| Take me: to other places on this web site: to the Home Page of PastoralPlanning.com to the Resource Center for lifelong faith formation to "Getting Started" with lifelong faith formation |
| Key Links Just Faith A site which supports a parish program to teach in depth about just living. LiveSimply From CAFOD in England, the people who began the movement for simpler living. Catholic Relief Services A powerful agent of change in the world, also leading the US implementation of this movement. Common Hope A non-profit agency working to end poverty in the third world by establishing there a middle class. |
The Fourth Step Free your time and live more simply by examining what commitments you have made and how they can be adjusted. Begin with the prayer to the right. |
| For group use when teaching this step to others Invite the members of your group to share the results of this Inventory with each other, but don't pressure members to quit this or that commitment. Instead, allow the Spirit to dwell in this process and nudge members to make whatever shifts and changes seem right to them. There is no way that is more correct or right than another. Each member of the group will find his or her own way. |
| Prayer to assist you with this step Click here to print this or use it on your screen. Open your heart and prepare to take this step. |
| Read more deeply about learning to listen to God in prayer and about learning to "drive the speed limit" in life. See the e-books offered on the left side of this screen. |
| Tell us your story! What commitments have you made? What difficulties have you faced? What has worked for you as you chose to live more simply? How have you adjusted your lifestyle to one that is more sustainable? In what ways have you grown to be in solidarity with the poor of the world? Click here to send us a note and we'll share your story with others. To send us a video, song, pictures, poetry, or other media, simple attach it to an e-mail and send it to this address. |
| Take the other steps See a list of all 14 steps Step One: Step Two: Step Three: You're on Step Four! Step Five: Step Six: Step Seven: Step Eight: Step Nine: Step Ten: Step Eleven: Step Twelve: Step Thirteen: Step Fourteen: |
| Step Four: Examine your commitments and engagements to see how they connect to your Core Priorities. Some people take on many outside commitments, and find themselves nearly overwhelmed by them. Some people take on too few outside engagements, spending their time only on themselves. This step involves you looking through your own life over the past six months or so, and looking ahead in your own schedule. Use the Inventory worksheet which you can download here, to review what's happening in your life and evaluate how it can be simplified. |
| Modern culture in most of the world tends to move with the speed of light! Communications, media, meetings, and events can easily fill up all the quiet spaces of our lives. And yet, when we rest in quiet and prayerfulness, we discover inner strength and wisdom. The thing is that we don't encounter that inner person unless we do pause and allow ourselves to listen. Later in this journey, you will be invited to do a similar exercise regarding your use of media and communications tools. |
| On the side... You may wish to invite your spouse or partner or close friend to work through this Inventory with you. Sometimes sharing this with those closest to us helps us see more clearly how we make the choices we do. |
Please consider making a donation to support the work of this web site. We get by with a little help from our friends. Click on the candle to contribute. Thanks! |
| Two powerful resources Click on the cover to buy the book. A New Look at Prayer: Learning to Listen to Your Inner Guide by Bill Huebsch This carefully written e-book helps you recognize your own inner voice which leads to "right living." Driving the Speed Limit: Learning to Live Simply, Sustainably, and in Solidarity with the Poor by Bill Huebsch This e-book provides you with a road map (almost literally) to help you make choices which are both satisfying and in support of the common human good. |
