Taken from Richard Rohr’s Weekly Newsletter from the Center for Action and Contemplation

Author Tiffany Shlain offers a practice she calls a “Technology Sabbath” as a way of reducing our addiction to technology and our personal devices. She writes:  

How often have you looked up from your screen, eyes dazed, and realized you’ve just wasted thirty minutes or an hour or more? You look around and see everyone else with their heads down staring at their screens, too. You worry about how this is affecting you as an individual and society at large. You think you should do something about it, then your phone buzzes, you respond to the text, and you’re pulled back to the screen again. We’ve become ostriches, burying our heads in silicon sand                                                                                                                                     

Researchers have compared the sense of technological dependency—the feeling that we must be accessible and responsive at any time—to that of drugs and alcohol. It’s all because of the hormone dopamine, which is related to mood, attention, and desire. When you find something that feels good, dopamine makes you want more of it.                                      

What brings you joy ?  Think about all the (screen free) activities you enjoy doing that you just don't do enough       

Consider your own tradition or history.  What foods, practices from your childhood,  family , faith or culture would make the day more meaningful for you ?   

Consider your intentions  What qualities do you want to develop ?  What habits do you want to break ?  How do you want to feel when the day is over ? 

How to prepare for 24/6     A little think ahead will help you get more our of the day.

Plan your first Tech Shabbat Look at your calendar and plan what weekend day or (weekday)  you are going to start. Mark down several weeks in a row.  The power and beauty of this practice comes with it's regularity. In time you will look forward to it each week, Look at the list of things you want to do more of. Plan to fill your screen free day with activities from that list.  You can even print the list, post it on your fridge, and reference it throughout the day.  Or fill the day with doing nothing, if that's what you need and want. Invite anyone you want to join you for a meal, an activity, or the whole day. Tell people in your life you are planning to do this.  Don't come from a place of apology, but a place of strength and excitement.  If they express concern or curiosity, invite them to a Tech Sabbath dinner so they can experience it with you.

                                                                                    

KIVA LOANS MADE IN OCTOBER / FOUR INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

 

Rami's story is 43 and lives with his family in Bethlehem, West

Bank in Palestine. He Rami, is a hardworking refugee who tries his utmost to help his family live a decent life. He works in the construction field, which is hard work and requires a lot of effort. He turned to Palestine for Credit and Development FATEN to request a loan to buy construction equipment. This equipment will improve his work and enhance his income. He hopes you will help by funding his loan.

María Magdalena's story .Maria and her family live in the Bajos de Montecristi in Ecaudor A  place that stands out for their crafts made of toquilla straw, wicker, piquigua, and wood, fine toquilla straw hats, recognized around the world as “Panama Hats”, well known throughout the country and abroad.  At home, Maria Magdalena has a small pig farm where she works every day, feeding them and keeping them healthy. When they are grown and have a good weight, she sells them alive to merchants who come to buy them. Her children also have a wooden shop at home.  This loan is to buy small pigs, food, medicines, wood, sandpaper, paint, pay electricity bills, etc.

Sawiyah's story. She is pictured here with her son.   Sawiyah is 41 years old and married with one son and one daughter. She and her husband run a business of handcrafts in Indonesia.  One of her children is still in school. As a mother, Sawiyah is very concerned about the education of her children. She is asking Kiva for support because she wants to pay the school fees which are in arrears, because she thinks that education is the key to a brighter and better future.  So, she has applied for a loan of 1,800,000 Indonesian rupiahs (IDR) from KBMI at Curug Branch to pay for her child's school fees in arrears. Her income is not enough to directly pay these costs, but she will be able to repay the loan received in installments using the profits generated from her business.  Sawiyah is a hardworking mother who always strives for the best for her children to improve their living conditions and provide a bright future for them to pursue their dreams. She is very grateful for the opportunity and wants to thank all the lenders.

Elbia's story  This is Elbia, a micro-businesswoman who is happy to be able to be her own boss. She is also a pillar in her own family. Today, Elbia is the owner of an office supplies shop. Elbia knows about the work these two groups do because in the past they provided her with financial support which helped her fortify herself.  At this time, she is asking for a new Kiva loan through MiCrédito to buy 2 computers and 10 reams of paper. With this valuable investment, she will be able to provide her service to more customers and her profits increased. In addition, in the next few years, she is planning to open another office supplies store.

FROM GLOBAL SISTERS REPORT

 

In the footsteps of the Ukrainian people's Way of the Cross

Link to article below.  Thanks to Jeff Konyar for forwarding this 

https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/ministry/column/footsteps-ukrainian-peoples-way-cross?utm_source=PANTHEON_STRIPPED&utm_campaign=PANTHEON_STRIPPED&utm_medium=PANTHEON_STRIPPED&utm_term=PANTHEON_STRIPPED