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.
2022-- Winter // Spring // Summer // Fall
2023-- Winter // Spring // Summer // Fall
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
Vogt LIVING LIGHTLY Quarterly Blog Alert (Sept., Oct., Nov., 2023)
1. Am I Doing Enough
2. Love the Hub
3. Good Waits, Fasts, Problems
MARRIAGE MOMENTS*
1101. July 1: July 4 is “Independence Day” in the USA. Being an independent country and person have value. BUT…in marriage we are also called to dependence. I depend on you to keep your word, to comfort me when I’m sad, to help out. How do you depend on one another?
1102. July 8: If you’re too busy to pray, you may be too busy. You don’t necessarily have to pray together, although that is nice. If praying together is not your style, at least make a commitment to pray FOR your beloved in private…but also check what is keeping you so busy.
1103. July 15: On a scale of 1 to 10 are you a “CLEAN” or a “DIRTY”? Likewise, are you a “NEAT” or a “SLOPPY”? Often clean and neat are equated with moral superiority, Unless your differences cause tension between you (or your home would not pass a blind health inspector) compromise. From https://www.foryourmarriage.org/
1104. July 22: There is no perfect world; no perfect marriage. Each of us have our faults and make mistakes. A “good enough” marriage takes two people who are willing to forgive each other and keep trying to love better.
1105. July 29: In these hot days of summer, how do you refresh each other? Sometimes it might be giving your honey a cool drink or time to nap. Sometimes it might be refraining from complaining. Or maybe it’s just being quiet together.
1097. June 3: "In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find grounds for marriage." (Robert Anderson, Solitaire/Double Solitaire) Today, discuss a significant value or belief that holds you and your spouse together.
1098. June 10: Kid’s notes to God: "Dear God, instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t you just keep the ones you got now." (Jane) Have you and your spouse talked about death? Go beyond finances and a funeral. Talk about how you will feel if your spouse dies first.
1099. June 17: Do you sometimes feel like a hamster racing around a wheel? Are you very busy but never caught up? STOP for one minute. Be silent. Turn off the TV, radio, computer, etc., and turn toward your spouse. Silently thank God for your life companion.
1100. June 24: For some people, prayer comes easily. For others it's a challenge. For many couples praying together is even harder. If couple prayer is new to you, experiment today. Maybe start with a written prayer and eventually transition to heartfelt spontaneous prayer.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
1102. July 5: Your child may or may not look like you. BUT remember, your children are not a reflection of you. They are souls given to you through your love and by God with their own unique purpose. Our job, as parent and guide, is to help them identify this purpose.
1103. July 12: All of us procrastinate at times. Perhaps we are busy or want to avoid doing something. The Christian Family Movement has a saying to help us decide if procrastination is warranted or an escape.
IF NOT NOW, WHEN? IF NOT ME, WHO? IF NOT HERE, WHERE?
Is there something that you've been putting off until the kids are older, the house paid for, your teeth are flossed? Relationships don’t always wait for some day/one day.
1104. July 19: You don't have to write a book to be an author. Ask each person in your family to write one word to guide their life for the next day. It might be – wisdom, kindness, friendship… Too young to write? Have them draw a picture or simply say their word.
1105. July 26: August 1 is Earth Overshoot Day. If your children are old enough to understand this concept, ask each person in your family to take one environmental action this week to reduce their environmental footprint. At least model an action yourself.
1098. June 7: As summer starts do you have any vacation plans? It doesn’t have to involve a trip. Try a family meeting to discuss one new, fun experience each of you hopes to do this summer. Make a plan.
1099. June 14: June 16 is Father’s Day and June 19 is Juneteenth which celebrates the end of slavery in the USA. Do these days have anything in common? Perhaps free a father of heavy work on June 16 by becoming his “slave for a day.” Then reflect on how freely serving one another regardless of gender or race can strengthen society.
1100. June 21: Where in your home are the TV, computer, cell phones…hopefully not where you eat meals. Consider the placement and time of day that you allow your children to use technology. Make room for enough direct parent/child interaction.
1101. June 28: Don't argue with anyone today ‑ even if you're right. Whether it’s your spouse, child, or a stranger, training yourself to pause and consider another’s point of view can deepen your maturity and relationships.
Parenting Pointers go out to individuals on Fridays. For Sunday bulletins, use the closest Friday.
ECO-TIPS
TO EDUCATORS, LEADERS, & MINISTERS:
I offer you these Eco-Tips as a resource for those you serve.
My own faith tradition is Catholic and thus Pope Francis' teaching in Laudato Si' inspired these ways of Living Laudato Si'. Of course caring for creation transcends religions and is indeed a universal undertaking. It cannot be done alone.
You are welcome to reprint these in bulletins, newsletters, and on your website with the credit, "By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net"
For related articles go to my Living Lightly Blog: www.SusanVogt.net/blog
Since those we reach may be in many different places regarding environmental efforts, I offer 2 options each week:
126. July 1: PLASTIC FREE JULY #1
EASY: Skim the 8 point overview about Plastic Free July (https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/) and sign up for at least 1 day of the Challenge.
CHALLENGING: Sign up for the whole month of the Plastic Free July Challenge.
127. July 8: PLASTIC FREE JULY #2
EASY: Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz (https://survey.thinkfieldpanel.com.au/wcfs/29402) (about 5 min.)
CHALLENGING: Choose at least 1 of the 8 areas to focus on (Getting Started, Next Steps, Work, School, Events, For Business, My Community, Local Government) and follow up on the proposed actions.
128. July 15: PLASTIC FREE JULY #3
EASY: Tell a friend, neighbor, or co-worker about Plastic Free July and what you are doing.
CHALLENGING: Explore the whole Plastic Free July website and decide where to continue investing your energy.
129. July 22: CLOTHING
EASY: Mend any damaged clothing or buy secondhand clothing.
CHALLENGING: Avoid Petroleum based (PFAS) clothing which are often treated with flame retardant chemicals. Check out 10 PFAS-Free Apparel Brands at https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/pfas-free-clothing/
130. July 29: EARTH OVERSHOOT DAY
EASY: Aug. 1 is Earth Overshoot Day Review the website to find out what it’s all about AND/OR finish up Plastic Free July by checking out 64 Ways to Reduce Plastic - the first article.
CHALLENGING: Decide one significant action you can take to reduce your impact on global warming during the week of Earth Overshoot Day (https://www.footprintnetwork.org/). Share it with a friend.
122. June 3: FOOD
EASY: Veggies are good. Especially think root crops like carrots. Carrots provide the absolute most nutrients for the least emissions. The Climate Diet by Paul Greenberg
CHALLENGING: It takes some time, but try planting your own carrots or other healthy crop.
123. June 10: ENERGY USE
EASY: When possible, use stairs instead of elevators. It doubles as exercise.😊
CHALLENGING: During hot weather minimize air conditioner use by using a small fan or maybe install a whole house fan.
124. June 17: SHOPPING
EASY: When shopping, consider an email or digital receipt instead of a printed copy. Digital receipts are easier to save and organize, plus they reduce paper waste.
CHALLENGING: When making major purchases, consider the environmental impact, particularly production and transportation, and seek ways to minimize these.
125. June 24: NATURE
EASY: Take a walk in the woods for fun and exercise.
CHALLENGING: Keep natural wooded areas clean by taking a non-plastic container to pick up trash.
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.
The 0122 Episode of Simpler OneEarth Living is the last for the present. All 250+ episodes are presented--one at a time--as part of Simple Living Daily Nudges Enhanced. To subscribe, send NUDGE to SimpleLivingWorks@yahoo.com. Free! No ads! Different Theme each month! Different Focus each week!
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Peace, Gerald 'Jerry' Iversen, Chief SLW! Activist
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