Welcome to The Conversationalist, where you’ll find stories, photos and videos from an individual who embarked on a yearlong travel project. Wander through the pages and discover the journey! More →
THE RURAL/URBAN DILEMMA
Twenty first century reflections on the dilemma between urban and rural living.
Amazing my friend, and extremely touching. It is a tough question and something that I’ve had to struggle with. I was raised in the shadow of a Benedictine monastery in a rural area of a considerably smaller city, and I miss it. being able to explore the mountains and lay in a field of a hundred acres surrounded by forest, with my dog (hehe) But when I chose my career, or it chose me, I was lost because I had to choose, my home or career. But now it’s sorta different… I believe that you can have both. Some of my favourite shows have been pioneer house and manor house, where ppl go back in time and live those kind of lives. Arts and culture is defined by you, spending time in the garden is just as validly artistic as watching an opera in vienna… hope you don’t mind my rant, it was a moving post my friend.. Personally I love the country, and hope to end up there one day soon… dh
I have and still struggle with the urban vs. rural debate for a long time and I am boiling it down to a matter of community. If you enjoy ruralness, why not. Technology can allow us to work from anywhere. Technology can also give us that daily dose of culture that maybe just out of reach. Community can make or break a rural or urban setting. I mean, unless you decide to live in an urban setting because you want to live the comforting life of anonymity. In my opinion the best and worst parts of rural living is the community. Sometimes you don’t want the whole community to know everything that is going on in your life. Sometimes these communities are backwards and full of prejudice, but you will always find that they care, they’re passionate and when you really need them, they will be there. I guess it is a matter of finding the community that is right for you, progressive in the ways that matter to you most. I’ve found that a lot of rural communities do have culture, you just need to dig into it.
We are totally seeking that balance as well. Hence our move to the Kootenays.. just above the ashram. Looking for more space, more nature, more quiet and looking for dynamic spaces that bring people into intelligent/curious/ interaction with one another. AND, I can still get a great cappuccino out here. We will see what the winter brings! Love the questions you are in.
Amazing my friend, and extremely touching. It is a tough question and something that I’ve had to struggle with. I was raised in the shadow of a Benedictine monastery in a rural area of a considerably smaller city, and I miss it. being able to explore the mountains and lay in a field of a hundred acres surrounded by forest, with my dog (hehe) But when I chose my career, or it chose me, I was lost because I had to choose, my home or career. But now it’s sorta different… I believe that you can have both. Some of my favourite shows have been pioneer house and manor house, where ppl go back in time and live those kind of lives. Arts and culture is defined by you, spending time in the garden is just as validly artistic as watching an opera in vienna… hope you don’t mind my rant, it was a moving post my friend.. Personally I love the country, and hope to end up there one day soon… dh
I have and still struggle with the urban vs. rural debate for a long time and I am boiling it down to a matter of community. If you enjoy ruralness, why not. Technology can allow us to work from anywhere. Technology can also give us that daily dose of culture that maybe just out of reach. Community can make or break a rural or urban setting. I mean, unless you decide to live in an urban setting because you want to live the comforting life of anonymity. In my opinion the best and worst parts of rural living is the community. Sometimes you don’t want the whole community to know everything that is going on in your life. Sometimes these communities are backwards and full of prejudice, but you will always find that they care, they’re passionate and when you really need them, they will be there. I guess it is a matter of finding the community that is right for you, progressive in the ways that matter to you most. I’ve found that a lot of rural communities do have culture, you just need to dig into it.
We are totally seeking that balance as well. Hence our move to the Kootenays.. just above the ashram. Looking for more space, more nature, more quiet and looking for dynamic spaces that bring people into intelligent/curious/ interaction with one another. AND, I can still get a great cappuccino out here. We will see what the winter brings! Love the questions you are in.