Living our own Amish Way? ~ Day 40

Today is a typical Monday for the rest of the world but not to those who don't have the stress of a job to run to...  

My husband's alarm came on at 7 AM sharp! He was up and at it with his office's calendar on his mind as I kissed him good-bye. I stayed in bed, slumbering my Monday morning away and enjoying being snuggled in bed with the cool dawn breeze and the rustling of leaves among the trees outside my window.  I fell back to sleep until 9AM and gently woke again when my internal alarm was ready to wake up.  I slipped out of my bed, feeling rested with no hast to begin my day.

I don't miss those stressful days of the career rat race, but then I am the lucky one in a very traditional marriage with a very kind husband who values the "luxury of time" he has given to me, by working for both of us.  He often tells me, "I work hard with stress for the both of us, so you don't have to.  It's my 'purpose' as your husband." Awww... I love and adore our adaptation to simple values of marriage between us, while we also have our 21st century nontraditional family circle beyond ourselves.  

Not everyone shares this value or appreciates it, and that's okay, but it works beautifully for both of us.  We are kindle spirits to find each other later in life, to value our traditional roles in love and marriage, and to serve each other well.

This is an old-fashioned way of life in today's world for most people, but I feel so blessed to have it in my life, and I don't feel guilty anymore!  What I mean, by "I don't feel guilty anymore" is I have worked through the "Gotta have more and I need to have the career to afford more stuff, status, and style."  You know the cycle.  When you are young, you climb on that hampster wheel, believing there is a destination called happiness, once you get there.  But as you mature, you realize that happiness is not something you "buy" or "acquire".  I've  learned it is a choice and a way of life! :)

First, my ego had to re-adjust and let go of my old way of thinking that if I don't have a career, I am not valued or productive as a person. No longer do I listen to what my ego or society says, rather I have reached my own understanding of what I value most in my life ~ PEACE. ( or lack of stress)

On my own, with the help of maturity that living life brings, I've reached this stage.  It's a stage I reached in my second marriage, where I am able to embrace a new way of life.  I must achieve  happiness and contentment with my inner-self first, and then, and only then, can I recognize the simple joyful peace that is right in front of me!  Life has presented that "Peace" to me, in my simple role as James' wife.  :)

This bring my thoughts back to this weekend when James and I drove through the heart of Amish Country. In Ohio, there is the little town of Berlin.

Old & new world

It was beautiful and much likes going back in time as we saw horse & buggies, sharing the same road with fast cars and motorcycles. 

We drove through many areas around Berlin, Ohio's countryside, to witness the Amish Country and their everyday lifestyle.  What a treat! Along the way, we saw the blending of the old & new worlds within the Amish community.

We also were able to ordered hand made Amish furniture for our cottage  too!

There was  "a tourist section" in the midst of this beautiful and peaceful Amish country side.  It was here that people gathered from around the world, traveling many miles via airports and busy interstate highways just to visit retail shops featuring all Amish- made furniture, homemade goods, and restaurants serving "authentic" Amish food.  These stores are not owned by the "traditional" Amish, but the majority of "crafted" products are hand made by the Amish families living around the community in Holmes County.

The visitors

It was fun to see the contrast of a fund raising car wash "Amish style". These were High School Amish children in their traditional clothing, working to earn money for their mission trip, in a very American way.  They each had a section of the car they were responsible for cleaning, as we went from the washing section to the separate drying section. They really did a great job washing our car for a donation of our chosing.

 We came home wanting to learn more about the Amish culture.

Beautiful farms all around us

A simple way of life

I am attaching a link here for you to read more about the Amish way of life, if you wish to know more.  Fascinating traditions! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish_way_of_life

A typical family home with horse & buggy parked outside instead of an automobile.

Like any tourist, we had many questions about the Amish way of life, but we had no one to answer them. Here's a good FAQ link to read more. http://www.amish.net/faq.asp

James & I throughly enjoyed our tour. We came home having more respect and appreciation for their steadfast hold on basic values and simple traditions, in today's fast moving world. 



With our own eyes, we witnessed their simple way of life that still exists today. It only confirms and encourages us to hold onto our way of life, as husband and wife, in our very own "traditional" marriage.

It doesn't matter what the rest of the world is doing, if you value something very special within your family, your relationship, your community, then HOLD ONTO IT and LIVE IT,... and just maybe you will help keep your traditions going for generations to come.

Like the Amish culture, no one can take away your values or ideas you hold dear to you,  unless YOU stop believing and give them away!

With Love & Tradition, :)

Hai