I read the chapter that Dr. Smith suggested and I thought it was really interesting.
"Grow enough to do you and a little bit more for the neighbors."
Not only is sharing important through participation, but also through the essentials of food and drink. Sharing and caring for one's neighbor is an obligation in the Irish culture. This resembles the close knit culture within the Irish. It also makes me wonder how we are such hypocrites. We want to help the world and everyone around us, but we can't even kindly gesture to our neighbor and see if they need anything. On the contrary, any extra butter that one family produced was immediately given and passed around among the neighbors.
2 comments:
Lincy,
There does seem to be a disconnect between actual community and "ideal" community here in the states. Why do we as Americans organize charities, give money and needful things to others around the world while neglecting the needs of those around us. Do you think it has to do with American self-sufficiency? In many places around the world, people need others in order to simply survive. Does the fact that many Americans can live quite comfortably without the help of neighbors or the community at large contribute to our lack of concern and sharing with our neighbors?
I agree with both of you; we as Americans tend to forget ourselves and focus only on ourselves, if I make any sense. We seem more concentrated on pleasure-seeking than community. I see people walking around with iPods cranked, neglecting everyone around. It makes me sad that we are so impersonal nowadays. I believe that the Irish are still "rural" enough to remember that family and friends are essential to a happy and worthwhile life. My family in Nebraska is like this; they live in a small farm community, and know everyone and everything in the town and the next 5 counties. They'll tell you anything you want/need to know, at any time. They don't gather around the fireplace and play music, but nothing's better than freshly-shucked and husked sweet corn for us. Food is the gathering for this country's rural folk, but in a good way. In lieu of a hearth, though, in the summer, we'll sometimes make a huge bonfire and play games.
The cities now seem to promote that self-sufficiency factor more than ever. What can we do for us, at this minute? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Romans began to crumble when this same thing occured. They seemed focused on themselves and the moment instead of the problems of the empire.
Sorry for the rambling and probable confusion, it's late and racquetball wore me out. Have a good one, everybody!
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