Here's how to use it: each day has a simple practice. In addition, each week has a practice. These are things that are beneficial to do for more than one day, and offers some more longevity in the practices, which allows you to dig deeper into them. These practices also offer a bit of reasoning/education as to why they are included.
So, use this as you like. I hope it helps you in whatever part of your simplicity journey you are right now. Happy simplifying!
Walking
Simply With Christ Throughout Lent
Day 1 (Ash Wednesday):
Pray for your enemies.
Day 2: Start a gratitude
journal, writing down 5 things each day that you are thankful for.
Day 3: Don’t turn on the
car radio. In the quiet, pray for people who are hungry.
Day 4: Give $20 to a
non-profit of your choosing.
[Sunday, February 22]
à This week, write in your gratitude journal
each day. Being grateful for what you already have is an important way to
fend off wanting more. (Actually write it down, so you can go back and look
later!)
Day 5: Reach out to
someone who is sick or in need of companionship.
Day 6: Look out the
window until you find something of beauty you had not noticed before.
Day 7: Give 5 items of
clothing to the South Wedge Mission’s Free Store.
Day 8: Notice your trash
today and see how much you accumulate. Think of ways to reduce waste. (Could
you have composted something? Used something reusable instead of single-use?)
Day 9: Stop saving items
to “read later.” Read it now or recycle it.
Day 10: Buy a few $5 fast
food gift cards to give to homeless people you encounter.
[Sunday, March 1]
à This week, take 5-minute showers, and/or
have some no-shower days. Many people in the world don’t have access to
clean water at all, yet we in the Western world tend to waste it.
Day 11: Call an old friend.
Day 12: Pray the Paper
(pray for people and situations in today’s news).
Day 13: Read Psalm 139.
Memorize one verse that speaks to you.
Day 14: Pay a few sincere
compliments.
Day 15: Think about the
first thing you touch in the morning. How much value does it have compared to
everything else (including people) you touch today?
Day 16: Spend 10 minutes
looking at the sky, trees, and land, and give thanks for creation.
[Sunday, March 8]
à This week, incorporate rest into your daily
routine, even if it is just taking a moment of quiet once every hour, or
finding 15 minutes to sit quietly. Use this time to rejuvenate and be with God,
whatever that looks like to you.
Day 17: Forgive someone.
Or, apologize to someone.
Day 18: Write someone a
hand-written letter.
Day 19: Change one light
in your house to a compact florescent.
Day 20: Take a walk with
someone you love, or a new friend.
Day 21: Schedule a more
significant Sabbath in your day. It should be a 6-to-1 ratio, with one hour of
rest to 6 hours of work. Use that time for meditation, retreat, or
volunteering.
Day 22: For two hours,
turn off all devices (phone, computer, etc.). Use this time to play a game with
your family, call an old friend, or have a conversation – in short, to connect
with people you love.
[Sunday, March 15]
à This week, try having two meatless days.
Water used to raise livestock accounts for 40% of water consumption in the US
(compared to 13% for domestic use like showers and toilets), and livestock are
responsible for most of the methane gas and ammonia put into our atmosphere. If
a four-person family skips steak once a week, it has the same environmental
impact as taking your car off the road for nearly three months. (Plus, it’s
good for you!)
Day 23: Introduce yourself
to a neighbor.
Day 24: Read Psalm 121.
Memorize a verse that is meaningful to you.
Day 25: Bring your own
reusable mug/water bottle/takeout containers. If you don’t have these, acquire
them.
Day 26: Make a meal completely
from scratch.
Day 27: Don’t buy anything
today. Give thanks for what you already have.
Day 28: Light a candle and
say a prayer for someone you have seen recently who is in need.
[Sunday, March 22]
à This week, set aside a chunk of time to
tackle one category of “stuff” in your house (clothes, kitchen, hobby room…),
and decide what to discard. Ask yourself, “Does this item add value to my
life? Does it spark joy in me?” If the answer is no, and it is good shape, then
donate it to the South Wedge Mission’s “Free Store” (donations taken 4:30-6pm
on Wednesdays). Otherwise, throw it out.
Day 29: Write a thank you
note to your favorite teacher.
Day 30: Invest in (or
make!) canvas shopping bags. Bring them not only to the grocery store, but into
every store. Try not to acquire any bag you will later throw away/recycle.
Day 32: Donate art
supplies to an elementary school, locally or in Rochester City.
Day 33: Read John 8:1-11.
Memorize a verse that is meaningful to you.
Day 34: Smile at people
today, because your glass is half full!
It’s a great practice, and it can make someone’s day.
[Sunday, March 29]
à This week, try to shop local whenever
possible. Go to the public market or a local bakery, talk to the farmers
who grow the food, buy products made in New York, support local business. One
of the biggest oil impacts on the earth is transportation of food and goods.
Buying local takes out that middle step that is so expensive (financially and
environmentally).
Day 35: Extend small
kindnesses to people today: pay for someone’s coffee, open or hold the door,
give someone your place in line.
Day 36: No sugar day –
where else is there sweetness in your life?
Day 37: Give $20 to a
local non-profit.
Day 38: Pray for peace.
Day 39: Educate yourself
about a different religion. See how it is the same or different from your own.
Day 40: Pray for your
enemies (you probably have new ones by now) then decide which of these
exercises you’ll keep for good.
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