Sustainable living is fast becoming one of the most vital and compelling topics our species has to explore. Whether it is motivated by climate change, economic crisis, or global health concerns, it is penetrating all aspects of life and leaving no culture untouched. There are several habits and lifestyle choices individuals can implement in order to have a positive impact on this modern-day dilemma, but most of these things have little to no affect on the problem at large.
The truth is we need to radically shift the way we live. And it is happening globally whether we choose to participate consciously or be impacted secondarily. More people are awakening to their desire to interact with our environment in a more holistic and balanced way. More people feel inspired to make the strides necessary in order to slow and eventually reverse the momentum we have built towards a continuous declining quality of life. Many of us are feeling empowered to reclaim our liberty and demand appropriate allocation of resources. And we feel the time is now.
We know we need to do evolve in such a way that it impacts not just the problems we have already created, but the ones we are continuing to create in this current paradigm. Whether you believe humans are the cause of climate change, the elite are to blame for our health and economic well being, or that God is punishing our unsavory behavior is irrelevant at this point. Each person is being called to action. Some are listening and finding their way to websites like this and content that shares this vision. It’s not just the activists, rebels, and disenfranchised, but all people who realize we share this beautiful planet and live in an interconnected paradigm. We call it reality. But in reality, this paradigm is changing. It has gained enough momentum and strength to create change like we have never known before. The time to sit back and see what happens is over. It is up to each one of us to empower yourself with a vision, blessing, and plan. Earth, along with humanity, is evolving. We can either take on the active role and responsibility to nourish, nurture, and support life on this planet or continue to live in disharmony, disrespect, and disconnection with it.
Intentional communities are on the rise all around the world right now. A growing demographic of our population is seeking to live sustainable, connected, and empowered lifestyles. Lifestyles that incorporate a balance of conscious stewardship of the land and environment, connection in a community of like-minded companions, and personal empowerment blended with self reliance. But, as of yet, no community I have found has been able to make their vision scalable, easy to duplicate, and accessible to a variety of different segments of our society. Additionally, I have yet to find a community that is employing climate change and waste management solutions to reduce the amount of garbage and plastic that is being put into our oceans and landfills while building out the infrastructure and buildings of their membership.
The vision I would like to share with you is one that incorporates all these aspects into a model that can have universal applications and offers an alternative to the standard residential setting we have become accustomed to here in the states, and many places in the world. The vision of a community that produces its own building materials from plastic waste, renewable, regenerative, recycled, and onsite or sustainable resources. One that grows its own fresh foods with less than 25% being received from outside sources within 5 years, and having its own water, energy, and education model onsite. Simply put, an intentional subdivision with regenerative farming practices and humane food sourcing that recruits like-minded and heart-centered individuals from multiple races, skill-sets, cultures, economic backgrounds, and ages to collaborate and co-create a fully sustainable community.
In addition to the diversity we aim to incorporate into our community culture, single mothers or single parents in need of support is a demographic I would like to give special attention to as we develop our collaborative group. As a single mother for the past eight years, I have personal experience with this way of being in the world. My experience created a deep motivation to help my fellow single parents receive the support and companionship they so deserve. After living in an intentional community in Costa Rica for a few years, I learned firsthand how valuable it was to have friends and co-creators living in close proximity. It created a safe place for kids to play and peace of mind for each person who could walk to work, dine with neighbors, work on projects together, and model collaborative, supportive behavior for children or new members to adopt. I feel so grateful for this experience and am excited to share this paradigm with other open-minded people around the world. It is time to create communities that are more than a collection of houses.
Foundation
A safe and sound home has a few key compounds. A strong foundation, optimally designed and engineered structural integrity, and a balance between the security of walls and the freedom of windows, doors, and open spaces. This community model adheres to these simple needs in the way it is structured both physically and energetically. The most fulfilling and comfortable surrounds are ones that maintain certain securities while providing inhabitants with creative expression and the freedom to pursue and express their own interests in harmony with their environment.
Our community has at its core, its foundation, a collection of people enthusiastically willing and capable of living in harmony with some very specific principles. Principles that are becoming more and more important in our culture. These are foundational principles that support the functionality and sustainability of our community now and for generations to come. The core principles would establish a baseline for the community culture to implement, develop, and refine.
Principle one is the desire within each member to live in harmony with the environment. This translates into adhering to our pillars of stewardship for the planet and our immediate environment with willingness and pride.
Principle two is the commitment each member has to engaging in authentic and respectful relationship and communication with family, friends, and community guests. To support the development and adherence to this paradigm, the community offers self-discovery, self-reliant, and self empowerment education, workshops, and training. This creates a foundation of loving interactions with the freedom to disagree respectfully.
Principle three is the adherence to the regenerative growth model which balances organic expansion and development with sustainability and long term impact analysis to ensure resilience for both community and environment.
The details of how these principles would be implemented and expressed in daily activities and practices is highlighted in the blog post Community Foundation and Pillars
Be well, enjoy the now, and thrive on.
Much Love,
Suyana Cole
Author of The All Inclusive Approach: The Art of Divine Remembrance