Return on Sustainability - "Show me the Cash"

א Aleph Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

"Show me the CASH" is a saying the fits with the subject of Sustainability. Businesses are asking the question - Is there a Return on Sustainability?" Homes need to ask the same question. Earlier in this blog I addressed the question of "Who can find Sustainability?" Now I want to expand on the question.

My Mother's birthday in June always bring a crowd to my house. Everyone wants to celebrate "Mom, Grandma, Grams" birthday. At large events I try to minimize the work. Paper plates goes a long ways on helping with clean up. My daugher-in-law was first to press the issue of recycling. She wanted to use her plate for the dessert as well. Next my oldest son comes out on the patio to find me carrying his paper plate. Do you compose the paper plates Mom?

As you can tell the issues of Recyling and Sutainability are common topics at our home. The balancing act is a challenge. The dish washer gets filled at all events. Therefore it would take 2 loads to run all of the dirty dishes. My garden is small by most gardener's standards. To compost would take 2 to 3 composters. Now why would I say that? Because when you start to look into composting you learn that at least 2 are really needed to continually handle the items that need compost -One for the brewing and one for the new items and Three even would be even better.

Business as I said face the same issues. How much will it cost to really enlarge the recycling and Sustainability items? - The old "Cash Savings Issue". I faced it that day on a small scale. Run an extra partial load of dishes (costs of electricity and water) or throw the paper plates in the garbage (gardbe bill costs and evnvironment costs). I do not have a third option of using someone else's composter (costs savings questionable).

Everyone faces these issues and answers them differently. I used paper plates.

Judy


Now which way saves the most? That is the same questio

In Search of the Sustainable Life

א Aleph Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a Sustainable Life? That is the question. A Sustainable Life has busy times and it has quiet times. It really is the meaning of life. It contains time for all things. My research has shown that there are seven dimensions, sections or areas of our lives that make up the Sustainable Life. The verses add meaning to those seven areas.

I look at those seven areas like a piano chord. If you play them all at once, they only make a loud noise. When you play only two or three together at one time and then another two or three at a time music starts to develop.

It is easy in this world of 24/7 to play all the notes of the chord at once and only get noise. To play music their has to be silence in some areas of our lives, sometimes silence in all areas of our lives. I believe this is the "key" to bring music to our lives out of discord.

Here's to the Search of the Sustainable Life!

Judy

Rewards

א Aleph Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31: 10

I am a firm believer in rewards. We all need the boost and encouragement. A reward system is often in place in businesses. The question is - Why not have a reward system in the home?

I thought it would be good to continue the verse combination approach. So here goes ---

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Obviously worth a lot and needs rewarded.

How and When? The Answer -

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Could this be scheduled times for appreciation? The first thought is Mother's Day. Yes, but I feel this goes beyond. I feel this can included everyone praising everyone in the family. How about all of the holidays. We could start letting everyone we love know how much we appreciate what has been since the last holiday. Then there are those times like graduations, anniversaries, birthdays that offer the perfect moment to schedule a "praise or reward" time.

In the farming era at the end of each harvest there was celebration. The harvest was stored, sold (cash received, bills paid, saving instituted for the next years crop) and now it was time to celebrate. Seasonal holidays still are important. It would be good to put money into the equation and celebrate the new job, the raise, the promotion or degree earned, the good investment.

When the home has a good dose of celebration, praise and reward, the people in that family will be encouraged to handle the harder times in life. This last week there has been a full moon, Passover and Easter. A few great opportunities to enjoy the family time for praise and rewards.

When is the next reward, recognition or praise time for your family?

Judy

Combining Verses for Answers

א Aleph Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31: 10

One method I enjoy when applying the song to my life is to combine verses. Lets say I was concerned about the economy. These verses would help me:

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet [double].

By doing this I have asked the question -

How can I be the prepared [virtuous/valor/wise/warrior] women?

The answer is not being afraid and move into action to see the family is prepared with double or multiple of everything for the snow [economic downturn].

Now I have an answer on how to handle this economic downturn!

Judy