In this short animation from The Center for a New American Dream, psychologist Tim Kasser discusses how America’s culture of consumerism undermines our well-being. When people buy into the ever-present marketing messages that “the good life” is “the goods life,” they not only use up Earth’s limited resources, but they are less happy and less inclined toward helping others.

Thanks Hollister for sending along a great link recommending several good books for the new year. The website, Simple Organic – Green Living for Real Families, offers a list of 12 worthy books – a little something for everyone from tips for raising a baby in an eco-friendly way, to backyard gardening, to keeping a house clean with green cleansers, to theological musings on creation care. Be sure to check out “12 Green Living Books For Your 2012 Reading List.” … Another book on my list is from the National Council of Churches, God’s Earth is Sacred – Essays on Eco-Justice.

“We spend most of our time and energy in a kind of horizontal thinking. We move along the surface of things…

“There is joy to be found in the most minuscule of choice, in the pockets of slowness concealed inside each ordinary day …

In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourself and be still. Wait upon God, and feel her good presence: this will carry you evenly through your day’s business. – William Penn

The holiday season in December is rich with activity and traditions. Most of us need to wrestle with the abundance — making choices to keep in balance and seeking the original intent of the holidays in order to find and feel meaning.