Living Simple

                                       Living Simple

Prior to my time here at Solheimar, I have always been curious of what it means to live simple. I still do not know all that it entails, but I do know I am living simpler than I can ever remember. At home in the United States, I feel like there is a lot of expectations for people to always be busy. To work long hours most days of the week and rely heavily on technology to speed up productivity. There are so many due dates in the states. I have seen a direct correlation between our rapid pace of living to the health of people both physically and mentally. I have also seen how our fast pace has influenced the degradation of our ecosystems and social interactions. We are too concerned about profits and egos rather than looking at the “bigger picture.” The stresses of many people to get a good job and support themselves and their family is too common within the United States. These stresses are not always as necessary as we can sometimes portray them to be.

Solheimar has taught me that we do not need to live with much stress to be productive and live comfortably. With a population of around 100 people, Solheimar is a close-knit community. Being in such a defined community has given me a first hand experience of its positive outcomes. Because the people at Solheimar work together within the community they live a more simple life at a less rapid pace. As a result, they are healthier physically and mentally, work on preserving the local ecosystem, and enhance their social interactions with one another. Since the people here at Solheimar do not live in such a fluttered environment, I believe they are able to step back and make sense of their surroundings more effectively. Most of the members of Solheimar are able to work within the community. Those who are not only commute a short distance to work. This allows a large interaction between people. There are many gatherings here that enable people to interact with one another. These interactions allow everyone to disperse their ideas to others in the community, ultimately making it a better place. For example, when the CELL students arrived here we had many meetings about how we can benefit to this community and also how we can benefit from this community. We are able to give our ideas to others and have been able to make a difference. Our 2012 class has already been exposed heavily to many environmental and social situations helping out and learning.

I have noticed the working environments are more laid back and personable here. I notice little impact on the productivity within the jobs and a lot more devotion and creativity. There are few conflicts and little stress, resulting in enhanced communication and natural expression. These jobs play a very important role within the health of this community as well. For example, a lot of the people within the Solheimar community get their vegetables from the greenhouse here. This community is blessed with a great staff of workers, interns, and home people alike that maintain the greenhouse with love and foster great produce. These workers love what they do and give back to the immediate community. All the while decreasing the import of goods, reducing resource consumption, pollution, and spending. In the United States it can be hard to find Local communities producing their own vegetables to support most of its inhabitants. People instead resort to shopping at grocery stores, encouraging pollution, use of resources, spending, and less interaction. I feel like people, at least in the United States, are missing out on the power of a “functional community.” How many people even know their neighbors?

How has living simple at Solheimar effected me?

I am able to take a step back and see what is truly important to me and to help create a healthy community.

Be supportive and caring – Everyone feels like a brother and sister that I should look out for. We support each other allowing there to be less tension and healthier relationships and foster thinking and creativity.

Promote sustainability – Rely less on imports and support local produce and manufacturing, promote environmental stewardship, deal with waste responsibly, and educate others.

Eat Healthier – I am able to take my time cooking food that is healthy and delicious! There is no need to rush to get food that may be unhealthy. Instead we take our time to eat good food and interact with one another, ultimately creating a better environment and living healthier.

These are just some of the factors that I feel living simpler has taught me to acknowledge and pursue in this community.

Imagine the possibilities if we could speak to our community members, exchange ideas and care for one another. Imagine if we did not have to be a target of large corporations and organizations to control our daily life. Instead we live peacefully to make our local communities a better place. I have received a 

better grasp on the many possibilities since I have been here at Solheimar.

- Benjamin Palladino