Using Simplicity to be a Good Steward

Fulfilling responsibilities is a very difficult thing to do, especially when it’s your choice whether you do them or not. Like taking out the trash, you don’t NEED to do it, but it’s something that you are requested to do and it will benefit you and others if you do it. Earth day uses the same principle. If you DO choose to take action to help the Earth, then you will be helping yourself, and the entire world.


Since our SPICE this year is simplicity, we thought of ways that we could help the Earth using simplicity as our guideline. The connection between simplicity and stewardship is actually very strong. Simplicity involves living life with few material possessions, and being uncomplicated in your actions. Stewardship means being responsible and careful with your possessions or something entrusted in your care. On Earth Day, people use stewardship to try and change the Earth for the better. However, without really knowing it, they also focus on simplicity. When you turn out the lights and other electronics to save power, you are acting simply by not using those devices. Here’s a video to show you how important it is to take care of our planet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-bhphs4QOw

This video tells you that even the smallest differences, like recycling a single can or bottle, makes a huge difference in the world, which is why this week’s query is so important.

This week’s query is: How can we focus on simplicity and be good stewards?

Sources:
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stewardship
www.values.com/stewardship

Simplicity

"Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Simplicity to me means no extravagant or unnecessary purchases. A simpler way of defining it would be a "cozy" lifestyle. Quakers are a perfect example of simplicity due to their acceptance and peaceful way of life. I wish I lived more like that but I have always struggled with it. However now that I'm beginning to see their attitude I'm starting to work on my greed. So far I believe I've come far but I'm still not there yet.

The thing that seems so blatantly obvious as simplicity for me is nature. I think this due to nature being the most primitive and amazing part of life. If we learned to live with nature instead of using it up for our own personal gain, I believe many people will share my view.

I believe the best example of simplicity from nature is plant life. It doesn't harm anything at all except for us because we haven't learned to live with it. I'm not saying everyone should just drop every thing, have their house destroyed and live outside, I'm saying that if we found a way to live that wasn't so dependent on harming nature, then we'll all live a simple lifestyle. The day we do that is obviously not going to be tomorrow or the day after but it'll be the day that there is a worldwide agreement and peace. That's the day where there won't be any racism, religion, or human conflict. Only peace, friendship and simplicity.

Kobe

Homework

Read the simplicity packet.

Choose an idea from the packet and write about it.

Be sure to quote the article or passage you are referring to and make sure you cite your source.

3 paragraph minimum.

Grammar and mechanics must be correct.

This I Believe...

For just about my whole life I've been told there is a God and I would happily pray with my family. I never thought that there wasn't a God because I didn't think I could choose for my self. One day I told my family about this and they were fine with it which amazed me. They told me to pray every time I needed help which I did. Their acceptance pushed me to tell my friends and that day I began to believe in having our own personal opinion. I've always been a Christian and haven't thought of converting. However, I am beginning to become skeptical about whether or not there is truly a God.

I became skeptical due to going to a school called The First Academy where they would always talk about God and think less of those who didn't believe in him. Yet they showed no proof of his existence and only said that others were wrong. I believe that I should be able to hold off from a religion and choose to believe in God or not until I have actual facts of his existence. I am still Christian but until I have actually seen or have proof of his existence I will never truly have a preferable religion. I enjoy the freedom of having an opinion and believe that we should allow everyone to have their own opinion, however, most religions are not like that. They are almost always stating that they are right and others are wrong. They believe they have proof but never show it.

Atheism states that there is no God. I do not believe or disbelieve in God and its terrible that some people don't have the choice to do the same, due to a highly religious family or something along those lines. I acknowledge the fact that some people believe in God, Buddha, or Allah and I won't tell them otherwise until I know for sure there is or isn't a God.

Kobe