I guess some people would assume that this should be in the section on literature or in random thoughts, but I just felt like communal living was a good home for this random thought about a literary masterpiece, so if blurring of lines bothers you, stop reading now. OK, for those of you who are still with me, that are into communal living, that have read the book, and understand the struggle that the Joad family went through when they were ousted from their farms and headed out to the land of plenty on a vague promise of a better life, to you I say this. The message in this book may seem to be about hardship and struggle and making a new life in a new world, but it's also about something that people into communal living need to hear and have instilled in them. This book is about sticking together during the hard times and struggling together. It's about not leaving a brother or sister behind, and it's about survival of a group over any one individual. I have been into communal living for several years now and I've seen all types of living situations, some good, and some not so good. One element that is often missing is the commitment to one another and the desire to give more than you get. I've been thinking of turning my back on the prospect of communal living recently and living a life of solitude. This book, 'The Grapes of Wrath' came into my hands at just the right moment to inspire me to continue my quest, and while I'm not living communally in body at the moment, to continue to do so in spirit. We are all part of a larger community and the truth is, some of us need help, and others of us are able to provide help. So, to the point of this post...If you've been into communal living and have been thinking about giving it up, read (or re-read) the book. It might just shed some light on your situation, it did for me.
i have read the book and you do bring a very interesting perspective to it ...i agree with you wholeheartedly ..........communal living is so much easier if you can take the me,myself and I factors out of it
This is one of the reasons I am looking for community! If I wanted to be all about me and my ego I would stay in this suburban life with all its comforts and not talk to anyone but those inside my "inner circle". I think, to go into community, you need to have this very attitude. It brings people from the "living just for me" mindset into a bigger picture mindset. It brings us closer to the real meaning of living a purposeful life. Consumerist America is all about taking the easy way out or doing what is best for me. I am hoping to find a community that embodies the spirit of living for others and working for others and sucking it up because we sure as hell know it's not going to be a cake walk. Now, those of you that have lived in community, do I have an idealistic view? Is it possible to find this or am I being naive since I am new to it?
solareyna, I agree with you wholeheartedly, but I do think you're idalistic. That is to say that you have a desire for something that is beyond the status quo. I think an idealistic view is necessary to create, or join your ideal community, but the problem comes when everyones ideas and idyllic situations differ. If my idea of a perfect community involves everyone getting up before dawn to start the daily chores, and someone that's never lived on a working farms idea of a perfect community involves a manufacturing system where everyone can work 30-40 hours per week at their leisure...there is a big disconnect. The trick is finding the situation in which most, if not all have the same values as you. For me, community includes: Organic farming, humane treatment of the farm animals, alternative earth friendly buildings, alternative energy sources, and most importantly other people that value these things too. One thing that I've found in my quest for community is that what seems simple on the surface, can turn complicated quickly. This is one of the reasons I was thinking of just giving up. Everyone has their own idea of how all of these things work and sorting out the differences can be a nightmare. For some people Organic farming might mean prohibiting the use of farm equipment like tractors, or humane treatment of farm animals might mean a vegetarian community that does not consume the meat, but uses the draft animals for labor. Then it might come down to an argument over how long a break the animals should get between plowing fields. I hope it happens easily for you where it's been a struggle for me. I had to have a heavy dose of realism with my idealism, but after about five years, I think I've finally decided exactly what I want. Don't worry, my idealism is as healthy as ever, but so is my capacity to accept that not everyone will want exactly what I want, and that's OK as long as we can rely on, and build upon one anothers strengths, and refrain from picking apart one anothers weaknesses, we'll make it just fine. Peace
Flows the River - I think my desire for something beyond the status quo is the whole bane of my life so far... I am very curious, because I am looking at communities in Missouri and I am assuming you have lived at some? Would you mind if I emailed you and asked you some questions? I would love to get an experienced view to balance my ideals. I definitely agree that heads get in the way of community alot, those that are pro-something usually always have a very dedicated (and typically well-based) set of values for defending their beliefs and do not easily sway. indeed, it is because of this, that so many great strides have already been made on important issues. The key is to keep an open mind and again, to have the mindset that community is for the greater good and not to further an individual's agenda. Thanks for this topic, I love learning new things about community and while I had this fear, I had no basis for it as of yet.
Sure, E-mail away. I'm by no means an expert, but I've seen how things work. If you're looking at Red Earth, Dancing Rabbit and Sandhill, I can offer perspective from people that have been there, but I haven't lived at any of them myself. I'm actually thinking of visiting in the spring when Sandhill does their sourgam harvest.
