Staying is kin to belonging - i just wrote a few articles on it as it presents so strongly in the Living System world. Belonging is the roots to how we can BE - as Ben mentions about staying - it gives us capacity to know and we need to know in order to tend and care - we need willingness to observe through seasons and know the land and stories and people from place. All of this opens us to the ability to truly be a part of where we are - as who we are. Such a deep level of connection is lost these days sadly, its not just nomadic life its dis-connect - that separation from who we are deeply thats sees us not throw a tether into a place - or to know where to begin to even throw a line to catch us. Thank you for the article
Great article and thank you for focusing on this. I’ve been farming in the same valley here in the Siskiyou mountains of SW Oregon for the past 28 years so many points touched upon here resonate deeply
Thank you for sharing this abundance of valuable insight. I am Irish and moved to Colombia two years ago to a piece of land in the mountains. It has been a slow and steady process to learn about the ecosystems, culture, and how to integrate into the land in a helpful way. I love the simplicity of the idea of just staying! Super radical in these times.
As a solo parent of three I am very concerned about the ecosystem and humans lack of connection to it.
I live in a hoa cookie cutter house neighborhood and I am torn between moving in a few years to a house with land or staying and transforming this one.
Either way I’m overwhelmed because I have really surrendered to the fact that I cannot physically do all the labor.
Thank you for sharing, Sara. Your reflection touches something deep — that longing to live in right relationship with the land while honoring your capacity, especially as a solo parent. You’re not alone in this. We’re working on a community network designed to offer support in moments like these — a place to connect, share, and tend alongside others. It’s launching later this year, so be sure you’re on our newsletter list to get first access.
Or if you are itinerate, as many must be for reasons beyond their control, listen to your neighbors with respect. Some will be people rooted in the place, others will have had meaningful experiences. The more diverse the neighborhood, the more robust the solutions, and rewarding the getting through challenges. Lend a hand and you might get a hug.
Staying is kin to belonging - i just wrote a few articles on it as it presents so strongly in the Living System world. Belonging is the roots to how we can BE - as Ben mentions about staying - it gives us capacity to know and we need to know in order to tend and care - we need willingness to observe through seasons and know the land and stories and people from place. All of this opens us to the ability to truly be a part of where we are - as who we are. Such a deep level of connection is lost these days sadly, its not just nomadic life its dis-connect - that separation from who we are deeply thats sees us not throw a tether into a place - or to know where to begin to even throw a line to catch us. Thank you for the article
Great article and thank you for focusing on this. I’ve been farming in the same valley here in the Siskiyou mountains of SW Oregon for the past 28 years so many points touched upon here resonate deeply
Thank you for sharing this abundance of valuable insight. I am Irish and moved to Colombia two years ago to a piece of land in the mountains. It has been a slow and steady process to learn about the ecosystems, culture, and how to integrate into the land in a helpful way. I love the simplicity of the idea of just staying! Super radical in these times.
As a solo parent of three I am very concerned about the ecosystem and humans lack of connection to it.
I live in a hoa cookie cutter house neighborhood and I am torn between moving in a few years to a house with land or staying and transforming this one.
Either way I’m overwhelmed because I have really surrendered to the fact that I cannot physically do all the labor.
Thank you for sharing, Sara. Your reflection touches something deep — that longing to live in right relationship with the land while honoring your capacity, especially as a solo parent. You’re not alone in this. We’re working on a community network designed to offer support in moments like these — a place to connect, share, and tend alongside others. It’s launching later this year, so be sure you’re on our newsletter list to get first access.
With you in it,
INL team
Or if you are itinerate, as many must be for reasons beyond their control, listen to your neighbors with respect. Some will be people rooted in the place, others will have had meaningful experiences. The more diverse the neighborhood, the more robust the solutions, and rewarding the getting through challenges. Lend a hand and you might get a hug.
Looking forward to reading this. Love Ben.
Thank you, from a neighbor and admirer of Ben.