Resources to inspire
These are some of the things that I have come across that I find inspiring and motivating, providing encouragement and excitement to push ourselves into the unknown and wonderful world of possibilities of being a nomadic family. Hope you find some joy and inspiration here as I have..
Rainbow gatherings"When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colors, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the warriors of the Rainbow"
Old Native American Prophecy Rainbow Family Gatherings are made up of a loose international affiliation of individuals who have a common goal of trying to achieve peace and love on Earth. Those who participate sometimes refer to the group simply as the "Family." There are no official leaders or structure, no official spokespersons, and no formalized membership. Strictly speaking, the only goals are set by each individual, as no individual can claim to represent all Rainbows in word or deed. Rainbow Family Gatherings are held in National Forests the first week of July each year. Rainbow Gatherings are non-commercial and all who wish to attend peacefully are welcome. Traditionally the gatherings take place for a week, with a primary focus on the Fourth of July in North America, when attendees pray, meditate, or observe silence in a group effort to focus on World Peace. Thus, the name Rainbow Family of Living Light (one large group) is a reflection of both the emphasis on welcoming people of all races, religions, ethnicity, and social status, as well as a spiritual focus towards peace. Those who attend Rainbow gatherings come from all walks of life, and work together for a variety of goals, among which intentional communities, ecology, spirituality, and an expanded tolerance for others are traditional themes. Those who attend refer to one another as Rainbows, or often as Brothers or Sisters reinforcing the emphasis upon a belief that all people are not only related as part of the human community, but are just as important as members of one's own nuclear family, and given the respect implied in such relationships. Group Councils are the only form of government, and attendance is open to all interested parties, with decisions being reached through consensus. Money is not exchanged, and instead there is a bartering system for all needs, although a magic hat is passed around for necessities, such as additional food, that benefit all who attend. (Taken from www.rainbowgatherings.org) Nomads unitedNomads United is an organization that has crossed countries on horseback throughout the world since 1998. Integrated by more than 300 people, from more than 30 nationalities, that collaborate, live and learn to create a wave of environmental conscience, a social current, focused in stimulating values of sustainability, through the several groups that ride through rural areas, to learn and to contribute to innovative solutions to the critical environmental conditions of the Earth.
This group has been connecting with communities where horses have been accepted as part of the natural landscape, along ancient paths and roads in countries such as India, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and most recently in Mexico which offers a new and unique situation in its rich cultural and biological diversity. The members of the caravan have committed themselves wholeheartedly to this particular way of life and travel in as an organic way as possible. We build, teach, learn, and communicate our message to those we meet in order to create a wave of environmental consciousness that is focused on re-shaping values by encouraging conscious reflection of how our lives are lived. This we do within a context that recognizes the value of ethnic wisdom and the practical use of ones contemporary knowledge as we seek to fuse the arts, the sciences, and adventure. We are agents of change and we carefully plant ourselves throughout the world so that in the future we can bare our fruit as solutions to the problems that we are witnessing in our world today. The members of Nomads United are witnesses, guardians, and guides that shed light onto this road we are forging so that others can travel beside us with greater clarity and sense of direction. This is the first wave of this kind which has a force behind it that is so strong, it has the potential to touch people around the globe, filling their lives with a message of peace from alternative sustainable ways of living. The messages we would like to leave others with, come from the knowledge of the group members and, more importantly, from the local people we meet along the way that have much to offer as eyewitnesses to the realities of everyday life. The diffusion of our message is natural, appealing, congruent and harmonious, that with enough will and energy; we can promote conscious changes in order to ease the development of a healthier planet where the people in it are encouraged to have respect for all forms of life. There are various projects that have been formed by the caravan in different areas of the world, from ecological to social and cultural development. All the aspects of these projects fit together integrally so that when combined, the power invested into this movement can give strength to the voice of nature in way that we have never heard before. (Taken from http://www.awish.net/projects/south-america/nomadsunited.html and www.nomadsunited.com) WWOOFWWOOF is a world wide network of organisations.
We link volunteers with organic farmers, and help people share more sustainable ways of living. WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help. (Taken from www.wwoof.org) Any ideas?If anybody out there has any other inspirations please do let me know and we can share them here - you'll find details of how to get in touch on the contact page.
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