Living off the Grid

I am not one of those over zealous tree huggers, who recycle everything and go to environment protests, but man what I would give to live "off the grid". To live a life that affects no one else. To no longer be reliant on chlorinated city water, power or gas. To have a self sustaining home out in the woods. To enjoy the life my ancestors once had, but with modern technology. To use wind and solar energy to power a cozy family home. To dig a well and recycle rain water. To grow an organic garden, to have non chemical septic and just live the way, I think, God intended.

If I had the money, I would buy acres of wilderness and build a small seven room cabin in a natural clearing, trying to affect the land as little as possible. Live close enough to paved roads and grocery stores that it wouldn't be a days trip, but live far enough the my children can scream and play in the woods without anyone hearing them. To have the freedom to let my children explore the natural world without the fear of someone harming them.

Maybe close enough that my children can attend public school and have that contact with the outside world, but come home to our magical cabin. To just slow time and savor every moment, what would it be like? Pipe dreams, pipe dreams, why does it have to be a pipe dream?

I would love to break my habit of adding to the common lifestyle of consumerism. I had a dream last night about being forced to leave this home and just go as fast as I could, what would I have to take, what would I need to take? I look around now and realize that other than photos, a few clothes, food, water and a few toiletries, the only thing to me that would matter would be my family(including my dog). Anything in this house can be replaced, if I really needed or wanted them to begin with.

Society tells us we need more and more "stuff" and I see now that it's pointless. We are trying to fill a void in our lives by filling it with junk. Sure somethings are nice to look at and somethings make life easier and more convenient, but is it worth it? If I leave this body tomorrow, I won't be taking anything with me. Life today is so full of things to do, to occupy our time until we die. To make as much money as we can until we die, to accumulate as much stuff as we can until we die. People have closer relationships with nic nacs and clothes than people, it's disgusting.

I find myself thinking about all the time Jesus traveled preaching, living off the land, enjoys the comforts and kindness of strangers. you never heard about the huge Uhaul of junk he brought along with him.

We have built walls of "stuff" to keep people out, I think that the best gift anyone can ever give someone is a piece of themselves, time to spend together. It may not be tangible on the outside, but man it fills that void the way no physical object can.