Friday, August 6, 2010

The Simplicity of the Amish






~photos from The Amish Cook by Elizabeth Coblentz with Keven Williams~

In the early years of learning about living a simpler life, homesteading, researching about intentional communities and living off-grid, I was re-introduced to the Amish.

For the last ten years I have read quite a bit about their way of life and have grown to admire them for many reasons.

Without relying on the government, it is easier to live a life of faith

With a strong faith to guide them, they have fewer choices

With fewer choices, life is simpler

Surely the Amish must face many challenges and struggles, but if music and art were allowed and they had a community in New England, it is certainly one we would have considered. Their sense of community is amazing and their commitment to peace and practicing forgiveness stand out to me. There is much we can learn from them.

Warm wishes for a wonderful weekend. I will be back on Monday sharing lots for a Handmade Holiday.
~Tonya

Warm wishes, Tonya

18 comments:

  1. I recently reviewed a book about Hutterites and through out thought to myself "I could move to a Hutterite community." Oh the simple things :)

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  2. So well said. I am so in love with the Amish and their way of life. When I lived on a self sufficient farm in PA, I was in the center of the Amish community there. It was so wonderful. I could have stayed there forever.

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  3. I <3 and adore amish country! we are so lucky to live very close by an amish village!
    great post-- wise words to consider!
    http://bendingbirches2010.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-am-thankful-for.html

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  4. The Amish community is amazing, thank you for the book link Tonya, it looks like something I need to put on my wish list:)
    xo
    Linda

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  5. I have many books about the Amish on my shelves as well! I agree with all your thoughts, Tonya. They are definitely inspiring to me.

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  6. I've just been thinking about this peaceful community myself recently, thank you for this post . Looking forward to your next post on handmade holidays...I find your posts very inspiring & always relevant!

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  7. The Amish way of life has always intrigued me. Their faith is to be admired and I think we all would be so much better off if only we lived a simpler more peaceful life. If only they were as forgiving of their own as they are of outsiders.

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  8. You have an inspiring blog. I live in Singapore and can feel a connection with your blog.

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  9. It is so true with fewer choices life is simpler. That used to sound so austere to me, but now it's just comforting. I really love learning about the Shaker community. I think there are only six left unfortunately. Thanks for sharing! I can't wait until Monday! I finally cast on for a gaiter I am making. The rhythm and the yarn felt so good! Peace, Angela

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  10. Oh yes, there is just so much to be admired. A simple life, it is a gift we can give to ourselves and our families.
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend Tonya!
    With love, Renee

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  11. I totally agree with you. I have watched several movies about the Amish and have so admired how their children behave, their faith is strong and amazingly can live off the land without Walmart, Food Lion and a gazillion other stores around to survive.

    If you get a chance to watch this movie "Saving Sarah Cain" it is really a good one about the Amish but my favorite has Patty Duke in it and she plays an Amish woman and it is about forgiveness. That one brings me to tears (its older) and I am so humbled at their ability to honor God and forgive, really forgive. God bless. Cathy

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  12. They do have a beautifully simple life.

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  13. Yes the Amish, I very much respect and honor their way of life. Last year I took the kids on a camping trip to Lanesbro MN where there is a big Amish community there. We got to speak to a lot of the women there. One in particular was very interesting--- she was older with a 2 year old running around, we saw them farming and talking on the porch as they hung up laundry. They had huge gardens with chickens everywhere. Another women I spoke to was telling us how she starts her day at sunrise and bakes. Bakes until noon for their market (where they sell their goods and such) and for their farmimg husbands and boy children. One family did admit to using a disel powered washing maschine. We also saw a lot of handicapped children. Not sure if it was from having children so late in life or the *rumor* that they are *inbred*, Perhaps it's just what God wanted for them. Anyhoo, yes, they are amazing hardworking God fearing peacefilled people!

    ~Samantha

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  14. I too enjoy studying the Amish and watching them as they stand apart from the world around them. We often go to Lancaster, Pa and enjoy the quieter pace that seems to be the norm in that area.

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  15. I'm so glad you posted this! So many of are learning the old ways, homesteading, handcrafting...ways of a simpler life. It's wonderful that you've mentioned the Amish as well as their ways of forgiveness. They are an amazing community. Wouldn't it be nice if there were more of these types of communities around? I so wish!

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  16. Beautiful, yes- there is so much we can learn from them!

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  17. I live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, "amish country". I do so enjoy observing their way of life. I am continually inspired.

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  18. I too feel a kinship with the Amish. I respect them in many ways.

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