Love the “Other” – Purposeful Living Idea 7 of 52

“We operate with the assumption that giving people new ideas changes people.  It doesn’t.  Believing ideas is, in fact, a way of not having to change in any significant way.  Especially if you can argue about them, ideas become defenses. … You do not have to substantially change to think some new ideas.  You always have to change to love and forgive ordinary people.”  - Richard Rohr

I propose that if we want to change the world, the place to start isn’t with trying to convince others our ideas are right.  The place to start is within oneself and finding the courage to love and forgive others, especially those with differing ideas.  As we find the courage to love and forgive, perhaps we’ll stimulate others to do the same and the world will become a more loving, forgiving place.

My friend Steve was talking about something similar yesterday.  He said something along these lines: “When someone asks me a question about a divisive topic, I’ll ask them, ‘Can we still be friends even if we disagree about ethical issues?’ Depending on their answer I know how far our conversation will go.”

I’ve been thinking about this a lot since.  How good of friends am I to people who think totally different than I do – especially about ethical concerns?  Do I really love them?  Do I forgive them from my perspective even if they don’t seek forgiveness given their ethical differences?  Perhaps I could experience better life by being a better friend to others and receiving better friendships in return.  How would this work?

Love those with differing ideas.  Better your life.  Change the world.

Eat Less Meat! – Purposeful Living Idea 6 of 52

This week I was inspired by the Alliance for a Greener South Loop to consider eating less meat.  I was surprised to learn that there is no such think as ecologically sustainable meat.  All meat - including local, organic, and free-range - takes a large toll on the environment.  I’m going to join in with the “Meatless Mondays in May” campaign and replace some of the meat I eat with plant-based foods.  It’s not about being vegetarian or vegan, just about consuming less animals.  The more of us who eat less meat (in May and beyond), the bigger difference we can make for our planet.  I’m fairly certain my body will thank me for it too. 

If you’d like some more inspiration, here are some claims some major groups have made about the impact of eating less meat.

Al Gore’s Live Earth organization reports that “If everyone went vegetarian just for one day, the U.S. would save: 100 billion gallons of water, enough to supply all the homes in New England for almost 4 months and 70 million gallons of gas, enough to fuel all the cars of Canada and Mexico combined with plenty to spare.”

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, “if every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetarian foods instead, the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than half a million cars off of U.S. roads.”

One more from a major individual: “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” - Albert Einstein

Eat less meat.  Better your life.  Change the world. 

This Month at Overflow!

Here are two events we're hosting this month.  Hope you can attend to build community and to find ways to change the world.

• Thursday, May 16 at 6:30pm - 2013 Freedom Forum - Focus on Housing & Social Services for Survivors (hosted by Traffick Free, we're sponsoring along with Lemon Creek Winery)

• Tuesday, May 28 at 7:00pm - The Line Film Screening in partnership with World Vision

Other events hosted in our building:

• Saturday, May 11 - Chicago Solo Theatre (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8pm
• Tuesday, May 14 - Mildred Pierce Film Screening (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 6:30pm 
• Saturday, May 25 - Larry Gray Trio in Concert (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 7:30pm

Thinking about Charity – Purposeful Living Idea 5 of 52

Watch this video:

Dan Pallotta advocates, “Let's change the way we think about changing the world.”  When choosing a charity to give to or volunteer for, how do you choose?  Did Dan convince you to rethink any of your current charities?  If so, how?  On a different level, how do you think about changing the world?  Did Dan convince you to change the way you think?  If so, how?  Were any ideas sparked?

Think differently.  Better your life.  Change the world.

Sustainable Community – Purposeful Living Idea 4 of 52

Last night we hosted a film screening of Within Reach with the Alliance for a Greener South Loop.  We chose this film in part because Monday was Earth Day and we wanted to show a film about how people are caring for the planet.  The film gave hope to those of us in attendance – both for those who lean toward sustainability and for those who lean toward community.

There were a few statements made in the film that jumped out to me in particularly.  To paraphrase:

• Americans have HALF as many close friends today as we did 50 years ago.
• Americans eat meals with friends HALF as often as we did 50 years ago.
• When you choose a problem, choose a BIG one.
• Living in relationship with others is in itself better for the environment than living in isolation.

Which leads me to something I’d like to do to live more purposefully, and perhaps might inspire you to do as well.  I’d love to share more meals with friends.  I’d like to cook for them or have them cook for me.  Then we could sit around a table and share our food and our souls.   There’s the practical aspect that we’re only using 1 stove, 1 light source, 1 heating/cooling source, and other planet-friendly things.  But there’s also the potential for more happiness in our lives.

What comes to mind for you when you think about “sustainable community?”

Share meals.  Better your life.  Change the world.