I have been inspired a great deal by this book, and the clarion call the author makes for a lifestyle that supports the Earth Charter, personal authenticity, and a life-enriching economy (versus the extractive and exploitative economy). It struck a discordant note with my goal of doing "Less" in 2011, but on the other hand it brought up a new question for me: what if I declared my independence from corporations? Could I even live without supporting corporate power in some way? How can I meet my family's needs in life-sustaining ways? I have more to say about this book, but for now here is one quote:
A true home is inhabited by souls who live, breathe, eat, think, create, play, get sick, heal, and get dirty. It will wither in an antiseptic condition. A true home pulses with non-human life - vegetable patches, yeast, backyard hens, blueberry bushes, culturing yogurt, fermenting wine, brewing beer, milk goats, cats, dogs, houseplants, kids' science projects, pet snakes and strawberry patches. A living system cannot respect the hours on the clock and requires the involvement of all inhabitants in order to thrive.
Read this book. There were moments of "Yes!" and then there were "Nehs". I'll have to go back and revisit it.
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