Further reading, etc

John Dancy's daughter, Sara Dancy Short and her husband, Brad Short, have lived an
 intentionally simple life for some years now, and were in Durham on November 4th to talk
to the "Climbing the Sycamore Tree" class, as the Voluntary Simplicity class is called.
After they returned home, they sent references to "simplicity" material that the class
might like to read... and perhaps others in the church, too. See below.

Voluntary simplicity is a growing American phenomenon and is consonant with Christian
stewardship and the Christian discipline of simplicity. Some years ago the Bible Roundtable
adult Sunday School class studied Richard Foster's book "Celebrating the Disciplines",
that included simplicity as one of 12 disciplines.

  

Links
Books

  • Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin

  • The Circle of Simplicity by Cecile Andrews

  • Your Money of Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin

  • The Overspent American by Juliet B. Schor

  • Take Back Your Time by John de Graaf

  • The Complete Idiotʼs Guide to Simple Living by Georgene Lockwood

  • The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs

  • Everyday Simplicity by Robert J. Wicks

  • A Simple Choice by Deborah Taylor-Hough

 

 

Strategic Plan for Brad Short 

Mission Statement 

·        To develop an authentic self by integrating values in a consistent manner. 

·        Be the change you wish to see while living in the service of others.

Values 

Family             Tolerance
Planet              Selflessness
Humanity         Humility
Social Justice   Provider
Happiness        Fitness      

Objectives

Family

  1. Establish quality time with each family member (3-4 hrs. per week per kid)
  2. Challenge, engage kids (establish quarterly goals, assure movement toward goals)
  3. Prepare children for life’s challenges (talk about life’s lessons)
  4. Support, nurture and provide loving environment (daily positive affirmations)
  5. Work to help them identify, live authentic lives (explore their paths)
  6. Continue to work on relationship with my wife—explore life’s beauty and wonder together (find alone time, support goals, laugh and enjoy life together)


Planet

  1. Appreciate connection with nature, planet (doing something each day to appreciate the planet) 
  2. Join/engage in organizations, activities supporting the planet (retain organizational support for NWF, Sierra Club and one other organization per year—write to members of Congress)
  3. Live lightly/simply on the earth (reduce impact of current consumption—live consciously—continue as member of Co-Op America)

 Humanity

  1. Support local/national/international causes helping poor, hungry and sick (continue support of GIFT, UNICEF, Ten Thousand Villages and alternative gifts)
  2. Gain greater appreciation of world perspectives (read, listen and engage in discussion)
  3. Work directly with those in need (continue to lead GIFT, attend conferences and/or make pilgrimages every other year)
  4. Cry (Allow emotional outlet for those in need)

 Social Justice

  1. Live by the golden rule (Assure that actions are in line with values)
  2. Treat all with loving kindness (Stop and appreciate the beauty of others)
  3. Join causes/organizations in support of social justice (Join Amnesty International)

 Happiness

  1. Be free to laugh at yourself and the world around you (Share your fallibility with others)
  2. Engage in activities that make you feel good (Play and watch sports, go hiking, help you neighbors, etc.)
  3. Be spontaneous and carefree (Allow for free self-expression and show your love)

 Tolerance

  1. Seek a greater appreciation for the viewpoints of others (know that their intentions are generally good—that they look at the problem from a different view)
  2. Believe in the goodness of all people—(work with them to realize common goals)
  3. Work toward building community (be active and care for all in your community)



Selflessness
 

  1. Understand the effect of my individual actions on the planet and other people (be guided by this knowledge)
  2. Work towards sharing my time, talent and treasures with others (be generous with your resources)
  3. Allow the organizations you lead to continue to foster a sense of giving and caring (assure that your actions come from a place of kindness and love)

 Humility

  1. Understand your position in life—understand the position of others (know that your situation has greatly dictated where you are in life) 
  2. Seek not to compromise one value for the values of others (do not take too much pleasure in yourself or your accomplishments)
  3. Live in the moment—appreciate the journey (understand that each of life’s moments are precious and wonderous)

 Provider

  1. Understand and appreciate your role as a provider (understand that your job provides an important resource to others)
  2. Share what you reap (be happy to give)
  3. Do not allow guilt to be your guide (work for the pleasure it brings to others)
  4. Provide service in all your work (let it be the guiding light in your life)

 Fitness (Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual, Artistic and Psychological)

  1. Seek balance in each day (fill the cups of physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health) 
  2. Appreciate the gifts you have (give thanks for the things you can do)
  3. Work to enhance those gifts (practice mindful exercise)
  4. Find enlightenment for well-being (seek to find a “place of resonance”)