" Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."
-- Confucius
"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough."
-- Author Unknown
"Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as one, two, three and to a hundred or a thousand ... We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without." -- Henry David Thoreau
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
-- Albert Einstein
" I have learned by some experience, by many examples, and by the writings of countless others before me, also occupied in the search, that certain environments, certain modes of life, certain rules of conduct are more conducive to inner and outer harmony than others. There are, in fact, certain roads that one may follow. Simplification of life is one of them."
-- Ann Morrow Lindbergh (Gift from the Sea)
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
-- Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House in the Ozarks by Hines)
"A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt (My Days)
"Live simply that others might simply live."
-- Elizabeth Seaton
"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non- essentials."
-- Lin Yutang
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Why is Simplicity so complicated? It challenges us to rethink our values!
For example, Simplicity teaches us Economy. Consider how advertisers create a psychological need for us to buy complicated electronic devices. I need a cell phone to make phone calls, but I want one that takes and stores thousands of photos, plays music and movies, entertains me with games, and can even identify my current location from a satellite in space (hmmm...if I don't know where I am, I probably shouldn't be there anyway). I complicate Simplicity! I'm one of the elite 12% of women in my age group (i.e. old), who own an Ipod! But it wasn't easy being a member of this group - it took me days to learn how to turn the thing off since it has no control that actually says "off". I spend hundreds of dollars on "communication" each month (phone, fax, internet, cell phone, cable), but haven't spoken to some dear friends for a long time, nor written a personal letter to someone (not an email) in years.
True Economy = Simplicity.
The most complicated type of Simplicity is keeping the mind plain - to be in the moment ... and to enjoy the moment. Simplicity relaxes the mind. It is freedom from material wants and desires. Try - right now - to check yourself and observe your thoughts. Is the mind relaxed and positive? Or is it filled with thoughts that evoke fear, worries, sadness, or other negative emotions?
Simplicity is giving ourselves permission to just "be" . There is no better time to do that than the summer. Have a wonderful summer, filled with Simple things!
Simply,
Kathy Shea
Kathleen A. Shea, Ph.D.
President of LVEP, US
VALUE OF THE MONTH:SIMPLICITY
Simplicity is a value that can be brought into our lives in many ways. When I practice simplicity in my mind, I find myself slowing down and enjoying more moments. With Earth Day this past month, and spring in the air, it is a wonderful value to reflect on ... for within it is the practice of honoring the earth.
In the Living Values Activities for Children books, there are a variety of activities for children and young people. They are encouraged to enjoy nature, learn about the needs of our planet, and create projects to help the earth. This spring allow yourself to enjoy getting onto a few hiking trails. If you are a parent, try limiting your children's time in front of computer or video screens, and bring them outdoors with you.
Below are Reflection Points from Living Values Activities for Young Adults that relate to this theme.
Simplicity is learning from the earth.
Simplicity is beautiful.
Simplicity is relaxing.
Simplicity is being natural.
Simplicity is staying in the present and not making things complicated.
Simplicity is learning from the wisdom of native cultures.
Simplicity is giving patience, friendship, and encouragement.
Simplicity is appreciating the small things in life.
Developing love and respect for nature will help children want to help our earth. Simplicity is a value that encourages us to contemplate sustainable development. Our planet is in great need right now. As teachers or parents, create the opportunity for students to research what is happening to the polar ice caps, and learn more about the relationship between the use of carbon-based fuels and global warming. Research some of the innovative methods being developed that use natural resources that do not harm the planet.
"A few months ago we reported on future attempts to use a kite to move a cargo ship across the ocean. But just last week, the MS Beluga set sail on its maiden voyage from Bremerhaven to Venezuela where it showed, quite successfully, that wind power might just be the future of nautical transportation.
The MS Beluga is a 140 meter long cargo ship. It uses a 160 square meter sky-sail which is set to fly at a height between 100 and 300 meters above the ocean. While it is not the main mode of propulsion, the kite is able to reduce fuel consumption by about 10% to 35% depending on wind conditions. The Skysail is the creation of Stephan Wrage who believes these kites could be used on almost 60% of all cargo ships."
Involve your students and children in exploring how they can cut down on the use of polluting fuels. Are they walking or bicycling when possible? Do they wear sweaters rather than turn up the heat? Do they have a garden? What do they think are the benefits of buying organic vegetables from a local farmers market? In addition to fresher foods, what are the environmental benefits? How much fuel does it take to transport food 1,000s of miles? .
http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=406 offers a video about the importance of water. It could be used as a springboard to conserve water, and to learn about how to make our streams and rivers healthier.
And, for us all - and our society - how about the following reflection point?
Simplicity asks whether we are being induced to purchase unnecessary products. Psychological enticements create artificial needs. Desires stimulated by wanting unnecessary things result in value clashes complicated by greed, fear, peer pressure, and a false sense of identify. Once fulfillment of basic necessities allow for a comfortable lifestyle, extremes and excesses invite overindulgence and waste.
What are the benefits of recycling, and limiting our buying?
Enjoy helping our earth - and getting outdoors and enjoying the spring!
PLAY with your children this summer! Get exercise and inspiration from being outdoors. Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children. Despite the benefits derived from play for both children and parents, time for free play has been markedly reduced for some children. A variety of factors have reduced play, including a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure, and increased attention to academics and enrichment activities at the expense of recess or free child-centered play. Pediatricians can advocate for children by helping families, school systems, and communities consider how best to ensure that play is protected as they seek the balance in children's lives to create the optimal developmental milieu.
Use the value of COOPERATION "When everyone cooperates, we all have more fun!"
Pay attention to your child's DIET. A can of soda can contain TEN (10) teaspoons of sugar.
Be extremely selective with TV...both WHAT YOU watch as well as what you allow your children to watch.
The annual national conference of the Character Education Partnership will be a forum for telling the story of Living Values Education Program. Look for a presentation on:
Do You Know Where Your Parents Are? Engaging Parents in Character Education through the Living Values Educational Program
2008 National Forum on Character Education "Character Is Destiny"
Video Placement Review is your resource to learn about current educational video-based programs that are available to teachers, free of charge, courtesy of America's leading corporations and associations
Our spring newsletter offers exciting information about the FREE programs available from VPW and other items of interest to America's teachers.
A new elementary level program that teaches tolerance and appreciation of differences with a kid-to- kid music CD, sheet music and class exercises;
Programs to help middle and high school teachers teach about:
...how the Federal Reserve is working in today's financial crisis,
...the history of America through music, and
...Shakespeare using DVDs, an audio CD, guides and posters;
Other programs still available from VPW as well as TeacherTips from fellow educators.
All of this is just a click away . http://www.vpw.com/news/
Take a moment to read our spring newsletter and to order programs that can be of continuing use to you in your teaching. Please note: Order NOW for summer school or to prepare for your fall curriculum as we do not ship programs between May 1st and September 1st. contactvpw@vpw. com
Living Values Support Group Meeting in the Seattle Area
The above support group will be meeting every 3rd Friday of the month. Teachers who are using Living Values in their schools and parents who are interested are welcome. Meeting will be held at various Seattle schools or homes as people volunteer. For more information and meeting place, please call Mari at 206-524-6258
Monthly Parent Workshops Held at Aventura City of Excellence, Aventura, Florida
Living Values volunteers conduct monthly workshops for parents designed to bring values into focus both at home and at school. Parents' study and practice effective parenting skills including communicating with children, designing appropriate consequences, and strategies to build positive behaviors in children. For more information, contact Kathy Shea at 305-773- 4500 or lvepmiami@aol.com.
Living Values Education Educator Workshop
August 9 - 11, 2008, 9:00 am Saturday to 1:00pm Monday
Anubhuti Retreat Center in Novato, CA
Join us for a relaxing and inspiring two- and a half-day weekend workshop at the Anubhuti Retreat Centre in Novato, California. This LVEP workshop will be led by Diane Tillman, Licensed Educational Psychologist and the primary author of the award-winning Living Values Series, Kyoko Kimura and Jane McCord. Skills to create a values-based atmosphere and values activities will be explored. The workshop will also include information about LVE's theoretical model, the breadth of the program internationally, and time for reflection, sharing, role playing, walks and play.
RESULTS: The most frequent themes noted by educators implementing Living Values Education are positive changes in teacher-student relationships and in student-student relationships both inside and outside the classroom. Educators note an increase in respect, caring, cooperation, motivation, and the ability to solve peer conflicts on the part of the students. Aggressive behaviors decline as positive social skills and respect increase. LVEP helps educators create safe, caring, values-based atmospheres for quality learning
BE PART OF THIS GLOBAL MOVEMENT for an education that helps humanity flourish. Living Values Education Program is a comprehensive values education program. This innovative global program, being implemented in more than 80 countries, offers training, a practical methodology and a wide variety of experiential values activities to educators to help them provide the opportunity for children and young adults to explore and develop universal values.
For more information call: 562 430- 9754
Space is limited, so kindly register early. While the presenters are volunteering their time, there will be a $40 LVE materials fee as well as a donation for meals and two nights of accommodation to the retreat center. For registration: Please register on-line at www.anubhutiretreatcenter.org or call 415 884- 2314.
Annual Living Values Educators' Workshop
July 17-20, 2008 Annual Living Values Educators' Workshop-Peace Village in Haines Falls, New York. This training will introduce educators, school administrators and parents to age-appropriate values- based (character education) curricula for preschool, primary school, and secondary school groups. Educators at LVEP sites report increased respect among students, both toward their peers and their teachers, greater self-confidence, improved cooperation and ability to resolve conflicts, and increased motivation to learn. Some teachers report higher academic functioning has kept pace with these changes. Kindly go to www.livingvalueseducation.org for more information and registration.
Living Values Train-The-Trainer Workshop (TTT)
July 17-22, 2008 Living Values Train-The-Trainer Workshop (TTT)
This workshop is for experienced facilitators and values educators who wish to present a Living Values Educational Program workshop to colleagues, parents, or others.
This workshop provides the LVE Educator Training Guide and the rationale of the training process is explained. Other sessions include the theoretical background of LVE, research which supports values/character and LVE at the international level. The workshop is based on interactive adult learning processes. Group activities, case studies and mini training sessions will be supplemented by concept building lectures. This workshop is a "must" if you want to:
Introduce the Living Values Educational Program to your school or community
Discover an invaluable model to help accelerate learning
Reduce disciplinary referrals and improve classroom management
Create a positive learning environment for children
Donations Can be Made to Living Values Education Program
Support the grassroots work of our board and committees by donating today. Donate now to help a community build a caring and loving environment in which children learn about themselves as well as their reading and math. Some of the improvements that have been documented in the schools we have served are:
Better emotional understanding
Better social knowledge
Better interactive behaviors with peers
Less aggression with peers
Support the grassroots work of our board and committees by donating today. Donate now to help a community build a caring and loving environment in which children learn about themselves as well as their reading and math. Some of the improvements that have been documented in the schools we have served are:
Better emotional understanding
Better social knowledge
Better interactive behaviors with peers
Less aggression with peers
Less bullying
To donate with PayPal. Just click the button below:
