World-Wide Simplicity
To begin, I think it would be best if I talked about the sense of simple living. What we all have in common is just that; the ability to live simply. The five communities discussed in this essay know all too well how to do this. Also, they have the innate ability to source and replant the land. Living in “simplicity” comes to mind as we all know how to do it; we just need to discover the meaning of the word.
See, there has to be an understanding of who we are. The understanding of community, and togetherness all intertwined into something bigger than ourselves. We all have a lot to be thankful for. Perhaps, the happiest of us all are the ones who really and truly know this. As the old adage reminds me; “we are stronger in numbers.” And, this is what makes culture, tradition, and community so important. It is the belief that if we can somehow come together in numbers, find something we all believe in that represents who we are, and lastly, give us hope for the future, then we are headed in the right direction.
Hopefully, this essay will convince you that community and togetherness outweigh any issue or form of misunderstanding that may be present about living in a simple world.
Let’s begin by discussing the act of preserving. I would like to start with the people of the Congo Basin, who protect, preserve and give back by maintaining the land for future use. At GoConsciousEarth, there is a vision and the people here believe in protecting the animals, and land rights because they know the importance of having involvement within the community. Also, the people of the Congo Basin protect their rainforest and have an initiative to provide clean water and education that is sustainable for years to come. But, that’s just part of their mission. Involvement is key here. And, we are invited! The initiatives of groups and people who want to help conserve and protect are already in action helping to cultivate and enact ways for the people of the Congo Basin to have resources and sustainable access to just some of the things I and you may take for granted.
However, what’s important is the people of the Congo have fishing, and farming which are the providers of their communities. This is very important for their region of the world because farming and fishing are great ways to provide for people without all the harm to animals. In the U.S., this is something that we could learn from, too. The lifestyles of the people of the Congo Basin could really be the recipe for success for lots of people unaware of its benefits. It’s almost like saving ourselves from ourselves. Money could be saved and we could transform our lives into a more simplistic way of living.
Kudos to the Congo community for sharing their beliefs and believing in themselves. And, the possibilities are endless as we move to the next community of people living in Salinas de Guaranda. In this region, we have the focus of value on community and solidarity which moves to define who the people of this region are. It’s really a town where people can come and visit and understand the customs and beliefs which are monumental in defining the locals here. The businesses here thrive off of exporting goods to other regions.
What is worth noting about sustainable living off one’s own land is the pride and self-esteem made evident by the market which sustains itself. This is what the simple life offers to all of us who can appreciate what it really means. The people of Salinas de Guaranda have their own businesses, products and markets which give their region importance and notoriety. Therefore, I ask. Just what type of a community is Salinas
de Guaranda? It just might be worthy of say this place is the epitome of togetherness and community involvement. Their motto, “Where people come before money, the poor come before the rich, the weak before the strong, the sick before the healthy, and the small before the big,” are such great words to live by.
All I can say is, if only my country had the sense to live by this. Oh, how simple a world we would live in then. We could potentially be part of something where class and race wouldn’t matter anymore. Interestingly enough, through another community called the Provision- in Romania; I learned a few things for sure. On their blog, Best Wishes for 2016, I learned the importance of community and giving as a whole. I understand their need for volunteer work, but also to help and lend a hand to students and the hosting of guests. I think this is a perfect example of giving back.
In the Provision, we learn through nature, food, self and community, that we can uplift one another and become a more self-sufficient people. I commend those who help run the Provision (which is a farm based on non-violent and AgroEcology means of living.) But why you may ask? It is because this is how we should learn to live. This is the “true” means to simple living. I urge myself and you to remember how fruitful it is to learn the ways of the “peasant lifestyle.” This undoubtedly means a lifestyle without all the fame and glory we demand here in the states. They teach hard work and togetherness at Provision. Something we all could learn to live intentionally off of.
Another community worthy of mentioning is Bija Vidyapeeth or Earth University. It is located in Navdanya’s learning center located at the Navdanya Biodiversity Conservation Farm in Doon Valley, Uttarakhand. What is unique about this place is nature is the teacher and the healer. Inspiration is drawn from learning about nature and the forest. It’s important we know this so we can always remember where our inspiration and healing comes from.
Also, it’s worth noting just how Earth University happens to be a very creative place. Mainly, because it’s a sanctuary for birds, butterflies, insects and soil microorganisms. Talk about giving back. Here, farmers and other people alike join together to grow crops and learn thru biodiversity where nature is the teacher. There is so much to learn at a place like Earth University; everything from community togetherness, women diversity and earth management. This should be the purpose of teaching people alike about what matters in a community like setting such as this; where the diversity in the ecosystem and nature, considering the benefits of preserving our land and its inhabitants because we care about them, comes first. And, nothing says it better than the Friends of Spannocchia.
Located in the heart of wine country better known as Tuscany; friends and family alike can take to the land and help grow and sustain it. Conserving the land and helping to preserve the way of life is what is important here. And, this is what the epitome of the word “community” is all about. Spannocchia is a place of farming and community activities alike, some of which include touring and hiking. Talk about living the simple life in simplicity! You can taste the wines, make pastries and help feed the farm animals.
All I can say is community, community, community.
All of the communities discussed in this essay have one thing in common. It is togetherness by which they live and preserve their way of life. It is a simple life indeed, based and predicated on living intentionally by American author and activist Helen Keller’s famous words. “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.
I believe if we can do what these communities have shown us that work for them; which is to live intentionally, creatively and outside the mainstream. Then, we can say we are living the simple life in simplicity, too.
Simple Living In A Complex Age 