UU How-Tos

Helpful hints for living by your own lights

Some thoughts on the end of 2016

CZ

I have been thinking a lot about 2016. It is almost over. This article talks about the lessons we have learned to carry with us into 2017. “2016 was a bad year for too many people around the world: We can’t just wait, commiserate, post rueful memes, and hope that the next year will be better. We all have to go out and make it so.

2017 is coming, whether we want it to or not. Will it be better?

That’s up to us.”

Here is to a new year where we live up to our own expectations and make change. 

Namaste, 

Cricket 

Activities for Day 7

CZ

The Seventh Principle is Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part or We care for Earth’s lifeboat.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family

Identify ways your family can be more green. Start a compost, recycle, bike more? As a family,choose one and commit!

Clean up trash at a park or in your neighborhood.

As an Individual

Advocate that your workplace, or your school, be more eco-friendly. Ask for recycle bins and reuse as much as possible.

Volunteer at a local animal shelter.

Food

Shop your local farmer’s market for local and organic fruits and veggies.

If you aren’t already vegetarian or vegan, plan to make a vegetarian or vegan meal.

Gifts

As the saying goes, “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.” Today, recycle something from your house that would have been trash, and create a gift with it. Turn it into a work of art, or a handy item.

Activities for Day 6

CZ

The sixth principle is The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all or Build a fair and peaceful world.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family

Find an organization that allows families to volunteer together, then get involved! Volunteer today, or make a plan to volunteer regularly.

Write letters to refugees from Syria to let them know that they are welcome and loved in our country.

As an Individual

What are you passionate about? Whatever it is, find out how you can help, and get involved! Volunteer today, or make a plan to volunteer regularly.

Get involved with local groups.

Food

Donate food to your local food pantry.

Offer to cook for the local mission.

Gifts

Who do you want to give a gift to? What is that person passionate about? Donate money on that person’s behalf to an organization they care about

Activities for Day 5

CZ

The fifth principle is The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large or All people need a voice.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family

Could your household be running smoother? Why don’t you call a family meeting and ask the kids for their input. Not only will you be giving your children a voice, but you may learn something you never knew, and gain some insight into your children.

Talk about government and how it runs.

As an Individual

Sometimes, people need us to help them get their voices heard. Get involved with an organization that advocates for a subpopulation, or stand up for someone on the street or on the playground.

Write letters or make phone calls to members of congress.

Food

Plan a special meal with family or friends, hold a vote on what you’ll eat. Majority wins!

Gifts

Offer your shoulder and your ear to anyone who needs someone to talk to. Try hard to not be defensive, dismissive, or offer up “quick fixes.” Sure, it may be a hard to hear about someone else’s heartache, but you’ll be giving someone comradery and compassion—two gifts that are priceless.

Activities for Day Four

CZ

The fourth principle is A free and responsible search for truth and meaning or We search for what is true.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family

Have a discussion about religion. What do your children believe? Parents, be aware that children,up until the age of 12, tend to take on the beliefs of their parents. For a lively discussion about religion you may want to let your children speak first, and play devil’s advocate.

Unitarian Universalism is a very long name, and not many people know much about it. Create an elevator, or play ground, speech so you can tell people what it means to be a UU in one minute or less.

Learn some history or do a science experiment together.

As an Individual

Talk with a friend about their beliefs. How are they different than yours? Keep an open mind; who knows, you may find something that rings true for you!

Enjoy coloring some religious symbols like this one found here.

Listen to a podcast from The Pamphlet so you can learn more about UU history.

Food

Different religions have different traditions when it comes to food and the celebration of holidays.Choose one religion and explore their winter holiday through their food. For example, you may make latkes in honor of Chanukah. Just don’t forget to learn about Chanukah along the way!

Activities for Day 3

CZ

The Third Principle is Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations or We’re free to learn together.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family
Pick up a game no one in your family has ever played before. Learn how to play it together.

Talk about your beliefs with each other and how they have changed and grown through the years.

As an Individual
Attend a lecture, go to the museum, see a play. Then, strike up a conversation with the people around you. If you go to school, offer assistance to a fellow student, and accept assistance as well.

Color some mandalas to practice mindfulness.

Meditate or pray.

Food
As a family, or with a friend, attempt to cook something you never have before. It might work out, or you might be ordering pizza. It doesn’t matter as long as you make the attempt!

 

Activities for Day 2

CZ

The second principle is about Justice, equity and compassion in human relations or Being kind in all we do.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate the day:

As a family
Try to go the whole day without arguing. Focus on putting the wants and needs of your brother/ sister/ mother/ father/ husband/ wife before your own.

Make little gift baskets for the kids or the elderly in your neighborhood. One of our neighbors made our son an Easter basket (also a Halloween and Christmas basket). It made our son, my wife and me feel great. The cost of each basket was probably $5.

Donate Toys or books.

As an individual
Through Send Kids the World you can send postcards to the siblings of seriously ill children. Siblings often don’t understand what is going on and feel left out because of all the attention and cards a sick sibling receives. (Scroll down the web page and look for the link on the left side.)

“Want me to pick something up for you?” If you know someone is overwhelmed – perhaps by a new baby, family health issues, or something else – give them a call when you’re going out to the store. Ask if they’d like you to pick something up. We’ve been the beneficiaries of this random act of kindness, and it’s great.

Food
Offer to buy someone else food.

Pay for the next person in the drive-through.

Go out to eat and tip your server double.

Activities for Day One

CZ

The first principle is  believing the inherent worth and dignity of every person or Each Person is Important.

Here are some activities that can help you celebrate the worth and dignity of everyone.

As an Individual
As the principle states, “Each person is important.” That means you too! Do something special for yourself today.

Food
Gather family or friends and plan a meal where everyone’s favorite food is represented. Spaghetti with a side of jelly beans? Why not, it’s the first night of Chalica!

Gifts
The adult version of this principle states that we believe in “the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” So, what makes the people in your life special? For each person in your circle, write down what you love most about them. Then, give each person their list.

 

So You Want to Wear a Safety Pin | What a Witch

CZ

“Don’t get me wrong, the safety pin is a good idea but if you are going to wear it, you need to know that it is more than an idea. It is a visible, tangible announcement of your commitment to defend the rights and dignity of your fellow human. If you are not willing to follow that announcement up with action, rethink making the announcement.”

So You Want to Wear a Safety Pin


This is a good article to read in these trying times. Knowing that you have a plan will help you answer the call of love. 

Namaste, Cricket