This complete digest, formerly posted monthly, is now updated at least weekly. It contains posts from both SLW! and other simple living sources.The SLW! Monthly Nudge/Blog/eNews (focus on SLW!) comes as a free subscription to SLW! Blog (When you arrive, click +Follow in lower right, add your email address, then confirm when email arrives.) The free Daily Nudges is available by email -- send SUBSCRIBE to SimpleLivingWorks@yahoo.com -- or by Twitter @GeraldIversen.
In This Issue:
What's been happening on my Living Lightly blog lately.
How Much Is Enough? Part 2 - What household stuff do you and I hang on to 'just in case'?
Uber Recycling #5 - Reviewing some recycling basics and adding a few you may not have tried yet
Lightening Your Heart #2 - Check out the 6 ways I avoid being a 'Debbie Downer.' Do any of these work for you? What's our PLANET got to do with it?
Wondering What Is True - One person's fake news is another person's truth. How to tell the difference.
What Is Mine To Do? - As Lent began, I had a 4 point plan. Do any of my resolutions match yours?
Going Into Hiding - Looking behind, underneath, and inside to find what's hiding
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
936. May 3: 'Screens' (TV, computers, cell phones…) can give us a lot of helpful information. BUT, they can also crowd out relationship time. May 3-9 is Screen Free Week (https://commercialfreechildhood.org/sfw-21-save-the-date/) Although this is often directed to children, it starts with you and your beloved. Can you spend a day without using a screen this week? What will you substitute?
937. May 10: 'Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God.' (1 John 4:7) Sounds simple, but anyone married even a short time knows that love can be a challenge when two wills conflict. Just for today, pretend you are God trying to love your spouse selflessly.
938. May 17: Distance can put stress on a marriage. Having a spouse who travels a lot or who is deployed to military service poses a challenge. Do you have any practices that help the two of you when you are apart for awhile?
939. May 24: On Pentecost scripture asks, 'How does each of us hear them in our own native language?' (Acts 2:8) In marriage we sometimes have to stretch to really understand what our beloved means by their words. Is your 'native' language emotional words, acts of kindness, physical touch…? Listen, watch, and feel carefully as you communicate today.
940. May 31: (Memorial Day) May 31 is Memorial Day in the USA. What does it mean to remember – to remember people who have died, to remember special events in our life together, etc. Perhaps pull out some old photos to remember the story of your life together so far.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
936. May 7: May 3-9 is Screen Free Week (https://commercialfreechildhood.org/sfw-21-save-the-date/). If your child is old enough for school, they've probably spent a lot of class time on computer screens during Covid. Weather permitting offer them a Nature Break this weekend - or at least some indoor art, craft, or board game alternatives.
937. May 14: On the feast of the Ascension scripture says, 'So then the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven.' (Mark 16:19) Fantasize with your child what it might be like to fly - not in an airplane, but just rising up in the air. Perhaps fly a kite this week in memory of the Ascension.
938. May 21: Teach your child to pray. Sure, you may already say grace before meals and a bedtime prayer, but help them practice humble prayers from their heart. You may learn a lot by listening to their genuine prayer.
939. May 28: Does your family have too many toys or too few? Most middle class+ families have too many? If so, invite everyone to choose one toy to give to someone who has less. This includes parents too --although your 'toy' may be more expensive.
*Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
941. June 7: What can a tree teach you about marriage? "It shall put forth branches and bear fruit." (Ezekiel 17:23) Some trees grow naturally. Some need pruning to become their best selves. Can you spend some time together today enjoying and learning from a tree?
942. June 14: Most couples think that their sexual relationship is the most intimate part of their marriage. Praying together, however, may be an even deeper form of intimacy. A first step may be praying for each other even if not in one another's presence.
943. June 21: (Father's Day) Wives, your husband is not your father, but your father probably set a tone for how you regard men. If it was a healthy model, thank your father. If it wasn't, don't live in the past, change it.
944. June 28: What does it mean to have equality in marriage? It's more than just being fair, divvying up tasks, and respecting each other. Scripture reminds us that our "abundance should supply other's needs and that their abundance may also supply your needs." (2 Cor. 8:14) Does one of you need more than the other today? If not, as a couple, supply a neighbor's need today.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
940. June 4: "While they were eating...Jesus said the blessing." (Mark 14:22) What happens when your family eats together? Presumably, you start with a blessing of the food, but what happens during the meal? You may recount the day, there may be laughter, or complaining. Hopefully, there are no phones present. Let it be a time to be present to each other.
941. June 11: Are your children old enough to help around the house? Anyone over two years old can do something like putting a toy away. If you already have a system that works -- good. Relax. But maybe it's time to revise responsibilities and help your kids grow up.
942. June 18: "Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart." (Colossians 3:21) It's not easy being a father, trying to straddle that delicate balance between firmness and compassion. How did your own father do it? Well or imperfectly? I know you're trying. Keep it up.
943. June 25: Caring for planet earth is not just about being altruistic -- it's about whether our children will have a livable planet. You probably already recycle. Consider going beyond recycling to reducing the stuff that comes into your home that needs recycling -- especially plastics. See Recycling and Beyond for more ideas.
*Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
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Peace, Gerald 'Jerry' Iversen, Chief SLW! Activist
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