Homeschool families are typically well-read and aware that there is much more to the world than just themselves. Spiritual Literacy Month is a time to reflect on that and challenge ourselves and our children to reach further, inquire more, and celebrate our spiritual connections to each other and our world, and to learn the different ways that people around the world do that. It is cultural exploration, spiritual discovery, and soul-searching. Reading books about different forms of spirituality and religion is an educational pursuit and provides deeper understanding of others. It helps us to see how we are all connected. And, in our differences, there is a beauty that can be celebrated. Spiritual literacy gives us a multitude of perspectives which can be enlightening and helpful in learning how to deal with so many of life's challenges and circumstances. It can give us comfort, peace, and a deeper sense of self and purpose. It grants us wisdom and a reminder that life is precious and sacred. Medieval Catholic monks referred to spiritual literacy as "reading the book of the world." Muslims describe everything that happens in us and around us as "a letter to be read." Native Americans believe that signs of a higher spirit can be seen all around us. And, even if you are not a spiritual person, it is an interesting endeavor to learn about why people believe what they do. Spiritual Literacy Month is a time to "promote respect for and among the world's religions and spiritual traditions." William Blake wrote, To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower To hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour." Here are some books and authors that you can read to expand your learning of spirituality and religion. 1. Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life, Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat 2. The Art of Happiness, The Dalai Lama 3. Tao Te Ching, Lao Tze 4. Bhagavad Gita 5. The Bible 6. The Koran 7. The Torah 8. Confucius 9. Deepak Chopra 10. The Celestine Prophecy 11. The Secret 12. The Alchemist 13. A New Earth 14. The Road Less Traveled 15. The Four Agreements 16. Siddhartha 17. The Purpose Driven Life 18. The Power of Now 19. Peace Is Every Step 20. Wherever You Go, There You Are 21. Books about ancient mythology: Greek, Roman, Native American, etc 22. Books about ancient civilizations: Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, Egyptians, etc 23. Shinto There are so many more, but this is a list that will get you started on your journey. Enjoy!
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Tired of giving "stuff" for Christmas? Well, experiencing the world outside our doors is a common element in the homeschooling lifestyle. So, the holidays are perfect times to give gifts that will support that lifestyle. In 2013, the LA Times reported that the average American home held over 300,000 items, and there were over 50,000 storage facilities nationwide. Our grandparents had an average of nine outfits. The average American child has over 200 toys but only plays with an average of 12 of them per day. The United States only claims 3% of the world's children, yet those children possess over 40% of the world's toys. What's worse, while we own all this stuff, over 50% of us report being overwhelmed by it. We aren't as happy as were were 50 years ago. And, research shows that while we are less happy with our stuff over time, we are more happy over time with experiences. Our experiences are a bigger part of who we are than our stuff is. Shared family experiences lead to:
So with that, here is a list of ways to give experiences for the holidays: 1. Escape room challenges 2. Museum memberships 3. Science center memberships 4. Orchestra season tickets 5. Theater season tickets 6. Sports team tickets 7. Camping trip 8. A family hobby like bowling 9. Enormous puzzles the family can work on together 10. Local attraction season passes 11. Family day trips 12. Art classes 13. Music classes 14. Sports activity classes 15. Summer camps 16. Workshops 17. Recreational activities like skating or rock climbing 18. Movie tickets 19. Show or concert tickets 20. Magazine subscriptions 21. Learning program kit subscriptions 22. A Family adventure like canoeing or white water rafting 23. Gardening supplies 24. Craft supplies 25. STEM supplies like a 3D printer 26. Skill tools like a sewing machine 27. Zoo membership 28. Aquarium membership 29. Family vacation 30. Outdoor activity supplies like fishing poles or skis |
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