Downsizing is a common thread for many families. Besides emergency downsizing due to storms, fire or earthquake disasters, economic necessity often causes families to downsize their living arrangements. Life phases, too, will determine decisions leading to downsizing. Aging requires less space, less housework, and the desire for more freedom from things.
The Tiny House Movement is a symbol of downsizing. Monthly living expense is reduced. Independence is increased. Appreciation of lesser complexity is a benefit of the Tiny House. The challenge of living tiny forces the individual in each of us to focus more on what is important in life.
Community is one. Family relations is another. Independence on one hand and interdependence on community is a surprise realization.
Fresh out of college, I was anxious to have a place to live that was simple and easy to take care of. And small enough to furnish cheaply. Of more importance were the amenities: ease of commute, parking, ready connection with neighbors, and close to church and town shopping. Social interaction in my new town and surroundings was the aim then. I needed it to feel rooted. I needed to feel 'place' as home.
Later life phases required neighborhood for family life, nearness of schools, shopping, church and friends. Commuting needs, too, were high on the requirement list. And doctors, hospitals and other public institutions. Libraries were a constant 'need' for us.
As the family grew we added on to the house, and had larger dreams. But then a divorce and division into two households. Later still, when the kids were out of college, space was not the need. Less of it, and ease of maintenance was. And fewer things to take the mind off of important things.
Community life became a more important element in life. Involvement in relationships, organizations, purpose and values expanded to fill interests and cravings for belonging.
Think about that. Take a moment to realize how life changes throughout its many phases. Focus on what is the central need in each of those phases. Space is merely a functional concern. Things as well. It is the relationships and connections that become much more important.
And community. Belonging to something larger than self and family. Community grows in importance in each of our lives. Community becomes the well from which we draw sustenance, and into which we pour our gifts to enrich the community.
That community is ours to have and to hold. And to maintain and nurture. So it will nurture us in return. All of that revolves around the simpler things. And we rejoice in it.
October 16, 2019
No comments:
Post a Comment