| 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 Thirteenth Step Look into the future and become away of your buying plans. Be honest and conscious. Begin with the prayer to the right. |
| For group use when teaching this step to others Invite the members of your group to share this exercise with each other. It is a bit like attending any meeting for addiction to listen as people read through their lists, admitting their near powerlessness over the urge to buy! Be sure to proceed with respect for all in this sharing process. |
| 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: Step Four: Step Five: Step Six: Step Seven: Step Eight: Step Nine: Step Ten: Step Eleven: Step Twelve: You're on Step Thirteen! Step Fourteen: |
| Step Thirteen: Become aware of what you intend to buy next. Almost everyone carries around in his or her head a little shopping list of things we want to buy, the next time we have the chance. Sometimes we go ahead and buy these things even when we don't have the money. We use a credit card which we know we can't pay at the end of the month. Other times we simply build up our list. Buying things give us an emotional "rush" that is pleasurable - and often replaces the deeper pleasures of friendship, contentment, and peace. |
| In this exercise, we want you to make a list of the items you currently have in mind to purchase for yourself or for someone else. Is it a new car? Is it clothing? Food? Furniture? A larger home? A new addition? Or what? Being conscious of this internal list can help free us from the slavery of consumption. It helps us be mindful. Some things we buy are essentials and those should stay on the list. Other things are absolutely discretionary - knowing the difference between these is the key. Use this Worksheet. |
| On the Side... As you commit yourself to living simply, sustainably, and in greater solidarity with the world's poor, you have to be ready to change the very way you live. Read Driving the Speed Limit for some deeper reflections on what this means. Click here to go there. |
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. |
