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:
Dec. 2023
Nov. 2023
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*
1075. Jan. 1: (New Year's Day) Ask your spouse if there's one little annoying habit that he/she would like you to work on changing. You don’t HAVE to do it, but the best part of a New Year's resolution might be making an effort to please the one you love most.
1076. Jan. 8: For some couples children come readily or even by surprise. Others painfully wait month after month hoping to become a parent. Or maybe you're past the childbearing age. Whatever your situation, pray for those who seek to become parents.
1077. Jan. 15: MLK Day - What does it mean to be equal? Are both of you equally good at cooking, mechanical things, sewing, small talk? Probably not. Even though your spouse may have a natural talent for a particular task, try trading chores for a day. Trading places can bring new appreciation for each other. Even if the job doesn’t get done as well, it can provide a laugh.
1078. Jan. 22: During the long, usually cold, nights of winter, plan a warm surprise for your beloved. Perhaps you both might independently choose the same surprise. What a surprise that would be!
1079. Jan. 29: "Give great care to the preparation of engaged couples and be close to the young married couples, so that they will be...an eloquent testimony of God's love." (Pope John Paul II, 2001) Pray today for volunteers who guide couples through marriage programs.
1080. Feb. 5: February is Black History Month, but not all injustices are black or white. In marriage there’s often a lot of gray when trying to figure out who is right in an argument. Before insisting on having your way, try to get in your spouse’s skin. Look at the problem through his/her eyes. This works between races too.
1081. Feb. 12: How Do I Love Thee? - As we count the days to Valentine Day, let us also count the ways we love our spouse. This is not a math contest. Pick out 1, 2, or 3 ways that your beloved brings you joy.
1082. Feb. 19: Feb. 19 is Presidents Day in the USA, but presidential debates and accusations flow wildly throughout this election year. Practice listening well to your beloved and seeking common ground on all vital issues, even politics. May our country be so wise too.
1083. Feb. 26: How do I pray? Let me count the ways. For one spouse it might be memorized or repetitive prayers; for another contemplative, spontaneous, or crisis praying. For some nature or silence may prompt our spirituality. Whether alone or together; often, rarely, or never – talk. Maybe try out your beloved’s way.
1084. Mar. 4: Having a disagreement? Try rating how strongly you feel about the issue on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being "I care strongly about this issue." Spouse also rates the issue. Sometimes the partner with less investment will be willing to give in -- this time. Part 2 next week.
1085. Mar. 11: Disagreements, Part 2. If on a scale of 1-10 you're both about 5, seek a compromise. If you're both around 10, seek a new solution or agree to disagree. Don't play games though. If one of you is always a 10, he/she may need to let go of control.
1086. Mar. 18: The Spring Equinox (https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox) is Tuesday, March 19 when planet Earth has nearly equal light and darkness. Why should you care? Perhaps use nature’s day of equality to ponder how you & your beloved each have happy and sad, good and bad days. Love each other through both.
1087. Mar. 25: From the ecstasy of Palm Sunday to the crucifixion on Good Friday; it all seems so incompatible and surreal. Is your life ever like this roller coaster? How do you calm each other in the midst of joy and tragedy?
*Marriage Moments go out to individuals on Mondays. For Sunday bulletins use the Sunday immediately before the above date.
PARENTING POINTERS
1080. Feb. 2: Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day. As a family, look for your shadows today. Shadows don't have to always be physical. Sometimes it's an undeveloped talent or the opposite of a strength you have. Perhaps you’re an extrovert. Try being quieter -- or vice-versa.
1081. Feb. 9: Your family may not come from royalty but have fun playing King or Queen for a Day. Assign each person 1 day this week to choose their favorite food, activity, and be free of most chores. Others have to take up the slack. (More than 7 people in your family? Extend the week.)
1082. Feb. 16: Following your King/Queen for a Day week, try Servant for a Day week. Again, assign each person 1 day to do a service for each other member of the family. Be creative. Be generous. Be willing. (Babies are exempt.😊)
1083. Feb. 23: A week of prayer: No, you don't have to be in a church or on your knees 24/7, but experiment with different ways to pray. Let everyone, no matter how young or old, share their favorite prayer or style of praying -- no matter how short or long.
PARENTING POINTERS*
1084. Mar. 1: Is someone in your family feeling a little discouraged or depressed these days? March 1 is World Compliment Day. (https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/world-compliment-day) Offer them a sincere compliment. It may make you feel better too.
1085. Mar. 8: On these often dreary days of March, carve out some time this weekend to play with your child(ren). Think board games, cards, hide and seek, read a book together, or some other fun activity. Even a video game counts. The rest of the day may go better.
1086. Mar. 15: Next Tuesday, March 19, is the Spring Equinox when daylight and night darkness are equal. Perhaps use the increasing daylight to look for dirt and clutter. Ok, so this is a sly hint to draft your kids into helping you do some Spring cleaning this weekend.
1087. Mar. 22: March 24 is Palm Sunday. Tell your children the story of how the people praised Jesus by waving palms. Of course just a few days later we remember Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday. Click here to learn how to make a palm cross with your child. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmtg7m7Ion8)
1088. Mar. 29: On Good Friday we remember that Christ died for us. As parents we give our lives daily for our children. Overlook one fault of your child today. (You can catch up later.)
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:
106. February 5: INFLUENCE OTHERS
EASY: Talk to a neighbor or friend about your commitment to care for planet earth plus an eco-friendly practice you do. Sign up for Katherine Hayhoe's free climate newsletter.
CHALLENGING: Call, write, or email your mayor or other community leader about how climate affects your region. Ask them to take action. Extra credit: Do the same for your senator or representative. For contact information click here. (https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member)
107. February 12: GENEROSITY (Lent-Spiritual)
EASY: As Christians prune our lives and spirits during Lent (starting Feb. 14), look for 1 item a week to give away to someone in need. If you're not a Christian do it anyway for a few weeks because you care.
CHALLENGING: How about looking for 1 item a day until Easter to give away to someone in need.
108. February 19: SHOPPING
EASY: When shopping, look for items made as close to home as possible to support local businesses and reduce the carbon footprint of shipping.
CHALLENGING: When shopping focus on sustainably made products (compostable phone cases, sunglasses made from recycled ocean plastics, etc.) Be brave enough to not be a slave to fast fashion.
109. February 26: PLASTICS
EASY: Avoid chewing gum. It’s made with plastic.
CHALLENGING: Research what your local garbage collection company does with plastic trash. Then research what organizations are available in your community that recycle #1, #2, and #5 plastics.
110. March 4: FOOD - MEATLESS MONDAYS
EASY: Christians often fast from meat on Fridays during Lent. Why not add Meatless Mondays till Easter. (https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/meatless-monday)
CHALLENGING: Commit to Meatless Mondays for the rest of the year. Eating less (or no) meat reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
111. March 11: EDUCATE YOURSELF
EASY: Watch the inspiring 14 minute Ted talk "Are We the Last Generation?..." (https://www.ted.com/talks/hannah_ritchie_are_we_the_last_generation_or_the_first_sustainable_one?hasSummary=true) OR (https://bit.ly/3UFyHy1) by Hannah Ritchie about hope for a sustainable future. (Alert: be patient with the 14 second promo ad leading into the video.)
CHALLENGING: You found the bottom right sound icon and put up with the video ad; Now take one action prompted by this Ted talk to spread a message of hope.
112. March 18: TRANSPORTATION
EASY: Reduce the environmental impact of your driving by driving no more than the speed limit, making easy stops and starts, not idling.
CHALLENGING: Burn less gas by keeping your car tuned up, change the oil/air filters regularly, when using the AC use the recirculating mode. Consider buying an electric vehicle.
113. March 25: ENERGY USE
EASY: Install a power strip for appliances to avoid drawing ghost electricity.
CHALLENGING: Set your refrigerator at 36F to 42F, your freezer at -5F to +6F, and your water heater at 120F.
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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*Treasury of Celebrations: published by Northstone, a division of Wood Lake Publications, BC, Canada, best known for its Seasons of the Spirit curriculum.