GET IT ALL

Dogs, cats, gerbils, snakes, birds, fish: there are all sorts of pets. If you have a pet, you must have a home that will accept the pet. On the other hand, what kinds of pets are you willing to live with? If you are allergic to dogs or cats, this information should be put on your "can't live with list". If you are afraid of dogs, you don't want to live with one; put dogs on your "can't live with" list.

You may love pets, even if you don't have your own. If you like having a dog or cat in the house, put this information on your "would like to have" list. One benefit of sharing housing is having pets around even when having your own is not feasible.

Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Contributors:  Annamarie Pluhar

Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

After a long discussion, it sometimes happens that the proposal becomes modified without any formal decision. The Facilitator needs to recognize this and take time to reformulate the proposal with the new information, modifications, or deletions. Then the proposal is presented to the group so that everyone can be clear about what is being considered. Again, this might be done by the Facilitator, the Note-taker, or anyone else.

Though internet access and cell phone coverage in urban areas has become commonplace, there are rural locations where internet and cell coverage are not available. If internet and cell phone coverage are essential to you, make sure they are on your list. The same goes for cable tv as well.

Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Contributors:  Annamarie Pluhar

Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Do you have a vehicle? Are you planning on getting one in the future? If you have a vehicle what kind of parking do you require? Off-street? Garage?

Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Contributors:  Annamarie Pluhar

Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Happiness: it’s what we all want. And contrary to the messages advertisers want us to believe, we cannot buy it. So how do we find happiness?

We can start by looking at the way society is currently structured. Do our systems help all of us meet our human needs? Do they foster our sense of compassion? Is everyone treated fairly and justly? Are there widely established mechanisms for building relationships of trust?

We can also look at our view of humankind. Do we hold a positive understanding of who we are and what we are here to do?

Metta Center’s short video “A New Story of Us” answers these questions, highlighting a path to the happiness and peace we’re all seeking.

We Are All Contributors

How can you contribute to creating a happier, more peaceful society? In what ways might you be able to share the new story of us? To get some ideas, explore the key topics touched upon in the video:

• Restorative Justice
• Unarmed Peacekeeping
• New Story
• Roadmap

Where to Go From Here

Ready to take concrete action? Here are a few things you can do right away:

• Spread the word about “A New Story of Us”: share the video link with others
• Learn more: guide yourself through our Education section of the site 
• Stay inspired and informed: sign up for the Metta Center's bi-weekly newsletter, and get the latest nonviolence news with our Peace Paradigm Radio show

Sources: Metta Center: What is a Road-map

Contributors: Metta Center

Recommended Books: Metta Center: What is a Road-map