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*
BONUS: With Christmas approaching most people in developed, relatively peaceful countries turn their minds toward gift giving. Help your families learn how to wait and prepare their hearts (not just their gift lists) by visiting my ADVENT/CHRISTMAS REMINDERS blog entry.
1019. Dec. 5: "One advantage of marriage…is that when you fall out of love with each other, it keeps you together until maybe you fall in love again." (Judith Viorst) What stirs you back to your love when it becomes routine? Try it soon.
1020. Dec. 12: "Be patient, brothers and sisters…Do not complain about one another." (James 5:7-9) In marriage we know all too well each other’s faults. When tempted to complain, perhaps match your complaint, whether spoken or thought, with some genuine praise.
1021. Dec. 19: Wednesday, Dec. 21, is the Winter Solstice - the longest night of the year. Dark nights can be cozy when warmed by love and candlelight. If this week finds you blessed with pleasant experiences of darkness, pray for those who aren't.
1022. Dec. 26: The wait is over. Presumably the family has gathered, gifts shared, food eaten together. What remains? To carry the Spirit of Christmas beyond one day, ponder what new might be born into your marriage. If your nerves have been frazzled during the run up to Christmas, relax, slow down, forgive any hurts that may linger.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
1015. Nov. 7: "That the dead will rise... for to God all are alive." (Luke 20: 38) Thinking of your own or your beloved's death can be scary and depressing -- but nobody gets out of this life alive! Take a sacred moment to share with each other your fears and hopes for your own deaths.
1016. Nov. 14: What's the number one enemy of love? According to relationship coach, Gary Smalley, it's unresolved anger. Since you can't guarantee you'll never feel angry, it's best to work on the other end -- resolving it constructively and lovingly. What works for you?
1017. Nov. 21: During this week of Thanksgiving, take a moment to share with each other one thing that makes you thankful for your beloved and your marriage.
1018. Nov. 28: "Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." (Mt. 24:42) This scripture alludes to end times. We don't know for sure when we or our beloved will die but try not to end any day with anger against your spouse. Forgive before you sleep.
PARENTING POINTERS*
1018. Dec. 2: "Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6) Generally a wolf and lamb are enemies…yet this reading invites us to see them resting together. Most of us have some folks we don't get along with. Is there a way to see some good even in a person you don’t like. Talk about it.
1019. Dec. 9: As we approach the longest night of the year (Dec. 21) ponder the growing darkness. Being in the dark can be scary, but a little candlelight can make it enchanting (and also save electricity). Turn off unneeded lights in your home for an evening. Talk, tell stories. No TV.
1020. Dec. 16: "Do not be afraid, Joseph…" (Matthew 1:20) Substitute your own name for Joseph. Bearing and raising a child can be scary. So many things can go wrong. Turn to God and each other when you are nervous or afraid of how to parent your child.
1021. Dec. 23: Christmas is almost here. We’ve all been waiting. What is the hardest part of waiting for your family?
1022. Dec. 30: Feast of the Holy Family. St. Paul encourages us to "put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… forgiving one another…peace, gratitude." (Colossians 3:17) Discuss which of these virtues best fits each person in your family.
*Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
ECO-TIPS
45. Dec. 5: ENERGY
EASY: With colder weather impacting most of the northern hemisphere, resist the urge to turn the thermostat higher than 72. Wear layers. Put on a sweater (or two 😊).
CHALLENGING: Assess the need to increase wall/roof insulation or buy new energy efficient windows with a low "U rating." Act on your research.
46. Dec. 12: GIFT GIVING - Christmas
EASY: Give quality/interesting gifts that you already have but no longer need. Donate to a cause in someone's name.
CHALLENGING: If you have a talent, hand-make a gift or offer a service instead of buying something. Instead of buying plastic or inflatable lawn decorations, create a scene with sleds, snow people, etc.
47. Dec. 19: REDUCE PLASTICS
EASY: Avoid things with glitter. Glitters are made from micro-plastics and are ingested and detrimental to fish, birds and other wildlife.
CHALLENGING: Buy in bulk rather than individually wrapped items. Check out local “Zero Waste” stores and fill your own reusable containers.
48. Dec. 26: CLUTTER
EASY: Hopefully you’ve received a nice Christmas present or two. Identify one current possession that you no longer need and donate it to someone who does need it.
CHALLENGING: Choose one room or closet to do a deep dive decluttering day. If relatives or friends don’t want your extra stuff, research the best places to recycle or dispose of them. Act within the month.
TO EDUCATORS, LEADERS, & MINISTERS:
I offer you these Eco-Tips as a resource for those you serve.
My own faith tradition is Catholic and thus Pope Francis' teaching in Laudato Si' inspired these ways of Living Laudato Si'. Of course caring for creation transcends religions and is indeed a universal undertaking. It cannot be done alone.
You are welcome to reprint these in bulletins, newsletters, and on your website with the credit, "By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net"
For related articles go to my Living Lightly Blog: www.SusanVogt.net/blog
Since those we reach may be in many different places regarding environmental efforts, I offer 2 options each week:
EASY: Some of us are just starting to awaken to the need to care for creation, or have been busy with jobs, raising a family, or other social justice commitments. We may not have much discretionary time. OR, it may simply be a relief to note, "Hey, I’m already doing this one!" Good.
CHALLENGING: Others have been engaged in the environmental movement for awhile and are ready to take a bigger step. To multiply our efforts, we are called to go beyond our own personal lifestyle, and to make bigger, systemic changes. Consider how to impact change in our neighborhoods, cities, country, the world.
41. Nov. 7: REDUCE PLASTICS
EASY: Keep vegetable bags for reuse at grocery.
CHALLENGING: Buy loose products (without plastic wrapping) as much as possible. Reduce frozen food that comes in plastic packaging. Buy fresh when possible.
42. Nov. 14: CLOTHING
EASY: Swap clothing with friends and neighbors!
CHALLENGING: Reduce microfibers from entering waterways and the atmosphere by washing your clothes less often. Spot clean as needed and air dry clothing. Mend and patch to extend the life of clothing.
43. Nov. 21: Thanksgiving GIFT GIVING
EASY: As a gift to the environment... spend one evening this week in candlelight with all of the electric lights off.
CHALLENGING: As a gift to your community, do a family service project together.
44. Nov. 28: SPIRITUALITY
EASY: Pray for nature and for leaders to support environmentally sustainable policies/laws.
CHALLENGING: Talk to your pastor, rabbi, faith leader, etc. about mentioning during a religious service how the climate crisis is a spiritual crisis reflecting we humans putting the planet in danger and jeopardizing future generations.
36. Oct. 3: REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE
EASY: At home, avoid using paper, plastic, and Styrofoam plates, cups, and utensils.
CHALLENGING: Propose reducing/eliminating paper, plastic, and Styrofoam plates, cups, and utensils at your workplace, where you shop, school, factory
37. Oct. 10: TRANSPORTATION
EASY: Keep reusable water bottle/coffee mug, shopping bags in car
CHALLENGING: Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle such as a hybrid or electric car.
38. Oct. 17: WATER
EASY: Take a short shower rather than a bath, and shower less often
CHALLENGING: Install a solar water heating unit.
39. Oct. 24: CLOTHING
EASY: What clothes are 'best' to wear and purchase? The ones you already have
CHALLENGING: Buy less, skip the trendy fast fashion! Think about purchasing high quality and lasting items.
40. Oct. 31: RECYCLING GLASS
EASY: Generally, clean glass bottles and jars can be recycled in most curbside recycling programs. Do it. (The metal lid can also be recycled but remove it from the jar.)
CHALLENGING: Drinking glasses, light bulbs, mirrors, window glass are generally not accepted in curbside programs. Recycle light bulbs through hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowes. Donate mirrors to a thrift store. Become a recycling expert for your community by googling ways to recycle specialized glass products.
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Peace, Gerald 'Jerry' Iversen, Chief SLW! Activist
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*Treasury of Celebrations: published by Northstone, a division of Wood Lake Publications, BC, Canada, best known for its Seasons of the Spirit curriculum.
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