Continuation of “10 Things We Can Learn from the Amish” – Part 1
The Amish Embrace Simplicity
The Amish do not spend their days keeping up with the Joneses, or the Yoders, as it may be. The chronic pursuit of the next best thing isn’t something the Amish concern themselves with.
We “English” folk are bombarded with over 3,000 images a day to consume things! Advertisements from TV and internet each and every day ring in our heads to be discontent with what we have.
This is one of the primary reasons the Amish do not allow electricity into their homes. They feel that “those wires” bring the outside culture into their families and homes. (Ya think???)
Agree or not, the Amish protect themselves and their families from outside influences to preserve their way of life.
What could we learn from that principle, or at least improve upon?
The Amish Do Not Ask For or Receive Entitlements
The Amish not only take care of their elderly, but they also take responsibility for them financially.
While the Amish pay federal, state and local taxes, they do not pay into social security if they work for self-employed Amish. They do not want or expect social security money in their old age.
They feed their hungry and prefer to take care of their own.
The Amish Use Very Little Outside Medical Care
While the Amish will use hospitals for emergencies, these folks also embrace the use of herbs and natural healing for their families.
Tried and true “home remedies“, that have been passed down through the years are often used.
The Amish also remain active throughout much of their lives, which I’m sure minimizes ill-health to some degree.
The Amish Do Not Use Insurance
Things are handled a little differently in the Amish community when tragedy strikes. If your barn burns down, the community will schedule a “barn raising” and build you a new barn. Problems are dealt with, as much as possible, within the Amish.
That’s the power of community.
The Amish are the Ultimate Entrepreneurs
When in Amish country, you’ll see lots of little signs like this, sprinkled here and there on roadsides and corners. The Amish are the ultimate entrepreneurs.
Farm stands and quilt shoppes are everywhere, as well as Amish run hotels and restaurants.
During one of our last visits up to Holmes county, we were saddened to see that a number of our favorite shoppes and restaurants had closed, due to the economy.
But do you know what else we saw?? Quite a number of outdoor “stores”, under tents, more than I had ever seen before. The Amish have to make a living, like the rest of us, so if a store closes down, they erect make-shift stores in other ways.
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The Amish are not a perfect culture of people, none of us are. However, I firmly believe that we can all learn from each other and embrace the best of what we see, even if it means going back a few centuries.
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About kmorris
The Amish are such an interesting group. My mom and dad are neighbors with the Amish and come over ever so often to have my parents make phone calls for them. I respect them a great deal. Like you said, they aren’t perfect people, but they do try hard to live Godly lives.
Your produce and quilt signs brought back a rather embarrassing memory. I had such a stressful Sunday, I forgot what day of the week it was. So, I showed up at the neighbors house looking for tomatoes for supper. I couldn’t figure out where they were. When they showed up, I explained to them I didn’t know where to leave the money and he said, “no sale on Sunday”. I was totally embarrassed. Then to make matters worse, I said I forgot it was Sunday. Duh! I couldn’t believe how small I felt at the moment. The dear man told me I could take a few for free. I am sure my face was more red than the tomatoes I took with me.
Rachel,
That sounds like something I would do! LOL!
Man, it would be nice if we could stop paying into social security…since there won’t be any for us to get a check when we hit retirement age. And to think of the money we would save not having different insurances. We rarely go to the dr anymore because I prefer to use herbs if we can stay away from the dr’s and walgreens. If my son didn’t have major heart defects we won’t be going around doctors. The older I get the more I become like my great grandfather who by the way got kicked in the head by a horse, slicing his head one and the dr had to do surgery on the kitchen table because Grandpa said he wouldn’t go to the hospital “that is where they kill people”. The dr came to his home everyday to check on him.
Aside from the strict religiousocity (verses a real relationship with Jesus Christ) I would live an Amish lifestyle in a heartbeat.
Would it be hard.
Yes
Would it be meaningful.
Yes
Though without electricity I would know such wonderful bloggy friends like you Kelly!
I live in a community with several Amish families. The children are delightful and often come over to use our paddle boat to go fishing. I always receive a smile, a wave, and a welcoming feeling whenever I am around them. It still surprises me when I walk out my front door and see a horse and wagon tied up to one of my trees as the boys go fishing. My dogs are still trying to get used to the smell of a horse.
I too have a barn built by Amish laborers. It is a beautiful structure– strong, well constructed. I recently hired one of the neighbor men to help me finish a root cellar. He apologized for charging me for the work. Because we were neighbors, he felt that he should be willing to be “neighborly” and complete the work as a favor. I had to insist that a ” workman is worthy of his hire” so he would accept payment for the work to help support his wife and 11 children.
Maria,
I’m not surprised that he didn’t want to accept payment, but I’m also glad you did.
Excellent job summing it all up! I love this! I really think that if we focus one step at a time that we “English” can also have a similar lifestyle.
Thanks Melissa, it’s certainly a “paradigm shift” to our English way of thinking, but like you said, one step at a time.
Do you have any information about healing onions? We bought some from the Amish in Mississippi.
This is the first time I have visited your site and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy it. We are retired, living on a very fixed income, and grow a garden for us and to share. My husband is from Michigan and lived amongst the Amish a good portion of his life. What a wonderful group of people. We should all strive to cultivate at least some of their lifestyle. It would be a much better world! Keep up your good work. I look forward to reading you in the future and have put you on my “Favorite” list for easy access.:)
I used to live close to the Amish community in Jamesport, MO. I got to know some of them and became friends. My husband and I and the kids lived a LOT like the Amish at that time as we were trying to live off the grid and had a self sustainable farm. I also sold milk, eggs, butter, cottage cheese (that one of my Amish friends taught me how to make). We raised our own vegetables, fruit, had our own meat, and even a walnut grove of trees to supply the nut meats for cooking and snacking. It was hard work but very rewarding and I miss it so today my heart aches for it. I moved to the city when my husband became so ill so he would be close to the hospitals and so would I to be able to be with him. My kids however have the best memories and one son has moved back to that life style with his family of 5 boys
I would love to be able to go back to that life style today!!!!
I love learning about the Amish! There are days I wish I could just pack up and move to Amish Country and live like them…except I don’t like to wear skirts and I like my cell phone!
I wondered about the pictures because I know it’s a big deal in the Amish culture to not have their pictures taken. I know there’s different types of Amish, including sects that have a real faith in Jesus.
Charyse,
The first picture is taken from a program and it not realistic to the Amish culture, it just looked nice for the post. You are correct, the Amish do not like photography. I am always respectful around our Amish crew, who is building our barn, that I make sure they aren’t in any pictures I take.
Thank you for sharing these great reflections. As you said, no culture is perfect, but the Amish have held onto morals when so much of our society has thrown them out the window.
I so agree that we have created a great detriment to our children by treating them as babies their whole lives. I so admire the respect and responsibility in cultures such as the Amish, we could re-learn so much from them! Why have we abandoned our community?
Great post!
I just love the idea of living in a community of like minded people that respect and look out for one another. They have no insurance? How do they handle medical care when it is necessary? I would bet most are very healthy as they probably grow most of their own food and definitely exercise with all the hard work. I appreciate my modern conveniences, let me tell you that, however, I would love to have that kind of community of like people that believed as I did and helped each other and others. How wonderful would that be.
Thanks for this post.
I actually envy the Amish. I love wearing dresses and skirts. I would love to live by daylight and rest at dark. I would love to not have electricity for all the “extras” that suck valuable time, experiences, and memories from your life. And I love the values instilled in children. I love the simplicity that they live by. We buy produce from an Amish auction in Lawrenceburg and are very grateful to them. The only thing II don’t understand is the feeling I get from them that we are not worthy. The ones at the auction are not the friendliest. But, it could just be me. I truly wish that we were part of a caring community.
I am surprised that no one has commented on, and you didn’t make mention of – the Amish’s very famous – and horrific relationship with – puppmills. They are the largest puppymiller in North America. If you type “Amish dog breeder” into a google search and click on the image search option you won’t be very happy with the images that come up – they won’t be fuzzy, happy stories that you’ve been telling yourself about the Amish culture that you’ve believed. For some reason they treat dogs and puppies worse than they treat any living creature – worse than cows, pigs, chickens – it’s unbelievable, really. And when they can’t get any more money out of the breeding dogs – they just shoot them. The Amish are famous in the dog rescue world in all of North America for their abuse and inhumanity – not for their lovely, moral way of life.
I hope you don’t just delete this comment – because what I’ve said is true – when I first heard about the Amish when I was younger I thought they were so wonderful – I researched them and thought – what a wonderful way to live, and then when I heard about how they treat dogs – it’s such a dichotomy – one that I couldn’t put together. They obviously do not view animals as being equal to humans, and therefore worthy of any kind of mercy, which is to me – horrible and unforgiveable. I’ll take my “English” way of life anyday – because at least I treat all sentient beings equally.
Wow. I am glad that you shared this info. There are always two sides to every viewpoint and your comment provides a little bit of balance to the picture that was created here. Thank you.
While I have heard of Amish puppy mills, I also have Amish friends who have raised dogs for breeding and selling and also provide grooming services. The dogs are healthy and are treated humanely and with great kindness. I do think we must be careful to not paint an entire group of people with one swipe of the brush.