Gerald Iversen, executive director of Alternatives for Simple Living, right, visited the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia as part of his tour of Southeastern states.

Iversen spoke to 30 people from across the diocese on July 23 about ways to incorporate simplicity in  increasingly hectic lives.
“Nurture people, not things,” said Iversen. “Put the emphasis on relationships because stuff will always disappoint.”
Iversen explained that sometimes people confuse the difference between charity and justice. Charity is sharing time and money with those in need. Justice is working to change the circumstances that create the need for charity.
But rather than take drastic steps, Iversen said great change can occur by taking baby steps.
He suggested that instead of drastically curtailing the number of Christmas presents within a family, consider sitting the family down and talking about how much the family spends and what percentage might comfortably be reduced-- 25 percent might be a good start in the first year.
“Among my most treasured gifts was a list from my son of the reasons why he loves me. I framed it and put it on my desk,” he said.
The Iversen family also has a “One for One” rule: for every item that comes into the house, one must go out.
Parents might also propose to grandparents that rather than gifts, they consider purchasing lessons or outings for grandchildren. (This suggestion may be especially appealing in light of recent toy recalls due to hazardous materials such as lead-based paint.) In the same vein, hosts could ask birthday party guests to bring donations for the SPCA rather than gifts.
Alternatives for Simple Living, based in Iowa, is a non-profit organization that equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly. It is best known as the organization that produces the annual campaign “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?”, in conjunction with the Episcopal Office of Stewardship. Visit their website at simpleliving.org to learn more about resources that challenge the consumer society. Explore BMRC resources for simplicity in the column below. //