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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*
1115. Oct. 7: With presidential elections looming in the USA, politics can sometimes be a divisive issue for married couples. Talk about what political issues you hold in common and which you may differ on. Discussing your differences respectfully is a lesson patriots of any country need to learn.
1116. Oct. 14: Columbus Day need not only be about Christopher Columbus. Perhaps use this day to rediscover your love. Take a trip down memory lane and ponder the first time you saw the person who is now your life partner. Share your first impressions and what initially attracted you to each other. Reminisce together.
1117. Oct. 21: In the northern hemisphere, Autumn is a season of leaves falling and nature taking a rest. Sometimes loving relationships need a rest from busyness too. What helps you refresh your love? – A walk in the woods together? A long nap? …?
1118. Oct. 28: As Halloween approaches is there anything that scares you about your beloved? Getting sick? Getting old? Getting bored with each other? Talk about any fears and face them together.
1110. Sept. 2: (Labor Day) Although Sept. 2 is a USA national holiday when many people are off work, consider what "labor of love" you can do for your beloved today. Perhaps pick a job your honey typically does and do it for him/her today.
1111. Sept. 9: All those 'and they lived happily ever after' fairy tale endings need to be changed to 'and they began the very hard work of making their marriage happy.' (Linda Miles, The New Marriage) Are there any fairy tale dreams I'm still holding that block my ability to love my spouse for better or for worse?
1112. Sept. 16: Sept. 16 is Independence Day in Mexico. Although US citizens celebrate July 4 as Independence Day, independence and dependence are concepts bigger than one’s country of origin. Healthy marriages involve both freedom and helping with your beloved’s needs. Which is easier for you?
1113. Sept. 23: Listening is not the same as being quiet. After the quiet, an effort to show your beloved you understand should follow. It may not require words, but it takes paying attention.
1114. Sept. 30: How do you tell your spouse something that may be difficult for them to hear? Honest but gentle face-to-face communication is an art that some of us are not that good at. Sometimes a sincere letter can work well.
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS*
1115. Oct. 4: Respect Life Month. It’s easy to pray for our own children. Their needs are so apparent to us. Pray today, not only for your own children, but for all children in our world, both born and unborn.
1116. Oct. 11: (Yom Kippur begins) Most world religions have annual times of self-introspection: Jews (Yom Kippur), Christians (Lent), Muslims (Ramadan). Regardless of faith, it’s healthy to reflect on how to be a better person. Teach your child to examine their conscience.
1117. Oct. 18: It’s Fall. Leaves are falling and piling up. Sure, you might challenge the family to rake them up, but remember to have fun first – jump together in the leaves or hide in a pile of dead leaves.
1118. Oct. 25: Oct. 24 was United Nations Day. The U.N. recognizes 193 nations. It commemorates humankind’s efforts to live peaceably together. Not easy for a family or our planet. Do you know what the newest country is? Try Googling it.
1111. Sept. 6: If your kids are of school age, September can be a hectic time. Some folk are naturally organized. Others need the help of a daily/weekly calendar, a check list, a bedtime review, etc. Ask your child what might help them even if it's you getting out of the way.
1112. Sept. 13: Is your family broken? (divorce, infidelity, the painful loss of a child or spouse...) all of these things, and others, can shatter a family. Be patient with yourself. If your own family is OK for now, does a family you know need support?
1113. Sept. 20: Are you tired of repeating yourself over and over to your kids? Step 1 - Get at eye-level with your child, then start to speak. Step 2 -- Ask for an "Echo” Let your child repeat what you've said. (Family Minute)
1114. Sept. 27: If your child is old enough to read, writing them a special letter can sometimes be more powerful than speech. Include 2 things -- that you love them for who they are; then praise them for a couple of their unique abilities.
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:
140. October 7 - CLEANING
EASY: Avoid cleaning products packaged in plastic. Since doing this 100% is practically impossible, to start, review your current cleaning products and list which ones come in plastic containers.
CHALLENGING: Avoid spray or disposable products for cleaning. Find substitute cleaning products (not packaged in plastic) for 1 or 2 cleaning products. Check Cleancult and Blueland for ideas.
141. October 14 - CLOTHING
EASY: Got stuff you’re not wearing anymore? Donate them to a local charity, church, or resale store. BUT…
CHALLENGING: BUT... Don’t donate torn, soiled clothing that cannot be worn and will therefore burden others. Click here (https://imperfectidealist.com/where-to-donate-clothes-besides-goodwill/) for alternative donation possibilities.
142. October 21 - CLUTTER
EASY: Pick one day this week (perhaps laundry day) to check one room of your home for stuff that’s laying around unused or not put away. Collect the loose stuff. Put it near the front door to remind you to find a permanent home for it (even if it’s just the trash).
CHALLENGING: Do this “Clutter Check” weekly or monthly. Research local organizations/people who can pass your extras on to someone who needs them more than you.
143. October 28 - HALLOWEEN
EASY: With Halloween approaching, folks buy candy/trinkets to give away. Fine. But…also consider treats that are healthy for the body and spirit. Perhaps something with minimal sugar but still fun.
CHALLENGING: My own family of origin gave away pretzels because my dentist father didn’t want to promote tooth decay. It did decrease the number of trick-or-treaters we got ☹, but maybe you could come up with a more appealing treat – maybe a cute book mark, a sweet apple, …Be creative.
135. September 2 - REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE
EASY: With the recent Paris Olympics in mind, read about how athletes received their gold medals while standing on trash. Click here for article. (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/06/business/olympics-recycled-plastic.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare)
CHALLENGING: Think of a creative way to repurpose something you would normally just put in the garbage.
136. September 9 - SPIRITUAL
138. September 23 - ENERGY USE
139. September 30 - PAPER
TO EDUCATORS, LEADERS, & MINISTERS:
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.
EASY: Meditate this week on how I can reduce my consumption of goods and choose one action to take.
CHALLENGING: Meditate regularly on simplifying my life. Find a way to multiply your insights with the broader community through writing or speaking.
EASY: Don’t buy plastic straws for home use. Decline them when offered at restaurants.
CHALLENGING: If a straw is necessary at home (or you just really like using one) try a bamboo or reusable metal one.
EASY: Try an electricity free day. Candlelight at night can be romantic. It's OK to keep the refrigerator or other essential appliance running.
CHALLENGING: Consider whether you can eliminate one electric appliance (shaver, fan, dryer, AC) from your home – or at least reduce its use.
EASY: Stop junk mail. Opt out at 1-888-567-8688 or click here to find out how. (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-stop-junk-mail_n_5b27beb7e4b056b2263c5b54)
CHALLENGING: Use recycled, post-consumer paper products for kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning.
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
Available at: https://pastoral.center/on-care
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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