-First Day of Winter (To Celebrate, p. 163)
Worship Alternatives: Advent/Christmas/Epiphany22-We have much better symbols of Christmas and giving than Santa, who has been completely taken over by commercial interests to sell us more stuff. We have Jesus giving himself to us and the Three Wise Ones giving gifts to Jesus. We have St. Nicholas, who gave gifts to the needy. Let's not confuse our children with stories about Santa. Let's tell the real stories of our faith.
23-One Christmas my mother bought a new plastic Santa to put on the top of the tree. I didn't think much of it. When my Dad saw it, he quietly insisted that it come down. After all, he was Sunday School Superintendent. Mother replaced Santa with a Christmas star. That incident had a profound effect on me. As greedy as I was as a youngster, I got the point that we celebrate Jesus' birth, not the coming of Santa Claus.
Classic Resource: Treasury of Celebrations: Christmas
24- Share memories and stories besides gifts and food. Play Alternatives' "Christmas Game."
Guest blog--Eco-Justice: Christmas Light and Darkness
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
More ART
Christmas
begins (12 days till Epiphany)25-Christmas Day (birth of Jesus observed). For more information read Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 207-225.
26-First Day of Kwanzaa. For more information read To Celebrate, pp. 163-164.
Boxing Day (Canada)27-Keep your tree and decorations up until Epiphany, January 6th, when the Wise Ones arrive with their gifts.
Relish Celebrating QUOTES and ART
28-Holy Innocents. Read, share, use Alternatives' "Remembering the Holy Innocents: A Service for December 28th."
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
Subscribers to SLW! Podcast will receive The Common Good Podcast (TCGP)--which I produce and co-host--on the 1st of the month. Likewise, subscribers to TCGP will receive SLW! Podcast on the 15th as a BONUS. So, SLW! Podcast subscribers will continue to receive two episodes per month. This makes good sense since the missions of both SLW! and Jubilee OneEarth Economics are so complementary and the two work together closely. For example, I blog on the Jubilee site at CasaJubileo.org occasionally. Your comments on these changes are welcome.
Peace, Gerald 'Jerry' Iversen, SLW! Chief Activist
29-There are three levels of working toward justice.
1) Symbolic acts, like giving up a meal, help change us though they do not alleviate another's hunger. Education and worship are largely symbolic acts. Though they don't make any thing, they feed our spirits and minds. Symbols are powerful!
Guest blog--Sojourners: 10 Resolutions for 2018 by Jim Wallis
30-2) Sharing our resources of time, money and energy are small steps to alleviate another's situation.
Guest blog--Eco-Justice: 4.6B Years in Review
31-3) Systemic change, which is more complex, requires recognition of a need for change by communities and governments. It requires conversation, negotiation, a commitment to cooperation, and constant pressure from caring people.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration--New Year's EveNovember
Celebrating QUOTESMore Celebrating
1-Let's Talk About Christmas! How are we going to celebrate Christmas this year? What is really most meaningful? Who's going to do what? Are we willing to spend less on ourselves and give more to the truly needy? Ask your family, relatives, friends questions like these. Write down your decisions and post them.
The Common Good Podcast--Sr. Shirley Fineran: 21st Century Slave Trade--Helping Victims Recover from Human Trafficking
2-For help, use "Let's Talk About Christmas!" Worksheet. Consider using the widely read resource, the annual Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? Timeless past editions are available online.
Remember International Buy Nothing Day (adbusters.org). Yes, it's the day after Thanksgiving!
3-Simplicity is a disciplined life - disciplined, not punished or deprived or joyless. We are given great freedom to care about all of God's Creation, rather than nurturing the perversions and idols that our society has created and worships - our "stuff." Stuff exists to meet our needs. But if we spend our time, energy and money nurturing it instead of our relationships with God, others and ourselves, it will own us, control us and ultimately destroy us and the Earth.
SLW! Podcast #104: Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? #1--Pre-Advent4-The Jesse Tree - Many meaningful symbols help us focus on preparations for Christmas during Advent... the Advent wreath, Chrismons, and the Christmas tree. When so many commercial symbols try to distract us from the real meaning of the season, the Jesse Tree is a lesser known but also powerful, visual focal point. (Continued)
Guest blog--Eco-Justice: God's Kin-dom and the Anthropocene5-At the beginning of Advent (no later than four weeks prior to Christmas) cut a branch from a lilac or forsythia just above a bud and place it in a vase filled with water. Make the cut clean and at an angle. A vase filled with clear glass beads and water will provide support for the Jesse Tree. Maintain a water level above the cut and the Jesse Tree will blossom by Christmas. Lilacs, regardless of their blossom color, will bloom white when forced this way. (Continued)
Weekly Nudge: 10 Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas #1.6-Isaiah foretells the end of the Assyrian rule over Jerusalem as God "hack(ing) down the thickets of a forest with an ax," razing it to stumps. The Israelites - David's line - had been so razed. Then comes the promise in Isaiah 11: 1-2, from which the Jesse Tree gets its name - "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots." And from that line will come the Messiah... a new branch from a stump... a branch stronger and more fruitful than the original tree. (Continued)
Free Classic Alternatives' Christmas Resource:.- "What Makes a Perfect Christmas?"
- "The Gift of Giving,"
- "What About Santa?"
- "Christmas Traditions That Work for You,"
- "Looking Behind the Cost of Christmas,"
- "What Is a Gift?"?
7-The Jesse Tree is beautiful by itself. But it can also hold ornaments, symbols of the season of Advent, the season of waiting... a scroll to remember the prophecies... a dove to remind us of the peace that comes with Messiah... a crown for David's son, Solomon... a rose with twelve petals, one for each of Jesse's sons from whom sprang the twelve tribes of Israel. (Continued)
Free Classic Alternatives' Christmas Resource: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas video and study/action guide8-As we hang the ornaments - usually one per day - we tell the related story. The prophecies come to life with the appearance of blooms - new life from an old branch - as they did with the birth of Jesus Christ. For more information about possible designs of the ornaments, contact your public or church library.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish CELEBRATING QUOTES
& ART Preparations
9-For our widowed fathers who live far away we produce a simple video Christmas card. While our children are home for Thanksgiving, we take an hour and put together a 20 minute greeting on tape. We use parts of Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? We sing some carols, including Carols with Justice. We avoid anything showy. (Continued)
Weekly Digest10-For a video Christmas card, we try to model the things that are important to us, things we really do and believe in - like delivering poinsettias as a fund-raiser for the Battered Women's Shelter - not things we want others to think we do and believe. The sound isn't professional, the production's not slick - no editing, no special effects - but it's us! It is relatively easy and a lot of fun. Everybody gets their say, though not everybody gets their way.
Free Classic Alternatives' Christmas Resource: Let's Get off the Christmas Roller Coaster audio // script11-Veterans' Day--Classic SLW! blog: Non-Conform Freely Veterans' Day
12-View, share and discuss Alternatives' classic video
The Celebration Revolution of Alexander Scrooge: A Modern 'Christmas Carol'.
Discussion Guide
13- "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish... all ate and were filled." -from Matthew 14:13-21. Do I miss the chance to do what I can because I can't do it all? (from Trek)
Guest blog: Eco-Justice--Thoughts and Prayers (11/10)14-For your church or group consider using one of the following. Focus on an appropriate or interesting theme. (Dates are given only for reference.)
15-ChurchWorldService.org distributes the exceptionally attractive Global Calendar and greeting cards of color pictures of people from around the Earth.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish CELEBRATING QUOTES
& ART
16-Start saving Sunday comics to use for wrapping paper for gifts. Recycle Christmas cards by cutting at the fold. Write a personal message on the back and use as a post card. Save envelopes.
SLW! Podcast #105: Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? 2For more information
17- The Christmas Pledge
Believing in the true spirit of Christmas, I commit myself to:
Remember those people who truly need my gifts
Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
Examine my holiday activities in the light of my deepest values
Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends
Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth
18-Make a Plan. Set small and specific goals. Want to minimize Christmas preparations? To feel more relaxed this holiday season? To spend more relaxed time with the children this Christmas? Want to give less commercial gifts? (Continued)
Guest blog: Eco-Justice: An Eco-Justice Thanksgiving19-Look at your goals and think of one, two or three activities that will help you accomplish them. Unless you are assured of other people's cooperation, it's best to focus on activities that you can do by yourself. (Continued)
Weekly Nudge: 10 Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas #3.20-Next describe these activities in simple written sentences - what you are going to do and when it should be done, for example: Goal: I want to simplify my gift giving. Activity 1: I will write letters to Aunt Carol and Aunt Rebecca suggesting that we give gifts only to the children and mail those letters by October 1. (Continued)
Free Classic Alternatives' Christmas Resource: Let Jesus Come, Let Santa Go! Workshop21-Share your plan with your family. Choose your time carefully. Wait until they are in a relaxed and accepting frame of mind. Be nonthreatening. Unless the other family members have done a lot of thinking about Christmas, introduce the topic gently. Take the time to explain your reasons for wanting to make changes. Once they know your sincere motives, they are likely to be more supportive. Finally, talk to others as soon as possible. Many like to plan for Christmas early.
Read and discuss Isaiah 58 as part of your preparation for observing Thanksgiving.22-Brainstorming is fun! It requires withholding judgment on any idea, letting ideas come out from other ideas. Linear thinkers may be more goal oriented and circular thinkers may be more creative. Both are necessary. A balance of both is optimal.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish CELEBRATING QUOTES
& ART
23-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Thanksgiving
23-A Birthday Gift for Jesus - When we celebrate a birthday, we are careful to give what the person really wants or needs. Is there any doubt what Jesus wants from us? He insists that in order to give to him, we must find him in the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned. By helping to provide a goat for a farmer in Honduras, a decent home for a family in rural Mississippi, or food for those who are victims of war, we can give Jesus a birthday gift he really wants.
Contact organizations listed in Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? for more information on how to give money, time and skills to those in need.
24-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Friday after Thanksgiving-Buy Nothing Day ('Black Friday.')
SLW! Weekly DigestNovember holidays include: Fourth Thursday-Thanksgiving Day
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
25-Use Alternative's Christmas Budget Worksheet (Cost Analysis Form), to estimate how much you spent on each item last Christmas. Then total it. This is private. Don't feel guilty about how much you spent or proud about how little. Decide what percentage of that amount your family is willing to give to truly needy people this year. We recommend 25%. You may decide on 10% or 50%. (Continued)
26-Now we may feel we have just as many things to buy and people to buy for, but with less money. We have several options. We can drop some folks or activities from the list. We can buy less expensive items. We can draw names instead of everyone giving something to everyone else. Or we can practice Alternative Giving. That's done in various ways. The first is deciding how much of last year's budget to give away and to whom.
Weekly Nudge: 10 Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas #4.27-Say to yourself, out loud while looking in a mirror. "I'm OK. I'm enough. I don't have to prove how good or strong I am by using my purchase power. I don't need to own or show-off my stuff to be accepted or loved. I'm forgiven for my past waste and extravagance."
Cyber Monday: Another marketing ploy to tempt us to focus on wants and desires instead of needs--ours and others'.28-Simplicity is the greatest peace making tool we have in the war between the have's and the have-not's.
Giving Tuesday29-Surprise is a key element of gift giving. To avoid bad surprises, do not rely on mind reading. Instead, help your family members and friends select appropriate gifts - and also reveal some fascinating personal preferences. Ask each person in your gift exchange circle to fill out the questionnaire. (Continued)
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish CELEBRATING QUOTES
& ART
30-Voluntary simplicity is not Scroogism. Gift giving IS appropriate, especially if it is not just habitual, not based on catalogue shopping and mall hopping. Add meaning to your giving by giving appropriate gifts... gifts based on information about the recipient, not what interests the giver or what the giver would like to receive.
For more information
October
Sustenance
Food
1-Reflect on Luke 12:22-32 or Matthew 6:25-33. Don't worry about what you'll eat or what you'll wear. That sounds like encouragement to live more simply.
SLW! Podcast #102: Keghann Jarchow, coordinator of the Sustainability Program at Univ. So. Dakota2-Learn about the power of "cheap food." Resist using foods that deprive other countries of food and have little or no nutritional value, such as coffee. Caffeine is an addictive drug. Other beverages, like fruit juice, can be just as socially inviting.
SLW! eNews #733-Reduce your consumption of red meat by 10%. It takes many gallons of water and many pounds of grain to make one pound of beef for our table.
The Common Good Podcast: Paul K. Chappell of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation4-Vertical integration of food is the process in which the most powerful resource becomes monopolized. The people who sell the food also control distribution, processing plants and production. We can vote against it with our dollars by shopping at Farmers Markets, by supporting community-based agriculture, by refusing to buy out-of-season fruits and vegetables.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish SUSTENANCE QUOTES
& ART
Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment
5-Consider fasting one regular meal time or one day per week. Use the discomfort to deepen awareness of poverty. Offer the savings to the poor.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Sukkot6-Help supply soup kitchens by gleaning unsold produce from grocery stores. Find out if you have a local Food Bank. Visit SecondHarvest.org: The Nation's Food Bank Network. Who do they help? Can you help too?
Weekly Nudge: Healthy Political Practices & Spiritual Disciplines #8. Best news/public affairs7-What "bottom line" do I use to decide what something is worth? Do I eat my food slowly and reflectively, or do I most often eat on the run? How could I buy more of my food from farmers in my area? (from Trek)
Guest blog: Eco-Justice: Persistent in Compassion and Justice (10/6)8-Food Co-ops like Blooming Prairie provide nutritious food. If you don't have a retail store in your area, you may have a buying co-op which takes orders once a month and delivers the following week. Be cautious of some "health food stores."
Celebrating Ugly Food on SLW! Podcast
For more information read Living More with Less, pp. 245-268 (Eating Together).
Recipes (from Developing Countries) & Food Preparation9-Cook with the World Community. Investigate recipes from other countries, especially developing countries. Obtain at least one alternative cookbook, such as the Mennonite's World Community Cookbook series: More-with-Less Cookbook; Extending the Table; the more recent ones Simply in Season and Simply in Season for Children. Hear an interview with the series editor on SLW! Podcast.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Indigenous Peoples' Day (Columbus Day)10-Vegetarians come in several flavors: those who eat no red meat; those who eat no meat; and Vegans, who eat no animal products (no milk, no eggs). Contact The Vegetarian Resource Group: Vegetarian Journal at vrg.org, or EarthSave.org: Personal Food Choices: Global Results.).
Weekly Digest11-Reduce processed food by at least 10% at each meal. Cooking "from scratch" takes more planning and time but is more nutritious and fun when done together. Make menu planning and shopping a social event, instead of a chore.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish SUSTENANCE QUOTES
& ART
12-Serve and take only what you and your household can eat. Go back for seconds if you're still hungry. Focus on flavor, not quantity. Try to throw nothing away. Develop clever ways of using left overs. Proudly eat chicken backs!
Weekly Nudge: Political & Spiritual Health #913-Research indicates that a typical in-home American father has only three minutes a day of direct conversation with his child. Also, an American couple that are still married only have five minutes a day of meaningful verbal exchange.
Guest Blog: OneEarth Economics-- Inter-religious Critique of Capitalism14-We can learn more about community by doing meal preparation and clean-up together. Vow to eat at least one meal a day together. Often we allow the school, the community, the TV, even the church to take away our common meal.
Guest blog: Eco-Justice: Save ANWR, Save the Climate15-We Americans now eat a great deal of expensive convenience food - at home or in restaurants. Many of its nutrients are processed out. We work more hours so we can afford more expensive food that's fast so that we can work more to buy more expensive, hollow, highly processed food. Can we find ways to stop the cycle?
SLW! Podcast #103: Kathy McGinnis of The Peace and Justice Institute16-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: World Food Day (Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 188-191; To Celebrate, p. 146). Contact U.S. National Committee for World Food Day at WorldFoodDayUSA.org.
For more information, read Food and Celebrations, Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 57-69; To Celebrate, Chapter 4, pp. 71-86; Living More with Less, pp. 245-268 (Eating Together).
Other October holidays include: Second Monday-Indigenous Peoples' Day; Columbus Day (To Celebrate, p. 145)
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming
17-Shop at Farmer's Markets. Eat mostly fruits and vegetables that are in season in your area. Most Americans are far removed from the source of their food and from the people who grow it. Our food travels an average of 1300 miles to reach our tables.
Weekly Digest18-Children's Sabbath. Children's Defense Fund (ChildrensDefense.org) publishes CDF Reports and sponsors Children's Sabbath. Take a stand for children in worship services, educational activities, community service and advocacy efforts.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish SUSTENANCE QUOTES
& ART
19-Top 10 reasons to buy organic: 1. Protect future generations, 2. Prevent soil erosion, 3. Protect water quality, 4. Save energy, 5. Keep chemicals off your plate, 6. Protect farm worker health, 7. Help small farmers, 8. Support a true economy, 9. Promote biodiversity, 10. Taste better flavor.
Weekly Nudge: Health #1020-We are endangered by the pesticides that have been banned in this country but exported to and used in poor countries. Write a letter to a government official protesting the dumping of toxic chemicals in Developing World markets.
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice -- Our Children's Trust21-Investigate sustainable agriculture and sustainable economic development.
COMING Non-Conform Freely Celebration, Oct. 24--Take-Back-Your-Time Day: Improving lives by eliminating the epidemic of overwork22-Biodiversity protects our food supply. Famines can result from monocultures. Extinction is forever. Contact SeedsOfChange.com: Organically Grown Seed (888/762-7333) and Seed Savers Exchange at SeedSavers.org.
Call for Whose Birthday? 2017 SubmissionsGuidelines
Index of past issues
23-Landmines make farming a very dangerous business in many parts of the world, particularly Southeast Asia. Petition the federal government to work for the elimination of the use of landmines that cripple, maim and kill civilians.
SLW! Weekly Digest24-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: United Nations Day (Treasury of Celebrations, p. 191; To Celebrate, p. 146)
Gardening25-Worth Reading: To Till It and Keep It: New Models for Congregational Involvement with the Land (715/294-2831). Or other resources from EarthMinistry.org
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on Nudges
Relish SUSTENANCE QUOTES
& ART
26-A weed is called "a plant out of place." A weed is in the eye of the beholder.
Weekly Nudge: HEALTH #1127-Organic gardening involves the use of natural herbicides and pesticides. Composting vegetation from the garden and the kitchen (no meat!) builds up the soil. Low maintenance composters work slowly. Adding worms and natural enzymes speeds up the process.
Guest Blog: The primary goal of Permaculture Activist is to provide information useful to people actively working to establish permaculture systems "on the ground."28-Gardening in an urban environment can be accomplished successfully in the total absence of land. Create rooftop gardens, especially on office buildings. Usually there's plenty of space, plenty of sun and access to water.
Guest blog: Eco-Justice: Four Strategies for Effective Action29- Subscription farming is a cooperative effort between a farmer and a group of subscribers. The subscribers put up the capital for the crop and help in the busy season. In return they get their share of the crop each week during harvest.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Reformation Sunday500th Anniversary SLW! Podcasts:
30-"Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." -from Matthew 6:19-21. Do my gadgets make me more or less fully human? What makes something designed to help me cross the line into weighing me down? (from Trek)
Catch up on NudgesRelish SUSTENANCE QUOTES & ART (Oct.)
Preview Celebration Quotes & Art (Nov.)
31-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Halloween (Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 192-196; To Celebrate, pp. 147-150).
Blog: Abstract Expressionist Halloween
Reformation Day (To Celebrate, p. 150).
For more informationSeptember
Non-Conform Freely
Media Literacy
1-Most of us know so little about something so powerful and pervasive in our lives: the media. We're familiar with print media (magazines and newspapers), electronic media (television, radio, cable and the internet) and other media (telephone, billboards, direct mail). But do we recognize its effect in our lives, our families, our society, our world?
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Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
2-We think of media as ways to receive information or entertainment. But the powers of commercialism see the media first and foremost as ways of delivering customers to advertisers. Through those eyes many other common items become media - anything that can carry a logo, a name - clothes, buses, sports stadiums. An average American sees 16,000 commercial impressions per day!
SLW! eNews #723-Media Literacy is an attempt to educate people about the power and techniques of the media. It includes the effects of advertising on our desires and the impact of violence on our behavior.
The Common Good Podcast: Enrique Morones of Border Angels4-Media Literacy is directly connected to Simple Living. True meaning and fun in life come from relationships with self, friends, family and God. Stuff is a burden, a barrier, that prevents us from cultivating those relationships.
Advertising is largely a powerful and devious obstacle to living more simply. Advertising tries to create needs in us that we don't have. To get us to buy things we really don't need... stuff that gets in our way of finding real meaning and happiness in life, stuff that uses our time, money and energy but gives little in return except the desire for more.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: LABOR DAY5-A helpful resource about the media is We Know What You Want. Learn about Screen-Free Week (formerly Turn Off TV Week).
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Flooded Cities - Here and There, Now and Then6-Contact Media Literacy groups for your own development, for the protection of your family, for the educating of your friends. Visit MediaLiteracy.com and Univ. Oregon Media Literacy.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish MEDIA QUOTES
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7-Center for Media Literacy, the largest producer of media literacy teaching materials in North America (800/226-9494 or MediaLit.org). The Media Education Foundation (800/659-6882 or MediaEd.org) provides educators and others with video resources toward the development of a critically minded, media-literate public.
Weekly Nudge8-Center for Science in the Public Interest (cspinet.org) fights alcohol and tobacco billboards. Citizens for Media Literacy promotes citizenship in the age of mass media.
For more information
September holidays include: First Monday-Labor Day
9-Advertising can give us information to meet our basic needs... food, shelter, etc. Objectionable ads create false expectations and needs that are really wants or desires. Are we really better people because of the beverage we drink? Will we be sexier if we buy a certain kind of car? Will we be more popular or successful if we wear certain kinds of clothes or perfume?
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Is This the One?10-When watching TV, ZAP the commercials (mute the sound). No need to be assaulted by aggressive car and soda pop commercials. Some consider ads "the price of admission." That's exactly what advertisers want you to think. The air waves belong to the people. We owe advertisers nothing!
SLW! Weekly Digest11-Avoid wearing commercial logos which attempt to convey status and promote overconsumption. Fingernail scissors will cut embroidered logos off of sweaters. Only wear messages that convey values that you truly believe in. Be the Message!
Non-Conform Freely Celebration/Commemoration: Sept. 11 - 9/11
12-If a national magazine carries an article that criticizes the tobacco industry or questions smoking, one large tobacco company that also owns food companies will pull its FOOD ads from the magazine.
Guest Blog: Why Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech13-Some advertisers are trying to capitalize on our desire for simpler lives. An expensive luxury car is hyped with a picture of the shiny vehicle and the word "Simplify." A national restaurant chain uses the slogan "Simplify your life. Eat out more." The Masters of Doublespeak!
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish MEDIA QUOTES
& ART
14-In the name of "research," some advertisers - without our permission or even our knowledge - place cameras in grocery stores to photograph our eyes as we shop. When we look at cereal, for example, a camera records our reaction to various boxes and even measures the length of time we focus on each box. This "research" helps advertisers decide what sells.
Weekly Nudge15-Are you a "news junkie?" Most commercial news broadcasts and talk shows stress the sensational. Too much stimulation from them can develop cynicism, even paranoia. Yes, we need to be informed, to protect ourselves. But moderate the input from commercial broadcasts and consider the alternative press, including public and independent radio and TV, especially Free Speech TV, LINK TV and Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman. Giving up something for Lent? Give up some media input... news and entertainment (wherever the line between them may be)... a-news-ment?
16-The Media Foundation (800/663-1243 or Adbusters.org) sponsors Buy Nothing Day and publishes the irreverent magazine Adbusters: Journal of the Mental Environment. The Center for Media and Democracy (PRWatch.org) publishes PR Watch:Public Interest Reporting on the PR/Public Affairs Industry.
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Deprivation or Opportunity Alternatives to TV, Video Games, Movies, Gambling17-Is there any difference between watching a concert by the Three Tenors or a game at the Three Rivers stadium? Professional sports, movies and the fine arts may be on different spots on the entertainment continuum, but they're on the same line, as long as there's a passive audience. A Beethoven symphony is engaging to some. So is a hard fought hockey game. And they may represent the same thing... struggle between good and evil. Let's support the Arts by DOING the ARTS ... drawing, writing, dancing, reading aloud. If we feel incompetent, let's take a class. (Continued)
SLW! Weekly Digest18-Amateurs and professionals are on a continuum too. The difference is not between "good" and "bad" art and entertainment but between passivity and involvement. Passive entertainment makes money for somebody else, so it's promoted. Active entertainment takes no more time but takes our energy. "The system" is designed primarily to keep us passive, to let professionals do the work while we pay them outrageous salaries. Non-conform freely. Reduce passive entertainment; increase active arts.
SLW! Podcast #101--Paul K. Chappell of Nuclear Age Peace Foundation presents Peace Literacy19- Play non-competitive, communications games with your family, such as Everyone Wins: Cooperative Games and Activities. (See January 21 for story telling games.)
Weekly Nudge: HEALTH #620-Alternatives can help equip you to present children with alternatives to TV, to be prepared for weekly family fun time, to help develop your child's social conscience, to help develop your child's spirituality and interpersonal skills.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish MEDIA QUOTES
& ART
21-International Day of Peace ('Peace Day')
The International Day of Peace ('Peace Day') is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.
22-First Day of Fall/Autumn
Worth investigating:
23- "But seek first God's kingdom and God's righteousness and all these thing will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33.
Guest Blog--Eco-Justice: Secretary Zinke's Empty World24- If you find gambling "fun," set a limit of what you would normally spend for an evening's entertainment. If you're given free chips as an incentive, spend them (and any winnings) and no more. The addiction of gambling is no "better" than any other addiction, legal or illegal.
SLW! Weekly Digest
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
25-Most marketing tries to create constant dissatisfaction and personal inadequacy. We need one more thing - THIS thing - to be happy. Ooops. Didn't work? Then try this. "A satisfied customer is not." (from Fool's Gold)
Guest Blog: A society beyond consumerism26-Beware of Spin. The purpose of public relations is to interpret events in the best interest of the client (a company, group or government) that the firm represents... not necessarily the public's best interest. "Spin doctors" are generally public relations people who "put a spin" on an event, to get the public to see the event in their client's best interest. We can't avoid all spin, all interpretation. Be aware of their purpose. Then beware.
Weekly Nudge: HEALTH #727-Some pet food is marketed not for the benefit of the pet but for the "tastes" of the owner. Beware of owner-driven pet food advertising. If you have a pet, consult with a veterinarian or a pet store owner you really trust.
Midweek Sabbath: Catch up on NudgesRelish MEDIA QUOTES
& ART
28-Help prevent pet overpopulation. If you join your local ASPCA, make your membership specifically for the spaying and neutering of pets.
Take care of your pet if you have one. Pets are not people. They are God's Creatures too. But with people starving around the world it's no better to be lavish with pets than with ourselves. Everybody needs to live more simply, including our pets!
Guest Blog: Toward an Ecological Civilization29-Petition your governmental representatives to make advertising a non-deductible business expense.
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice -- Not My Neighbor?30-Jean Kilbourne (JeanKilbourne.com) has produced videos (Killing Us Softly, Calling the Shots and Pack of Lies) and gives illustrated lectures on the cumulative impact of advertising on attitudes, values and behavior. MediaWatch.com challenges racism, sexism and violence in media.
Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Yom KippurOther holidays in September/October include:
August
Personal Choices, Happiness, Fulfillment
Sustenance QUOTES || ARTWeek One: Work, Stress & Health
1-Several paths lead to Voluntary Simplicity. In secular "downshifting" one may take a different job with a smaller income and less stress. Then move into a smaller house in a rural area, grow some vegetables, gain control of credit cards and pay off debts. That's downshifting to increase personal happiness.
SLW! Podcast: Vicki Robin, writer, speaker, social innovator, co-author of the classic Your Money or Your Life
2-Christians try to live more simply for some of the same reasons. But there's more... to be in touch with God and to help others. Simplicity is a way of life of integrity, living as a disciple of Jesus, walking our talk.
MidWeek Sabbath: Catch up on latest Nudges; relish Sustenance QUOTES & ART
3-"Be still and know that I am God!"-Psalm 46:10. Take a few minutes each day for meditation and prayer, with or without devotional material. Be silent, be still, be open to what God may be telling you.
4-Here's something so many can agree on! So many issues keep people apart. Here at Simple Living Works! we hear from many different people - all excited, or relieved, or cautious but interested - that there really is a group working on the over commercialization of Christmas. Thank you to all the editors of magazines and so many others who have helped us get out the good news of Simple Living! Encourage your editor to run an article about Alternatives.
The Common Good Podcast: Walter Brueggemann on the Primal Power of Money and Possession, part 25-Moderate the Work Ethic. Learn how it so permeates our thinking and interaction with others, especially our children. It can be a killer!
Guest blog: Eco-Justice: The Church and Ecocide
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
6-Peace Day/Hiroshima Day
7-Let's listen to our bodies and minds. Don't ignore mental, physical or spiritual symptoms. Pain means something. Years of stress may be stored up before symptoms appear. And then WHAM! Reduce stress by exercise and verbalization of feelings. Physical activity alone is not enough. Speak out loud, even if to yourself, while exercising.
8-Working ten hour days and feeling really productive? Or feeling accused or "not good enough"? It's all stress. The body doesn't distinguish between "positive" and "negative" stress. We can't eliminate stress. We can moderate it. Learn the basic techniques of massage. Find a partner who can give a decent back rub.
9-Living more simply can be lonely. Others in our families, in our church, in our social circle may think we're weird. Find another Simple Liver. Maybe start a support group or study circle. This site has guidelines and recommendations of several excellent study guides.
MidWeek Sabbath: Catch up on latest Nudges; relish Sustenance QUOTES & ART
10-Simple Livers connect for support... by social media, mail, phone, e-mail, face-to-face through the Simpler Living Community Network. Visit SimplerLivingWorks.org >> Volunteers.
In honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
Thy kingdom come:
What do you expect as you pray the words 'your kingdom come' from the Lord's Prayer? You might be thinking about a blessed promised future in heaven. You might be thinking ahead to the very next line of the Lord's Prayer, considering God's 'kingdom' as whenever and wherever God's will is being done.
11-There's a great hunger for help with simplifying. If you could speak about Voluntary Simplicity or if your group wants a presentation or display, contact lifestyle ministry of your denominational hunger program. Check out the emphasis of your denominational Women's Organization.
Guest Blog: Becoming Minimalist--Simplifying After Tragedy Strikes
12-For information on living in community with others, consider Communities magazine - Life in Cooperative Culture. Hear SLW! podcast episode 49 with Fellowship for Intentional Community
Guest blog: Eco-Justice--Accepting North Korea
13-7 Golden Rules for Good Health - 1. Eat breakfast. 2. Eat nutritious snacks moderately or not at all. 3. Get seven to eight hours of sleep per day regularly. 4. Maintain ideal weight. 5. Exercise aerobically at least three times per week. 6. Use alcohol in moderation or not at all. 7. Don't smoke.
14-Simplify-organize-delegate - in that order! -from Simply Organized.
Guest Blog: Prayer & Politiks--We Are Charlottesville
15-"Time is NOT money" - Doris Janzen Longacre. Many programs about time management and organizing our lives urge us to get the most out of every minute. Why? Who's telling us that we must continually strive to do more, work faster, get better organized, be the best? Those "values" drive us to be "successes," to make lots of money, regardless of the effect on family and Creation. Christian discipleship calls us to make good use of God's gifts, to be stewards of Creation, to put relationships above buying, maintaining and protecting more stuff.
16-We may need to be better organized and to make better use of our time to benefit others and ourselves. But why? If it's to acquire and consume more things, it's bound to be disappointing. Meaning comes from relationships with God and other people, not from stuff.
MidWeek Sabbath: Catch up on latest Nudges; relish Sustenance QUOTES & ART
For more information
17-Many organizations offer educational tours to learn first hand about economic and social conditions in developing countries. Contact your denomination's office of Global Mission or the Center for Global Education at http://www.augsburg.edu/global/. Consider Trips of Perspective offered by Faith and Money Network or Delegations to Southern Mexico with Jubilee OneEarth Economics
Simple Living Works! VIDEO, part 1: 5 Life Standards
18-Practice "Eco-Tourism." Take the Earth, the ecology, into account when traveling... the people, plants, animals, terrain, air and water. Step out of the "bubble" that most Americans travel in. Shed expectations about food, language, etc. Investigate TransitionsAbroad.com: The Guide to Learning, Living and Working Overseas.
Simple Living Works! VIDEO, part 2: Do Justice!19-Small groups, big adventures with Intrepid Travel
CLOSED--Forum Travel International (ForumInternational.com), a leader in eco-tourism, offers over 1200 trips in 135 different countries worldwide. Developed over the last 30 years with concerns for the environment and the socio-cultural effects of tourism, packages are crafted to the travelers' time and budget. Naturalist-guides ensure that you experience the natural and cultural diversity and richness of your destination.
Guest blog: Eco-Justice-- Prayer for Times of Turmoil
20-What price am I willing to pay to swim against the tide? What am I able to do while riding the bus that I cannot do while driving a car? What feelings do I have as I ride the bus? Investigate modes of alternative transportation.
21-A Creation Awareness Center (Green Congregation Program) is your church building, grounds, programs and people. A church that becomes a Creation Awareness Center makes the celebration and care of the Earth a dimension of its total ministry! Visit WebOfCreation.org.
Simple Living Works! VIDEO, part 3: Learn from the World Community
22-Care of the Earth is highlighted in worship. Adult and Sunday School classes are offered on environmental issues. Members are encourage to reduce, reuse, recycle and restore. Area environmental concerns are discussed and acted upon. Church building and grounds are kept up to reflect energy efficiency and environmental concern. And, in many other ways, church members are encouraged and empowered to act as caretakers of God's Earth in the church, their homes, the community and the world.
23-Your congregation becomes a Creation Awareness Center by: A. Assessing your church's current involvement in Earthkeeping, B. Sending interested representatives to meetings to explore with resource persons and with each other about how we can make this vision come true, C. Creating a priority in church for celebrating God's ongoing creation, and for making environmental concerns an important part of our ministry, D. Working on areas within the church building and the life of the congregation that need improvement, E. Reviewing the environmental assessment again to measure progress and to point up needs.
MidWeek Sabbath: Catch up on latest Nudges; relish Sustenance QUOTES & ART
24-When planning a public event - a worship service, a concert, a meeting, a convention - follow environmental guidelines so that your event is a witness to care of Creation. And say so, for example, using the recycled logo on the event program.
For more information
Simple Living Works! VIDEO, part 4: Cherish the Natural Order
Week Four: Homes & Buildings: Construction, Energy Generating, Appliances
25-When some folks retire, they build a new, larger house, "just in case the kids come to visit." When others retire it's to show the world what status they have achieved during their working years. Ask, "How much space can we justify taking up now that we're alone?" Then downsize! Isn't it cheaper and MORE JUST to pay for motel rooms when the kids come than to maintain a palace for those few visits?
Simple Living Works! VIDEO, part 5: Nurture People, Not Things
26-Women's Equality Day (To Celebrate, p. 140). In the United States, August 26th, Women's Equality Day, marks the anniversary of women's right to vote, won in 1920. International Women's Day, a day to honor women, is celebrated throughout the world. Set on March 8, the day commemorates a march of women garment and textile workers in New York City in 1857.
Guest blog: Eco-Justice--Parts per Trillion
27-When considering renovating, building new or adding on, consider alternative construction, such as the geodesic dome, straw bale or rammed earth home. One of the best sources for information and the latest, most efficient technology is RealGoods.com -- Off-Grid Living since 1978 (800/762-7325).
28-Raise the roof! The goal of Habitat for Humanity International (800/HABITAT or Habitat.org) is to eliminate inadequate and poverty housing as a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, Fuller Center for Housing from the founder of Habitat.
Simple Living Works! VIDEO, part 6: Non-Conform Freely
29-Like to save some money on your energy bill every month? There are some relatively inexpensive ways you can add to or change your heating system - called retrofitting - that can save. If you need a new furnace or plan to build a new building, there are big ways you can save. Consider living "off the grid," independent of the power company. To learn more about alternative power sources to supplement what you already have, investigate Real Goods' Solar Energy Sourcebook at RealGoods.com.
BONUS Blog: Tolerate the Heat
30-Typical North Americans buy four-bedroom houses for two people. Why? "Because we can." Imagine the surprise of friends and relatives when a family of four moves into a smaller house and a parent takes a job at half salary so that they can spend more time together. Why? "Because we can!" Study Guides worth reading: Six Weeks to a Simple Lifestyle.
MidWeek Sabbath: Catch up on latest Nudges; relish Sustenance QUOTES & ART
31- He asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" - from Luke. When, if ever, do I come face to face with poor people? How does that happen? What values and beliefs are reflected by where I choose to live? (from Trek) The question is both WHO is my neighbor and HOW to be a neighbor.
Reader NUDGE: Start a peace jar. Put your loose change in a jar. When it is full, decide as a couple or a family where the money is best used to promote peace.
For more information
WORK AREA
01 Simple Living Works! 5 Life Standards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ1ozu4PkaA
02 Simple Living Works! Do Justice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv03SFcLxxo
03 Simple Living Works! Learn from the World Community https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE_wh-pUb3s
04 Simple Living Works! Cherish the Natural Order https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmTF3_sIR7c
05 Simple Living Works! Nurture People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FbwYrkbx0
06 Simple Living Works! Non-conform Freely https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v56NmUvI-Q0
07 Simple Living Works! Mission https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkUk_flHN4k
08 Simple Living Works! Live Justly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dvHoUjlvkE
09 Simple Living Works! Celebrate Responsibly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MAzj2pPohE
10 Simple Living Works! Influence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Jpp6e6JHw
11 Simple Living Works! Q&A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgRjvV0m7Qc
12 Simple Living Works! Testimonials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWiPu6vfB-Q
July
Economics QUOTES & ARTMoney & Goods
Green Business
1, Sat.-Meditate on the many kinds of abundance in life. "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."-from John 10:7-18. "The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy."-from Psalm 65. "The mountains and the hills before you shall burst forth into song."-from Isaiah 55:6-13
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Act Locally (6/30)
2, Sun.-A Green Business is a company that strives to make a profit while making the Earth and its people a top priority. It takes responsibility for the short- and long-term effects of its products. It may have a Code of Ethics like the Ceres Principles.
SLW! Podcast: Shane Claiborne, part 1
3, Mon.-One of the best sources for information about Green Business is Green America's (formerly Co-op America) National Green Pages: A Directory of Products and Services for People and the Planet. Discover thousands of socially and environmentally responsible businesses. Find hundreds of tips to save you money, improve your life and protect the planet. Meet the green businesses that are rewriting the rules of commerce... and succeeding. Call 800/58-GREEN or visit GreenAmerica.org. A Green America membership includes a very worthwhile journal.
4, Tues.-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Independence Day. Immigrants? Refugees? Illegal aliens? Celebrate the Fourth by welcoming strangers.
5, Wed.-Are garage sales a good thing? Signs of frugality? Promoting reusing? Sharing good stuff with folks who can't afford new stuff? A good fund-raiser for worthwhile groups? What is the intent? To simplify our lives or just to clear out a bunch of stuff we're tired of so we can load up on what's new and exciting?
Mid-week Sabbath: take a break, catch up on the latest nudges, or relish these Economics QUOTES & ART.
6, Thur.-Is it better to buy in quantity at warehouse markets for economic stewardship, or to support the local small business? Yes. We wrestle. Living more simply is not simple.
7, Fri.-Worth investigating - The E. F. Schumacher Society (SchumacherCenterForANewEconomics.org) promotes the ideas of Schumacher's classic Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered and implements those ideas in practical programs that link economics, ecology and culture.
Jubilee OneEarth Economics blog--Save the Carrizo Plain!
8, Sat.-"One's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."-from Luke 12:13-34. What do I own that is not necessary for the activities I find most meaningful? What would I do with my free time if I only had to spend half as much time working? (from Trek)
For more information read Living More with Less, pp., 73-98 (Money).
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Imperatives for a New Moral Era
Green Investing
9, Sun.-When investing, be aware that some mutual fund companies, families of mutual funds, insurance companies and other investment companies have "green" funds, "socially responsible funds" or at least "social screens." These screens are criteria that companies must meet before the investing company will invest.
The Common Good Podcast: Episode 85 :: Lee & Jerry: Actions for a Better World in a Time of Climate Change and U.S. Extremism10, Mon.-The most common screens are no tobacco, alcohol or armaments. Other screens deal with hiring practices, employee conditions, etc. Some companies announce their screens to attract investors. Other companies keep their screens quiet not to scare investors away.
11, Tues.-Many people feel that the only thing that matters is the financial return, not their consciences. They fear that such screens will mean lower returns. The irony is that companies with screens have been keeping up with and in some cases out-performing those that have none! Socially responsible investing may also be profitable.
July 11-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: World Population Day
12, Wed.-The number of green funds and families of funds is increasing. Some of the oldest and best known are Pax, Calvert, Working Assets and Parnassus. You can deal with these funds directly.
Save Net Neutrality! Day of Action
Hear Democracy Now! 7/11 -- Battle For the Net: Mass Day of Action Aims to Stop Trump's FCC from Destroying Free & Open Internet
Former FCC Commissioner on How Greater Media Consolidation is a Threat to Democracy and Free Speech
Everyone Can Stand up for Net Neutrality
Watch John Oliver's stunning rant!
Also, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on the dangers of Network Consolidation (Sinclair Broadcast Group)
13-One of the best sources for information on green investing is Greenmoney Journal: Socially & Environmentally Responsible Business, Investing and Consumer Resources (GreenMoneyJournal.com).
MidWeek Sabbath: Catch up on latest Nudges; relish Economics QUOTES & ART
14-More resources - The Clean Yield: Principles and Profits Working Together (CleanYield.com); NCFE (National Center for Financial Education, NCFE.org); and The Pocket Change Investor (available free online at a href="http://www.goodadvicepress.com/pci.htm"> Good Advice Press.
15-To pay less income tax, keep your taxable income as low as possible and give away as much as possible. Some taxes can be sheltered or delayed. The income is not claimed until retirement when, supposedly, your income (and tax bracket) is lower.
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Rejecting Energy Dominance
16-Saving for retirement? Security is more than money. In old age, friends, family and faith provide comfort. Network now! Put relationships in your account, not just funds.
SLW! Podcast--Shane Claiborne, part 2Green Products
17-The tenth commandment is against covetousness, the inner lust to have, which leads to stealing and oppression. Might the 11th Commandment be: Thou Shalt Not Tempt Thy Neighbor. What can we do to discourage coveting, such as not buying, wearing or displaying expensive things?
18-Seventh Generation: Products for a Healthy Planet (SeventhGeneration.com, 800/456-1177) is based on the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."
Guest Blog: The OneEarth Project-- With U.S. Abdicating Leadership on Climate, Is Any World Leader Likely to Give This Speech? The Podium Waits
19, Wed.-The X Generation, the 13th Generation, may be the first generation in America's history not to have more prosperity than the preceding generation. X'ers may not have the disposable income to buy and consume and... Maybe they're lucky! Maybe they won't have all the temptations that recent generations have had... the peer pressure to be the best, to spend the most, to conquer the world. (Continued)
20-This seems to be a generation ripe for Voluntary Simplicity. The less they spend, the less they have to make. And THEY'RE STILL OK! They're no less important than the spendthrifts who preceded us. In fact, they have an even greater chance to do something really important because they won't be burdened with all that stuff. They have great prospects... and hopefully less baggage.
21-Simple Living Network sponsors a range of resources, including on-line communities at SimpleLivingForum.net.
Guest Blog: Eco-JusticeThe Forest and the Trees (7/21)22-Beware of collections. The appeal, the "beauty" of collections is that we pay for the items but never use them. Collecting is an additional source of income for manufacturers. Collectors bought over $30 million of the Elvis Stamp from Post Office Philatelic stores for collections, not to deliver mail. (Continued)
23-Collectors hope that an item's value will increase in the future. It may... to other collectors! As long as we perpetuate the myth that rarity gives worth, collectors are safe. Baseball cards, comic books... without the need to possess, even if the item has virtually no intrinsic value, the system falls. Collecting gives false security... financial and psychological.
Break Forth into Joy!
Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle
A Modern "Christmas Carol"
(with apologies to Charles Dickens)
MAIN SEGMENT
Video //
Script //
Study/Action Guide
24-Non-conforming freely may happen both privately and publicly. Consider some non-mainstream media. Investigate Simple Living; YES!: A Journal of Positive Futures; Center for a New American Dream at NewDream.org or PODCASTS.
Break Forth into Joy!Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle
Freedom & Possessions (part 1)
Video // Script // Study/Action Guide
Personal Finance, Credit & Debt
25-Use credit cards wisely. Have only one. Use it only for purchases that you can pay off at the end of the month. Then do it! Be aware that credit cards vary in annual fees, monthly interest, late charges. Preferably, use a debit card, which takes money from your account.
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
More ART
Break Forth into Joy!
Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle
Family & Children (part 2)
Video //
Script //
Study/Action Guide
26, Wed.- For long term debt, such as a home mortgage or car purchase, consider your options. The first is always "don't go into debt." Find a simpler house, a simpler car. Consider borrowing from relatives or from yourself (such as cash value in a life insurance policy). Never use a credit card.
27-Avoid credit card cash advances. They have no grace period. Interest begins accruing immediately. Credit card "checks" are a form of the dreaded cash advance.
28-Beware of credit card promotions! One huge credit card processor proclaims "Simplify your life in the New Year!... Consolidate your holiday bills... It's definitely time for a break - from high interest, from holiday bills, from seasonal stress - from the everyday. Get the break you deserve.... With fewer bills to pay, you could end up with extra time and money on hand each month." Except for short-term "promotional rates," their typical account pays over 17% interest. Then came a notice that, among other increases, the late payment fee increased from $10 to $20!
Break Forth into Joy!
Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle
Local & Global Connections / Taking Action (part 3)
Video //
Script //
Study/Action Guide
29 - Debt is the companion - the Enforcer - of the addiction of overconsumption. Debt is a monster, a mobster that would control your life! Avoid debt by controlling consumption.
Guest Blog: Eco-Justice Act and Pray in the Season of Creation
30-Saving for kids' college education? Spend time with them now, help them develop. Then don't pressure them to be a part of a "get-ahead" system that may leave them stressed out and in debt.
Break Forth into Joy!
Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle
Testimonials
SLW! Videos //
Script //
Study/Action Guide
31- Consider barter, community loans, exchanging services and goods, prepaying your mortgage to free up cash, and even alternative currencies like that in Ithaca, NY.
Classic SLW! blog--Vision of the Future: Why might this generation's parents give the next generation permission not to have children?
For more informationJune
Alternative Giving
For more information read Treasury of Celebrations, Part II: Gifts, pp. 88-126.
Popular among young adults is the concept of Minimalism. Investigate BecomingMinimalist.com, TheMinimalists.com and JoelZaslofsky.com (Smart and Simple Matters).
To obtain materials on Alternative Gift Markets, see To Celebrate, pp. 44-46.
For a list of agencies you may wish to contact for more information
on a specific area of concern or for the purpose of making a charitable donation,
see
# # #
June 1, Thur. -Guest Blog: Jubilee OneEarth Economics--Mixed News at Medicare-for-All Rally (5/26)
June 2, Fri. - SLW! Podcast #94: Despite Current Backwards Government, Iowa State Senator Rob Hogg Shares Positive Vision in SLW! Podcast
June 3, Sat. - SLW! eNews #69
June 4, Sun. - Pentecost - The Holy Spirit is neither a heavenly natural phenomenon nor a spirit from the netherworld, rather God's voice to us and among us. // Worship Alternatives
Alternative Pentecost and Ordinary Time
June 5, Mon. - Guest Blog: Eco-Justice Ministries--There Is Still an Agreement
June 6, Tues. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Nudge
June 7, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: take a break, catch up on the latest nudges, or relish these Alternative Giving QUOTES.
Volunteering
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
June 8, Thur. -Guest Blog
Big Trouble Comin': An Interview with Walter Brueggemann
by Don Golden
The Bible confronts empires from Egypt to Rome, each, as you say, 'amid great concentrations of wealth and power.' How is the biblical pattern of empire at work today?
June 9, Fri. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest
June 10, Sat. - Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Defending Earth Community
Coming Non-Conform-Freely Celebration: June 14, Flag Day
June 11, Sun. - The Common Good Podcast Episode 84 :: Patricia St. Onge: Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Peoples Coming Together for OneEarth Living
June 12, Mon. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Nudge
June 13, Tues. - In preparation for Flag Day, fly an Earth flag to show that our allegiance is first to Earth, then to a country, culture or civilization.
June 14, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: Catch up on the latest nudges, or relish these Alternative Giving QUOTES & ART.
June 15, Thur. - Guest Blog: The OneEarth Project--Patricia St. Onge (Haudenosaune) on Standing Together since Standing Rock
More Alternative Giving
June 16, Fri. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest--NEW--Prayer & Politiks. Check it out!
June 17, Sat. - Guest Blog: Eco-Justice--Pray for the Rainforest
Coming Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations: June 18 (Third Sunday)-Father's Day; June 21, First Day of Summer
June 18, Sun. -(Third Sunday)-- Father's Day
June 19, Mon. -SLW! Blog: Weekly Nudge--SURVIVAL #5
June 20, Tues. - First Day of Summer
Celebrating Summer
Long days and vacations
Have a solstice party
Los Ninos 'vacation' in Mexico: A gloriously different experience
What you shouldn't leave home without: Ethics and tourism in the developing world
A code of ethics for tourists
Take a just holiday
June 21, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: Catch up on the latest nudges, or relish these Alternative Giving QUOTES & ART.
Week Four: 06/22/17--Planning Alternative/'Non-Conform Freely' Christmas Events
June 22, Thur. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest
June 23, Fri. - Non-Conform Freely Celebration: RETIREMENT
Time to get deeper into the fray
Homer's heifer celebration
Retirees make hospital possible
Washboard band scrubs myths about the aging
Rite to retire
The gift of a lifetime
Grandpa's room
June 24, Sat. - Guest Blog: Eco-Justice and Health Care, 2017
June 25, Sun. - Guest Blog: Jubilee OneEarth Economics--Wes Howard-Brook on the Religion of Empire vs. the Religion of Creation in the Bible and Beyond
June 26, Mon. - Guest Blog: Millennials + Minimalism...Hold On, It's Not What You Think
by Eric Minton
So when we talk despairingly about godless and rootless 'millennials' wasting money on brunch and locally-sourced-artisanal-fedoras, we are standing on the shoulders of an entire system that understands the great question animating existence on this Earth to be: 'What's the best way to spend all my extra resources?'
June 27, Tues. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Nudge: SURVIVAL #6. Install solar panels and a household battery.
June 28, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: take a break, catch up on the latest nudges, or relish these Alternative Giving QUOTES & ART.
June 29, Thu. - Planning Alternative/'Non-Conform Freely' Christmas Events
Many churches and groups organize Alternative Christmas events in the fall. Alternatives' How to Organize an Alternative Christmas Community Festival and Planning an Alternative Christmas Workshop might help. The following three basic plans can be used singly or combined.
#1. Offer information about worthwhile organizations and encourage people to give a monetary gift in someone else's name. Most people consider it an honor to receive a "gift" that makes a difference. Contact Alternative Gifts International (800/842-2243 or AltGifts.org)
#2. Sell to or give to others crafts and clothing from artisans of non-industrial countries. Your family and friends get beautiful gifts at reasonable prices. Fair Trade artisans get a fair price for their work since volunteer fairs and shops don't take a large share. Contact: SERRV International (SERRV.org); Ten Thousand Villages (TenThousandVillages.com); Friends of the Third World (FriendsOfTheThirdWorld.org) and Sharing the Dream (SharingTheDream.org).
#3. Organize an Alternative Christmas Workshop at your church. Several churches might work together. Go beyond gift-giving to the purpose of celebrating Christmas. Give people other ways to celebrate. Use support materials like Unplug the Christmas Machine and Leader's Guide to Unplug the Christmas Machine Workshop, also in audio. (See December.)
Alternatives' gift card & envelope "We Honor Christ's Birth by Continuing His Work" helps when we give gifts in other peoples' names. Check with them before giving, or give to groups they already support or have said they would like to support, groups you can support with a clear conscience.
To shop by mail for Fair Trade Crafts, contact those listed in #2 above and read excerpts from The Conscious Consumer: Promoting Economic Justice Through Fair Trade. Become familiar with FairTradeFederation.org (formerly Fair Trade Resource Network). Also see Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 285-286.
June 30, Fri. - Coming in July: Money & Goods // Green Business || Green Investing || Green Products || Personal Finance, Credit & Debt || Economics QUOTES & ART
May '17
May, 2017 = 05/17
Reflect this week: Environment - The 4 R's: Reduce
May 1, Mon. - Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations-- May Day: a spring festival, marking the revival of nature after winter. Our lives are much better because the labor movement won the struggle for an eight-hour work day.
May 2, Tues. - Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations--May 1-7--Screen-Free Week (formerly TV Turnoff Week and Digital DeTox Week, the last week in April) from the Center for Screen-Time Awareness. Escape the Fantasy - Get Real! No more radiation, laugh tracks or gratuitous violence. And once you try real life, you may never want to go back to the simulated variety again. Visit ScreenFree.org
May 3, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: Catch up on the latest nudges or relish these Care of Creation QUOTES & ART
May 4, Thur. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest/Weekly Nudge
May 5, Fri. - Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations Cinco de Mayo
May 6, Sat. - SLW! Podcast : Hazel Henderson, part 2--Ethical Markets
May 7, Sun. - Sanity Suggestion #1. Computer Shield. Tape a piece of paper or a large picture of a loved one or a nature scene to your computer monitor. Flip it down to cover three-quarters of the screen when you check your email so that you can't see the news feed of your browser. That way you can still click 'mail' but not be assaulted by the face of a politician who may remind you of so much that's wrong in our society now. Once you're into your mail, flip the paper back up.
Coming Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations: 14, Sun. - Mother's Day
Week Two - 05/08/17
Reflect this week Environment - The 4 R's: ReUse.
May 8, Mon. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest/Weekly Nudge
May 9, Tues. - TheCommonGoodPodcast Episode 83 :: Hazel Henderson: Reforming Economies to Work for the Wellbeing of All Creatures
May 10, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: catch up on the latest nudges, or relish these More Care of Creation QUOTES & ART
May 11, Thur. - Banishing Fake News #1: By far the best sources of news, public affairs and documentaries are Free Speech TV (FreeSpeech.org) and LINKtv (LinkTV.org), both available primarily on satellite tv and the internet.
May 12, Fri. - SLW! Blog EXTRA
May 13, Sat. - Guest Blog from Eco-Justice: God, Mammon and Methane (5/12)
Coming Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations - May 14, Sun. -- Mother's Day
May 14, Sun. - Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations-- Mother's Day. Anna Jarvis envisioned Mother's Day as a time of recommitment to honoring and caring for mothers, especially mothers who were no longer able to care for themselves. But she was dismayed to see the way the holiday was celebrated. She lived to see Mother's Day become the victim of commercialism, when honoring mothers was reduced to giving flowers, cards, and gifts. She died in 1948, disappointed and disillusioned that her work had been so trivialized.
This week reflect: Environment - The 4 R's: Recycle
May 15, Mon. - We've cancelled our vacation to Alaska and plan to see the fall colors in Vermont instead. More information about 'I Buy Blue. Won't You Too?' I Buy Blue
May 16, Tue. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest/Weekly Nudge
May 17, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: catch up on the latest nudges and relish these Even More Care of Creation QUOTES & ART
May 18, Thur. -
SLW! Podcast: Adrienne Raimo, R.D.N., L.D., C.H.C., serves as the coordinator for The Minimalists, Columbus, OH. Integrative & Functional Dietitian, L.D. Columbia University Certified Health & Wellness Coach; Medical & Corporate Wellness Dietitian
May 19, Fri. - Guest blog: The OneEarth Project -- Teaching Important Ecology Choices in Adult Forums at St. Paul's Cathedral (Episcopal), San Diego
May 20, Sat. - Guest blog: Eco-Justice -- The Island of Plastic Junk
Coming Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations: Thur. May 25 -Ascension
This week reflect: Environment - The 4 R's: ReStore.
May 21, Sun. - Simple Living SURVIVAL Suggestions. Californians must be prepared for an earthquake anytime. Now everyone in the US must prepare for emergencies and disasters -- natural, political, social, spiritual. #1. Don't waste time, money or energy trying to convert fundamentalists. They are not open to what you offer. Focus on supporting progressives and other open-minded people.
May 22, Mon. --Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Graduations
It is not enough to leave these important passages to commencement rituals nor to treat them as new occasions for needless consumption. Observances at home, with friends and in one's religious community can give these passages the attention they merit and aid the graduate to move on to life's next stage.
May 23, Tue. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest/Weekly Nudge
May 24, Wed. - Mid-week Sabbath: take a break, catch up on the latest nudges, or relish these Yet Even More Care of Creation QUOTES & ART
May 25, Thur. - Non-Conform-Freely Celebration: Ascension Day // A Personal View of the Ascension
May 26, Fri. - Guest blog: The OneEarth Project Kiss the Ground and Affectionately Solve the Crisis of Too Much CO2 in Our Air
May 27, Sat. - Coming Alternate celebrations: May 30, Mon. - Memorial Day
Coming Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations: Sun., June 4 - Pentecost
May 28, Sun. - SLW! Blog: Weekly Digest/Weekly Nudge
May 29, Mon. - Memorial Day
An Alternate Memorial Day: We can honor Memorial Day and other patriotic holidays without buying into the 'We're #1! ' mentality.
May 30, Tues. - Guest blog: Eco-Justice -- The Pontiff vs. the President
May 31, Wed.- Mid-week Sabbath: Catch up on the latest nudges or relish these Yet Even More Care of Creation QUOTES & ART
Coming in June: Alternative Giving || Contributions || Volunteering || Planning Alternative Christmas Events || One Way to Solve Our Beggar Dilemma
2017
April
Voluntary Simplicity Life Principle #5: Cherish the Natural Order
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
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Water
1 - Read the Story of the Creation in Genesis chapters 1 & 2. Reflect on 'And Lord God put the human in the Garden of Eden to take care of it.' -Genesis 2:15.
2 - Our water is both precious and finite. While water covers 3/4 of the Earth's surface, 97.4% is salt water; 1.8% is frozen; only 0.8% is fresh water. Let's challenge the wasting and poisoning of our water supply. Over 1.5 billion people lack safe drinking water. Here's an invitation to conserve!
3 -Turn the water off when not needed while washing hands, shaving, brushing teeth. Washing hands with tap running constantly takes two gallons; only one with the tap off and on. Shaving, tap on, 20 gallons; tap off, only one; brushing teeth, tap on, 10; tap off, only 1/2!
4 - How much water would I use each day if I had to pump or carry it by hand? (from Trek) Normal toilet flushing uses 5-7 gallons. Fill a small milk jug and put it in the tank. Better yet, install an efficient toilet that uses fewer than 2 gallons.
5 - A small leak from a faucet can waste 50 gallons of water per day. Fix leaky faucets. When using public facilities, report drips to the proper authorities. Ask why automatic sprinklers are running in the rain. Why do we water the street? When appropriate, recommend a drip system instead of sprinklers for lawn and garden.
6 - The average washing machine uses 40 gallons per load. Can you wash fewer loads each week? Review your rationale for washing. Is it based on global solidarity, health considerations or advertising? "Sparkling clean" sells more soap but might do nothing for our health.
7 - Take only the number of showers you really need. Try one fewer this week. Need a shower to wake up? Wash your face instead. Install low flow shower heads. A regular shower uses 25 gallons; tub bath, 36. But a wet-down, soap-up, rinse-off shower uses only about four gallons! Turn off the water while soaping.
8 - It takes 1000 gallons of water to produce one pound of aluminum. If your state does not have a deposit on beverage containers, petition your state representatives to require it. Reduce or cease using aluminum cans altogether. Both producing and recycling aluminum are financially and ecologically costly.
SLW! blog: Toting My Water
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
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Learn more about these holidays in Treasury of Celebrations and To Celebrate.
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
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Energy
9 - At church, home or office heat only the part of the building you are using, not the whole thing, with high efficiency space heaters.
10 - Set thermostats no higher than 68F in the winter and no lower than 78F in the summer. Dress appropriately. Style is no excuse to waste energy! Layers of clothing can be put on or taken off to keep comfy. Use the body's natural heating and cooling systems.
11 - Consider using spot lighting rather than general lighting. Convert incandescent bulbs to fluorescent or other high efficiency bulbs. Turn off incandescent lights whenever not in use; turn off fluorescent lights if you do not expect to return within an hour.
12 - Wash the dishes by hand today; get somebody to help; tell jokes. Hang the clothes out to dry this week. Inquire about an energy audit from your local utility.
13 - Plan recreation that gives physical exercise and/or builds relationships but uses little fuel or other nonrenewable resources. Take only short trips or carpool, walk, bike or use public transit.
14 - Turn your water heater thermostat down to no higher than 120F. After heating and air conditioning, the water heater is usually the biggest user of energy in a house. Wrapping it in a thermal blanket will increase it's insulation and your savings.
15 - Worth Reading - Creation Care Capsules and Eco-Justice Notes
16 - Read the Story of Noah in Genesis 6-9:17. Reflect on 6:19-22 and 9:8-17. God does not want the Earth harmed.
For more information
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity: Care of Creation
17 - Reflect on the implications of the Prophet. "Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?" - Ezekiel 34:18
18 - Reduce the use of make-up by at least 10%. Let your natural beauty shine! Be aware of the pressure on women to conform to "Madison Avenue's" standard of appearance. Read labels. If you must use make-up, only use brands not tested on animals.
19 - Reduce the use of chemicals for cleaning. Then use only biodegradable, "green" products. Are our standards based on health or appearance? Can our Earth afford the "whitest white"?
20 - Reduce chemicals on your lawn and garden. Consider a low-maintenance lawn (like Buffalo grass) that requires less water and mowing. Reduce lawn mowing by at least 10%. An average gas mower cutting an average American lawn pollutes as much as a 300 mile car trip.
21 - The first R is the most important... and hardest for Americans... REDUCE. That's what Simple Living is about. As important as recycling is, it is not an excuse for waste. It's more important to REDUCE consumption and waste.
22 - Earth Day. The Earth belongs to God and therefore cannot be held perpetually. -Leviticus 25:23
23 - How can I learn to say joyfully, "Here. Take this. It is the best that I have." When have I most joyfully given to someone in need? What allowed me to give so joyfully? (from Trek)
24 - E the Environmental Magazine is a bimonthly, independent publication that works to inspire people to educate themselves on issues in order to take action to effect change personally and/or politically. Visit EMagazine.com
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
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Consumables
25 - Think of the implications for the Creation of John 3:16-21 - "For God so loved the world..." People, animals, plants, all Creation.
26 - Use cloth napkins. Throw a paper napkin away only after it's completely used.
27 - Share at least one newspaper or magazine subscription with a friend or neighbor or read it at the office or the library. Renew subscriptions based on need, not out of habit. It takes 17 trees to make one ton of paper from non-recycled sources. It takes about 280 gallons of water to produce one large Sunday paper (after the trees are grown).
28 - Recycle paper, metal, glass, etc. Set up properly marked bins at home, church, work, school. Volunteer to help get the materials to the recycling center. If your community does not have curb-side pick up of recyclables, petition City Council to start it, even if it means an additional fee or tax.
Arbor Day (last Friday).
29 - Take your own mugs, plates and silver if you go to a fast food restaurant. Use them instead of disposable cups and plates. Keep these items handy in your car or on your bike. Make a list of other disposables to avoid.
30 - Avoid toys and products that use batteries. When batteries are unavoidable, use only rechargeable batteries.
For more information
May 1-7-- Screen-Free Week (formerly TV Turnoff Week and Digital DeTox Week, the last week in April) from the Center for Screen-Time Awareness. Escape the Fantasy - Get Real! No more radiation, laugh tracks or gratuitous violence. And once you try real life, you may never want to go back to the simulated variety again. Visit ScreenFree.org
March
Global Justice
Peace and Justice QUOTESLanguage
1-Our language shapes the way we think. Inclusive language opens us to more inclusive lives. Inclusive language may seem a little awkward because it feels new or different, not because it's wrong.
2-Using inclusive language does not assume that everyone is alike or even equal in abilities. It recognizes that each person has different gifts but that we treat all with respect, not with prejudice. All are of equal value in God's sight.
3-When we hear the term "politically correct" or "PC," someone may be denigrating inclusive language.
4-"Sexism," "racism," "ageism" are expressions of prejudice, that we "pre-judge" people by their age, race or gender. We make up our mind about someone before getting to know them. All of these are very real. They combine prejudice and power. We can't escape prejudice but we can catch ourselves, say "Ooops," and instead be open to the person.
5-Our attitudes about global justice are reinforced by language. We may think of people in developing countries as less than we because of their race or income. We may take a condescending or superior attitude, wanting to help "those poor souls." Instead, let's offer our help, not impose it, like we would want others to offer us help when we're in need. We're all family... the human family.
6-Beware of media and organizations that spread unconscious and excessive American nationalism, that suggest that Americans are superior than others because of our great wealth and power, that play on our fear of the unknown.
7-Do we impose titles on people, such as "Mr. and Mrs.," that they have not requested? Do we call people by their first names or diminutives when such may show a lack of respect?
8-International Women's Day (Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 141-144; To Celebrate, p. 107)
For more information
Orthodox Lent usually begins in March.
Hunger and Homelessness
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
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9-Front line organizations, such as World Vision, Oxfam, Care, Heifer Project, Self Help, provide direct aid and self-help programs to needy people. Advocacy groups, like Bread for the World, lobby governments to do more for the needy. The U.S. government has access to more resources than do private organizations that depend on contributions. Participate in Bread's OFFERING of LETTERS at your local chapter or congregation or in your home.
10-Investigate global justice magazines, such as New Internationalist: the People, the Ideas, the Action in the Fight for World Development
11-Your congregation probably has a Social Ministry Committee. Find out what the members do. Typical projects are direct help, such as serving at the local Soup Kitchen, or education, such as a Social Concerns Fair. Resolve to participate in one project this year.
12-Your denomination probably has a national or regional hunger office. Contact it, find out what it does and consider giving it a contribution this year. Church World Service (800/456-1310 or ChurchWorldService.org) sponsors the national interfaith CROP Walks each year. Either walk or sponsor a walker this fall. Help start a walk if your community doesn't have one yet.
13-Worth Reading
14- Check to see if your city and state have a Human Rights Commission. Make one phone call to find out what they do to confront prejudice. Check the government section in the front of your phone book.
15-Simplicity is not romanticizing poverty, monks, the Amish or people who struggled through the Great Depression. We only diminish those people's devotion or struggle, and we tend to try to make the journey of discipleship look silly or "for others," unrelated to us, untouchable. Poverty is NOT fun. Two thirds of the world population live in poverty involuntarily. We have a choice.
16-"Just as you did it to one of the least of these... you did it to me."-from Matthew 25:31-40. What sense of connection with people in need can unlock my compassion and generosity? Was there ever a time when I really didn't have enough money? How did or does that make me feel about people who are wealthier than me? (from Trek)
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
Peace/Non-Violence
17-St. Patrick's Day (To Celebrate, p. 108). Ponder "If you want peace, work for justice." August 6 is Peace Day or Hiroshima Day.
18-The pursuit of Peace: 12 steps of peacemaking can make your faith more than just talk. 1. Pray for peace and for one another. 2. See faces. 3. Learn names and stories. 4. Take the first step to love. 5. Reach out and touch. 6. Find common ground. 7. Make relationships concrete. 8. Give peace offerings. 9. Learn languages. 10. Eat together. 11. Celebrate together. 12. Stand with those in danger. -Ann Helmke
19-Does your denomination have a Peace and Justice office? Investigate Fellowship of Reconciliation, an association of religious Peace Fellowships. Call 914/358-4601, ask for a copy of Fellowship Magazine.
20-First Day of Spring (Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 145-148; To Celebrate, pp. 108-110). What can you do to reduce street crime? Would you join a brigade to remove gang-related graffiti?
21-Contact Center of Concern: Promoting Global Justice and Peace since 1971 (CoC.org) or Pax Christi (PaxChristiUSA.org) which works for peace for all humankind.
22-Alternatives offers many resources designed for children or people who work with children (like parents!). We hope to affect children's buying habits early because they are targeted by so many advertisers. A well-intentioned grandmother said, "I like to spoil my grandchildren when they're little. But when they turn ten, I CUT 'EM OFF." We're hoping to be a little more helpful.
23-Read Alternatives' "War Toys and Christmas: A Contradiction in Terms" and "Organize for Peace: How to Start a Peacemaking Group in Your Church."
For more information24-Central America Week.
25-Over the years people of faith have used boycotts to reduce poor social practices among businesses, such as Nestle Company's practices in the Developing World. The organizer of that boycott is still at work for other causes - Corporate Accountability International (formerly InFact.org: Challenging Corporate Abuse, Building Grassroots Power, Since 1977). Most denominations have an advocacy office. Contact yours and find out what they do. Alternatives' "Reaching Out Through the Media" helps promote events and causes.
26-Small, every day protests can be effective. Businesses listen to buyers. Most want to avoid controversy. Most want to do business quietly as usual, even if some results are harmful or wasteful... as long as they're profitable. The strongest way to challenge such businesses occurs when we might diminish their "bottom line." Change to a different maker of a similar product that is less wasteful. Then write a letter explaining your concern or join an organized boycott to make sure that the egregious company gets the point.
27-Assertive folks buy one share of an offending company's stock, file shareholder resolutions, attend the annual meeting and verbally protest the company's policies.
28-NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE -- To find out what boycotts are currently in effect, get Green America's Boycott Action News, (800/58-GREEN or GreenAmerica.org). It gives names, addresses and phone numbers of the organizers and the targets, and the reasons for the boycott.
29-An organization like WorkingAssets.com/CREDO (800/548-2567) provides long distance, credit card and investment services and is an advocate for change. Their profits go to a wide variety of grassroots organizations, voted on by the customers annually.
30-Find out who your local, state and national government representatives are. Your local library, League of Women Voters or an internet search can provide a list of names, addresses, phone and e-mail. Write at least one letter expressing your support for laws (and lawmakers!) that protect the environment, not degrade it. And send one not supporting climate change deniers. You can also call your senators' and representative's office in your part of the state. Check directory assistance or search the internet.
31-Government officials are influenced by hand written letters instead of signed form letters or "petitions." Most organizations will supply a sample letter on an issue that you want to address. You can then word it in your own style. Address your letter to: Senator ___, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510; Representative ___, House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. Or call the Capitol switchboard (202/244-3121) to talk with your members of Congress or to get their FAX numbers or e-mail addresses. Close a letter with "Please let me hear from you on this issue." Most will respond, at least with a form letter presenting their position.
FEBRUARY
Celebrating More Responsibly
Celebrating QUOTES
Music/Worship
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
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1-Musicians are not exempt from the call to offer help to the needy and to care for God's Creation. Urge your congregation to put on a benefit concert, including some music of social responsibility. Worthwhile musicals are Lazarus from Bread for the World, and The Race: A Simplicity Musical from the ELCA Hunger Program.
2-Write a letter to the music publishers your congregation uses the most. Urge them to use recycled paper and soy-based inks when they print their music.
3-A great, inexpensive hymnal on social responsibility is Banquet of Praise from Bread for the World. Give a copy to your Minister of Music and offer to buy more copies for your choir, youth group or congregation.
4-Alternatives' Worship Alternatives collection includes hymns, litanies, etc. on global justice. The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada (TheHymnSociety.org or 800/THE-HYMN) has several collections and papers on topics related to Voluntary Simplicity, including Sing Justice! Do Justice!
5-BWAAG (Better World Artists' & Activists' Guild) says, "Never underestimate the power within you to make a better world." This non-profit, national ecumenical network of individuals who are committed to enriching the peace and social justice ministers of congregations and related organizations has produced several recordings and songbooks.
6-Investigate Alternatives' booklets and recordings Sing Justice! Do Justice! and Stories and Songs of Simple Living.
7-In Celtic Christianity, the wild goose is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Wild Goose Songs from the Iona Community in Scotland are very direct and powerful.
8-After the Bible, the hymnal often is the second most important book to many Christians. If you do not have one, buy your denominational hymnal for your office and home for private and family daily devotions. Read one hymn per day as poetry. Sing the ones you know.
More on celebrating more responsibly in November and December.
For more information
Other February holidays include
Preparing for Lent, Easter and Other Spring Festivals
9-Celebrations belong to people. They are not natural resources to be strip-mined each year for the sake of profit. Treasury of Celebrations channels our desire to celebrate into activities that truly nourish the human spirit, express our solidarity with all the Earth's people, and respect the environment. If you are not satisfied with consumer-oriented celebrations, this big book of creative ideas will help you resist consumer pressures and celebrate in a more spiritually fulfilling, joyful way.
10-"Freedom from anxiety is characterized by three inner attitudes. If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then we possess freedom from anxiety. This is the inward reality of simplicity. However, if what we have we believe we have gotten and if what we have we believe we must hold onto, and if what we have is not available to others, then we live in anxiety. Such persons will never know simplicity regardless of the outward contortions they may put themselves through in order to live 'the simple life.'" --Richard Foster (a Christian theologian and author in the Quaker tradition, best known for his 1978 book 'Celebration of Discipline'; also 'Freedom of Simplicity,' 1981; 'Longing for God' with Gayle Beebe, 2008)
11-Alternatives' numerous Worship, Study & Activity Guides for Lent and Easter include "An Easter Seder" (meal) and "A Passover Seder." Some resources are intergenerational.
12-Lincoln's Birthday. What values do we really admire in heroes? Who do we pick to be our heroes?
13-"If I give away all my possessions... but do not have love, I gain nothing." - from I Corinthians 13. What keeps me from giving the gift of myself more often? What non-material gifts could I gave on the various gift-giving occasions during the year? (from Trek)
14-St. Valentine's Day
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
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15-Alternatives' numerous 40 Day Calendars for Lent (as bulletin inserts, a poster or booklet) can be used within lectionary cycles or not. Some also come in Spanish; one is for children.
For more information read Treasury of Celebrations, Part III, pp.127-227
On Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent) we are reminded of our mortality. What do we really want to accomplish in our lifetime? Daydream about people living in harmony in a clean environment. Make the fantasy as positive and fun as possible. Focus on the people and the Earth interacting, not on "stuff," things, possessions or money.
17-Treasury of Celebrations: Create Celebrations That Reflect Your Values and Don't Cost the Earth contains life affirming ways to celebrate holidays and rites of passage, such as births, graduations and deaths. It draws material from the six Alternate Celebrations Catalogs published from 1973-87 by Alternatives and adds new ideas in its 384 pages. To Celebrate: Reshaping Holidays and Rites of Passage is the only predecessor of Treasury still in print.
18-The average American wedding now costs over $27,000. We can find value and meaning without going into debt. Wedding Alternatives (The Alternative Wedding Book) helps create a beautiful wedding that reflects true family values and doesn't cost the Earth. It comes in English or in Spanish (Nuestra Boda).
19-The January-February, 1997, issue of Modern Bride Magazine contained 940 pages! The Alternative Wedding Book offers alternatives to engaged couples, clergy and others... alternatives to the bridal magazines and professional bridal consultants. It encourages couples to use their imaginations as they incorporate their values and family and ethnic traditions in planning meaningful wedding celebrations. It's a practical planning guide with personal stories from people who chose more than the status quo wedding.
20-The Alternative Wedding Book details ways to sort out what is important to you and make your wedding what you want it to be. It gives guidelines for ceremonies (with eight complete examples) and practical and cost-cutting tips on food, flowers, decorations, photography, clothing, music, location, setting, entertainment, invitations, even choosing rings. The Wedding Timeline/Checklist is a fast and easy way to make sure your plans run smoothly and that everything gets done. The Budget Worksheet will help you save money and time.
Monday, Feb. 20, 2017--Presidents' Day
21-What messages about material goods do I get from my church or faith community? Do my closest friends push me toward deeper values, or make it harder to live them out? (from Trek)
22-New Road Ministries (803/892-2556) offers bereavement seminars and video. The classic Dealing Creatively with Death and numerous children's books dealing with death and grieving are valuable resources. Also natural funerals.
For more information read
Other February holidays include on Third Monday-President's Day (Washington's Birthday observed) (To Celebrate, p. 95).
23-Meditate on the concept of "enough." "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need." - from Proverbs 30:7-9. "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little." -II Corinthians 8:15. Do I think a world where everyone has enough is part of God's vision for humankind?
24-"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?"-from Isaiah 55:1-5. Do I give the people who love me what they most want from me? Am I able to spend the time I need to build special relationships with the people I love?
25-What is a good balance of "deferred gratification" and "taking no thought for tomorrow?" Will the amount of things I own continue to grow throughout my life, or will I eventually say, "that's enough"? How much do I need to accumulate before I can do what I really want to do? What am I doing now to enjoy life?
26-Spend an evening with one of your parents, a grandparent or other friend who has retired. Invite them to talk about the choices they have made about how to spend their lives. What choices have brought them the most joy? What do they wish they had done more of?
27-Do I use the things I own to build walls or bridges between myself and others? What messages do I receive about the need or desirability of "having my own space"? Who gives me those messages? If a fire destroyed my place, who would I ask to give me emergency housing?
28-Meditate on "hospitality." What is the finest gift I can offer a visitor who comes into my life? When have I been received into someone's home or living space with great hospitality? What did they do to make me feel welcome? Who makes me feel most at ease in his or her presence? How does he or she make me feel at ease?
29-Leap Year Day. What to do with an extra day? How can I work for just enough without tying myself into knots of guilt and despair?
January
The Life Principles of Voluntary Simplicity
HELPS: Simple Living QUOTES || SLW! Podcast: The 5 Life Standards || Thematic Index: Living More with LessLife Principle #1: Do Justice
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice. More ART
2-Voluntary Simplicity is not about following rules, but about living by principles. Living more simply is about personal responsibility. It's seeing where our lives may be extravagant, even out-of-control, and deciding what to do a little at a time to cut down on overconsumption. Don't begin cold turkey. You might get frustrated and give up.
3-20% of the world's population - the Overconsumers - use 80% of the resources and the other 80% - the Sustainers - use only 20%. Our planet cannot sustain life if everyone lived like the Overconsumers. The motto of voluntary simplicity begins to make sense: Live simply that others may simply live. This calendar challenges us Overconsumers - virtually every person in North America, Western Europe and Japan - to offer up an Environmental Tithe, to reduce consumption of all resources by at least 10%. God put us on Earth to be stewards of Creation - sustainers, not abusers; protectors, not dominators.
4- Living more simply may mean dealing with our own resentment when others don't "get it." When we are making corrections to live more responsibly and others don't seem to have the slightest inclination to change their wasteful ways, we may feel angry. We can be living testimonials. We are not judgmental but we speak up whenever we have the chance.
5-Simplicity is not "living on the cheap." It's more than being frugal, far from being a tightwad, and surely not being a miser. In some cases it may mean actually paying more for tools that are Earth-friendly. Instead it's a journey to find more meaning, more joy, more fun in life by getting out from under the burden of so much stuff - to remove the barrier of stuff that keeps us apart from other people, from God and even from ourselves.
We avoid fads, convenience and deprivation. Instead, we believe in abundance -- there's enough for everyone's need, not anybody's greed.
6-Epiphany. Consider using Alternatives' An Epiphany Celebration, in your congregation. Or read it here.
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
7-The first principle is not "Think about Justice," or even "Believe in Justice." It's "Do Justice!" Besides our prayers, our contributions, and our pressure on governments, we help the world's poor by consuming less, thereby making more available for others. Biblical justice reflects God's great love for the poor and our parallel call to live in a way that positively responds to their needs.
8-In face of an economic system and an advertising industry that pressure us, we CAN take control of our own buying patterns! We can beat this addiction of overconsumption day by day... and then share ideas of simpler living with others.
For more information
Life Principle #2: Learn from the World Community
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
9-Reflect. "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8. We have a great deal to learn from people in Developing World countries, most of whom live simply by necessity, not choice. More about food in October.
10-All things are connected. We want to help those poor people with THEIR problem OVER THERE. However, we need to realize many of their problems are caused by OUR problem OVER HERE, our overconsumption.
11- A black bishop from Africa said, "White folks... yes, they're the people who can sing and NOT move at the same time." African music can help liberate other Christians.
12-For every Christian that North America and Western Europe loses, Africa gains three! We have something profound to learn from our African brothers and sisters.
13-Ask yourself, "What can I live without?" Be uncomfortable. Take something off - a watch, an earring - as a reminder of less. Are you a slave to the clock? Are you burdened by too many clothes or jewelry? Take something off.
14-Even people from our highly technological medical establishment are now seeing the potential of learning from native healers/shamans. We are learning natural cures from the rain forests.
15-What do children say when they want to do something they know is irresponsible? "But everybody's doing it!" Let's try that in our lives. "But God, everybody's driving a new car.... But God, everybody builds a big, expensive house that's many times bigger than they need, claiming it's for equity when the kids leave home.... But God, everybody has a yard that looks like a golf course so that nobody complains that we're lowering their property values...." Sounds just as silly and disconcerting as kids' requests to sleep outdoors on a sidewalk overnight to be in line for tickets to a rock concert.
16-Voluntary Simplicity is a consciousness, an awareness. It is a matter of personal responsibility. Before we buy or use something ask, "Do I really need to do this?"
Monday, Jan. 16, 2017--Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday).
For more information:
Life Principle #3: Nurture People
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
17-We find meaning in life through our relationships with God, the natural environment and people, not through stuff. Often we allow our things to own us. We go into debt paying for something. We have to maintain it, then secure it so nobody steals it! What owns whom?
18-Create a game with yourself that you can play with your children or grandchildren. It's OK to admire things in stores and say, "I like that. I like THAT. I LIKE that." Make it not OK to say, "I want that," or even worse, "I need that."
19-Think of the mall as a museum. Everything there is on display for your pleasure, but somebody else owns it. As you stroll through the galleries say, "Thank you store person for putting this here for me to see. I'm so glad you're responsible for all this stuff and I'M NOT."
20-Intimacy... getting to know someone well... opening oneself up. When we choose to be intimate with our spouse, things can get in the way. To be intimate we may choose to take something off... to take everything off. Stuff can get in the way of intimacy in other situations as well. We can learn to recycle stuff and put relationships first.
21-Cooperative, non-competitive games nurture relationships. Try The Christmas Game I, The Christmas Game II, The Anytime Game, Lifestories: a fun board game of telling tales; Futurestories; and Conversation Pieces: Parents, Kids and Other Animals. See September 19 for more titles.
22-A weekly family meeting at a set time helps to coordinate schedules and gives children respect, inclusiveness and empowerment. It can also diffuse arguments. At a time of tension, one can say, "Let's take this up at the family meeting." Take turns taking minutes. Follow with family fun-time.
23-Reading aloud year-round, as well as telling one's own stories, builds relationships. When a parent reads to a child, a grandparent to a grandchild, spouses to each other, the act is as important as the story.
24-"Quality time" can be a myth, an excuse to spend a little time together in order to spend more time working to make more money to accumulate more stuff. Quantity time is also needed for healthy relationships, being there... in sports and fun, worship, talking, the arts. If you find this is a problem, discipline yourself to keep track of relationship time and increase it 10% each month till you reach your goal.
For more information. . .
Other January holidays include
Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday).
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
Life Principle #4: Non-conform Freely
25-The forces against living simply are extremely powerful and devious. Some of them are quiet, unwritten... like how we dress in church, how our house will look at Christmas time. But many of them can be loud, in-your-face forces that work to get as deeply into our pocketbook as possible. (See September for media pressures.)
26-Let's say what overconsumption often represents - addiction. As any addiction, it is powerful. It takes great will power, faith, and the right tools to beat an addiction. The addiction of overconsumption is reinforced by our culture. It is encouraged, fed, promoted by peer pressure and by advertising. We are told it is patriotic to buy, that our economy depends on it, that we are "worth it." We are worth much more than our stuff!
27-Worth Reading: the classic Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
28-Small groups could benefit from: Living More with Less Study Guide, Your Money or Your Life Study Guide, Simple Living / Compassionate Life. Alternatives' video Break Forth into Joy!: Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle won a Gold Medal at the Houston International Film Festival!
29-"Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"-from Matthew 6:24-33. How do my clothes reflect my personality and my values? Did the people who made my clothes get a fair wage for their work? Go to your clothes closet. Choose enough clothes to wear a different outfit each day for a week. Put the other clothes aside. Wear only the clothes you've chosen for the next two weeks. (from Trek)
Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART
30-Shop at Goodwill and other thrift shops. Wear clothes from other cultures. Support others who break clothing stereotypes. Show the great fraud of "The clothes make the man" and "Dress for success." Is wearing "nice" clothes to church a matter of giving God our best? Wearing expensive clothes is giving our best to ourselves and our clique-mates.
31-We can object when people suggest dress codes for voluntary events, such as company parties or church activities. Must men always feel obliged to wear a tie?
For more information
Life Principle #5: Cherish the Natural Order, appears in April and May.
Page updated 29 Dec. 2017
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