Intentional Communities

[☼Royce☼]

Do you think that enough people know about IC's? It seems to me everywhere I go and mention IC's noone knows what I'm talking about. When I do explain what an IC is, before I get done they are talking about free love hippy communes. Ug.....it just makes me mad sometimes.

I would like to know your thoughts on what others think when you tell them about your idea of IC or your IC. So everyone, Give me your thoughts......lol.

Blessings,
Royce

[TeeByrd]

...Solved many of the worlds problems trying to think of something to do, but was alone; we need to solve these together.

I think of 'intentional community' as being those of us ready to work together behind meaningful and substancial relations and building together into well rounded and self prolonging communities. I hadn't heard the term 'IC' before coming to this network but do realize in the day to day bustle of securing what may be 'ours' many peoples are left out, especially those without fight or 'catches' into the system.

Personally I would like to think of an IC as a more formal commune that is ever progressive with its free love and little to nothing left waste.

[Leo]

Greetings Royace,

I know what you are saying I have gotten that same feedback when I bring it up as well. So to help them understand what it is I compare it to that of an apartment complex. The concept of these complexes is modeled on what IC's are. Though some IC's take it to different levels these are the base of what I believe and IC is built upon. I hope this helps some.

Leo

[Spirit Wynd]

Usually, they don't know anything about it when I mention it, then I elaborate a bit and try to show them a different way to live, but typically, they can't get past their own individual and personal gains. They shake their heads and say they could never live without this, or that, and wish me luck.

But there are a few who want to learn more so I give them a few sites as a reference and answer questions and tell them I'm on a quest to find and create such a place. Then I can almost see their thoughts as they generate ideas to create their own place within their little fantasy.

I tell them to get a notebook and write all their ideas and do some research on it.
I was supposed to start a project but there's a delay and may not happen, but at Xmas, the family all gave me money and my brother gave a compound bow with hunting arrows to help out.

So I just keep adding to my notebook and search on for a place and friends to join me...
I'll be there soon... HOME... can't wait.

[George Ann]

This IC building is hard work and can be pretty heartbreaking. I had a post on the intentional communities website a while back, then actually took out an ad. Had a few people respond but we are fairly remote although only a mile or so from a major highway. It seems that everyone wants a place where all the work of getting something started is already done. Had a couple with 2 children call just as the ad was about to run out. As soon as they found out we were offering a month without any payment for rent, utilities or even food, they were on their way. (wam bam) I had made it clear to them that the pay scale in the area was rather low and on top of that it is 30 mi to town one direction and 25 the other so this was not a good place for someone bringing a lot of monetary debt with them. They left the day before yesterday saying they both needed to work full time to pay off their debts and didnt have time for the responsibilities they had acceped here. You see, the free month was over 2 weeks ago and I had asked them to start splitting the grocery bill (not a bad deal since they were 4 mouths and we are 2) and putting in for their own electricity use. They had both already gotten jobs using us as references so they had the money but instead, went into town and rented a motel by the week and are going to live in town. They did do some work here as far as getting the garden turned and yard weeds cleaned up and he helped Tim do the slab for the chicken house, but we spent as much or more on groceries along with the electric and phone bills that have yet to come in than I would have had to pay some one to do the work. They gave no indication they were going to go even though I had told them I did not want to get livestock till I knew I had someone here to help care for them. They were so eager to get the milk goats and chickens I have been wanting for so long but did not have the time to care for while I still had to work off property, that I thought they were happy here and everything was fine so I got them. Now I have a large garden started, 2 little goats to care for and baby chicks on the way with no help to take care of any of it. My husband will help for awhile, but he didnt want these projects to start with although he was (and is) fine with me having other people come to help with them and live here. We opened our home and hearts and got used big time, (may I have a little cheese with this whine please) Fortunately for me, I still believe that the right person or people will show up at the right time and I refuse to allow this experience to keep me from trusting. I am only a couple years away from being 60 years old and have worked hard all my adult life to remain as nieve as possibile although open may be a better word than nieve. So if you know of anyone that likes hot weather, gardening, goats and chickens, have them contact us. HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL.