A Community of Kindred Spirits
When we took Eivin in for his first well baby check-up post-birth, our magnificent pediatrician (who writes us "prescriptions" for books and fermented foods) asked us about religion. We told her we don't identify with any religion in particular and don't feel organized religion is right for us. She responded by saying she believes it is imperative for children to have a solidified view of their family values and beliefs in order to have a sense of order in the world. Having grown up in a Catholic family in Catholic schools, I understood this as I felt a sense of security in knowing I was surrounded by people whom I shared something with. In this way, I was never alone in the world and knew I had somewhere to turn when times got rough.
Dr. Seiler went on to suggest that we create a family "bible" including photos and descriptions of pastimes we share together depicting what we collectively value. This sparked some discussion between Zac and I on our way home. The sense of belonging and community which has arisen throughout our earthship build thus far is the connection we feel we had been lacking prior to changing our lifestyle. Additionally, the values of conservation, respect for others and the natural world around us are shared with our children day in and day out due to our move to live a drastically more sustainable life.
We decided the components to our family "bible" were in place and it would simply be a matter of putting it down on paper for Elliot and Eivin so they could reference it as they grew. If anyone questions them about their lack of "religion" as they age, we want them to be able to provide a meaningful answer about how we as a family derive meaning in our day-to-day life despite our lack of organized religion.
Every week since we began our earthship journey, we've attended our version of church or mass in that we spend time pouring our heart and soul into something we believe at our very core. Friends, family, new volunteers and veteran volunteers turned close friends show up to help us work toward our goal of building an earthship.
This past weekend at our first formal earthship workshop of 2015, we were deeply moved by the turnout and received our spiritual fill. One thing stands out about the people we've met on our journey is we recognize each of these people as a kindred spirit. When conversation begins with someone who comes out to a workshop or to volunteer, the small talk is bypassed and we enter into meaningful conversation with ease. This speaks volumes. These are our people. We get them and they get us.
By the end of the first workshop day, an undeniable bond had been formed and was palpable. We capped off the day around a bonfire with many of the participants camping out for the night. The conversation spilled out effortlessly as though we had known one another for many years. This sense of community is vital to our family. We want Elliot and Eivin to know that they aren't alone in the world and are proud to be creating an environment where our guys can feel apart of something larger than themselves.
My heart was overflowing when Elliot moved around our land calling out greetings to people by name as they worked on the earthship. He was blissful and in his element. The photos from this past weekend and weekends to come will surely enter our family "bible" so that our boys are able to identify the congregation they belong to. Additionally, the pride, determination and selflessness that each person who has worked on our house has shown is utterly moving. We've learned so much from everyone who has come out and are inspired to give back every chance we get. This is another element that will be integrated into our "bible" as we want our boys to be interconnected; not compartmentalized from their fellow humans.
In our culture, we tend to live in self-contained bubbles and shudder at the thought of having to share anything with anyone. We all strive to be independent yet I believe this is at the demise of the human race. We aren't meant to be separate from our fellow man. I believe we are meant to run with a "pack." It isn't difficult to identify people with this open mindset as they live out their lives very differently from the rest and give selflessly without effort. I admit that I have a selfish streak and have been challenged and changed by each of the people we've come in contact with on our earthship journey.
I'm electrified with the knowledge that our family has finally identified our people and that our boys will grow up in a world without walls; where we live interconnected with the people and the land surrounding us.
I would be remiss if I didn't send out a heartfelt thank you to all of the people who came out this past weekend and who have come out in the past. You have helped us build our dream home and in the process have been a constant source of inspiration; ultimately changing the course of our lives.
EARTHSHIP PROGRESS UPDATE:
Last year, we made it through 5 of 9 courses (layers) of tires in our tire foundation. After our first big weekend working on our home in 2015, we are now WELL INTO OUR 7TH COURSE OF TIRES!!! After this past workshop weekend, we were able to complete nearly 2 full courses of tires and everything was done the right way without need to fix anything after the fact! This leaves us with only 2(ish) more courses of tires until our tire wall is COMPLETE! And so, we now feel comfortable sharing our goal publicly to complete the tire wall portion of our home by June 1, 2015. Once the tire wall is completed, we can move on to some of the more conventional building aspects of our home such as pouring the concrete slab, framing the front portion of the house and adding in windows, and putting on the roof.
We feel our goal is well within our reach and after breaking it down by day, we only need to pound 9 tires a day for the rest of the month to complete the wall in time for our June 1st deadline. If you'd like to gain some tire pounding experience, please get in contact soon as our tire pounding days are numbered! We'd love to have you out to get your hands dirty and to continue that sense of community we so crave!!! You can email me here to reserve your tire pounding day(s).
Dr. Seiler went on to suggest that we create a family "bible" including photos and descriptions of pastimes we share together depicting what we collectively value. This sparked some discussion between Zac and I on our way home. The sense of belonging and community which has arisen throughout our earthship build thus far is the connection we feel we had been lacking prior to changing our lifestyle. Additionally, the values of conservation, respect for others and the natural world around us are shared with our children day in and day out due to our move to live a drastically more sustainable life.
We decided the components to our family "bible" were in place and it would simply be a matter of putting it down on paper for Elliot and Eivin so they could reference it as they grew. If anyone questions them about their lack of "religion" as they age, we want them to be able to provide a meaningful answer about how we as a family derive meaning in our day-to-day life despite our lack of organized religion.
Every week since we began our earthship journey, we've attended our version of church or mass in that we spend time pouring our heart and soul into something we believe at our very core. Friends, family, new volunteers and veteran volunteers turned close friends show up to help us work toward our goal of building an earthship.
This past weekend at our first formal earthship workshop of 2015, we were deeply moved by the turnout and received our spiritual fill. One thing stands out about the people we've met on our journey is we recognize each of these people as a kindred spirit. When conversation begins with someone who comes out to a workshop or to volunteer, the small talk is bypassed and we enter into meaningful conversation with ease. This speaks volumes. These are our people. We get them and they get us.
By the end of the first workshop day, an undeniable bond had been formed and was palpable. We capped off the day around a bonfire with many of the participants camping out for the night. The conversation spilled out effortlessly as though we had known one another for many years. This sense of community is vital to our family. We want Elliot and Eivin to know that they aren't alone in the world and are proud to be creating an environment where our guys can feel apart of something larger than themselves.
My heart was overflowing when Elliot moved around our land calling out greetings to people by name as they worked on the earthship. He was blissful and in his element. The photos from this past weekend and weekends to come will surely enter our family "bible" so that our boys are able to identify the congregation they belong to. Additionally, the pride, determination and selflessness that each person who has worked on our house has shown is utterly moving. We've learned so much from everyone who has come out and are inspired to give back every chance we get. This is another element that will be integrated into our "bible" as we want our boys to be interconnected; not compartmentalized from their fellow humans.
In our culture, we tend to live in self-contained bubbles and shudder at the thought of having to share anything with anyone. We all strive to be independent yet I believe this is at the demise of the human race. We aren't meant to be separate from our fellow man. I believe we are meant to run with a "pack." It isn't difficult to identify people with this open mindset as they live out their lives very differently from the rest and give selflessly without effort. I admit that I have a selfish streak and have been challenged and changed by each of the people we've come in contact with on our earthship journey.
I'm electrified with the knowledge that our family has finally identified our people and that our boys will grow up in a world without walls; where we live interconnected with the people and the land surrounding us.
I would be remiss if I didn't send out a heartfelt thank you to all of the people who came out this past weekend and who have come out in the past. You have helped us build our dream home and in the process have been a constant source of inspiration; ultimately changing the course of our lives.
EARTHSHIP PROGRESS UPDATE:
Last year, we made it through 5 of 9 courses (layers) of tires in our tire foundation. After our first big weekend working on our home in 2015, we are now WELL INTO OUR 7TH COURSE OF TIRES!!! After this past workshop weekend, we were able to complete nearly 2 full courses of tires and everything was done the right way without need to fix anything after the fact! This leaves us with only 2(ish) more courses of tires until our tire wall is COMPLETE! And so, we now feel comfortable sharing our goal publicly to complete the tire wall portion of our home by June 1, 2015. Once the tire wall is completed, we can move on to some of the more conventional building aspects of our home such as pouring the concrete slab, framing the front portion of the house and adding in windows, and putting on the roof.
We feel our goal is well within our reach and after breaking it down by day, we only need to pound 9 tires a day for the rest of the month to complete the wall in time for our June 1st deadline. If you'd like to gain some tire pounding experience, please get in contact soon as our tire pounding days are numbered! We'd love to have you out to get your hands dirty and to continue that sense of community we so crave!!! You can email me here to reserve your tire pounding day(s).
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| Earthship Workshop Progress Day #1 |
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| Earthship Campground! |
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| Earthship Workshop Progress End of Day #2 |
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| 7 Courses!!! |
So glad we could make it out last weekend to camp and work on the tire wall and make so many amazing new friends. Kind of bizarre how easy it is to feel so comfortable around people who share the same values. We are proud to be part of "your people"! lol
ReplyDeleteMorgan and Wendy
We feel incredibly fortunate to have you guys in our lives!!!
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