Max, Christina, and Emma singing their hearts out. Photo by Javi.
Im sure that lots happened this last week here at Dancing Rabbit, but all I can think about is singing.
Christina here, bringing news of drums, voices, and circles.
Before I moved to Dancing Rabbit, singing was barely a part of my life. Sure, I sang to the kids to get them to sleep at night and I sang in the car all the time. But Id been told sometime somewhere that I wasnt a good singer, and so I never really sang with or around other people.
When I came to my first visitor session, I was by myself. I heard that there was this thing called song circle, but I was too timid to go. I remember walking by the Common House that night and seeing people sitting around on the couches and chairs in a loose circle and singing. It looked intriguing.
I decided that it would be a good experience for the kidseducational and all that. So when I came back for my second visitor session, this time with the whole family, we decided to check out this song circle thing.
When we finally moved here, early last February, the kids and I kept showing upon Wednesdaynights at7:45, sitting in those couches and chairs, and learning new songs. The way it usually works is someone starts off by requesting a song. We all do our best to sing it, or learn it if we dont know it. We then go around the circle, and everyone has a chance to request what we sing. There are a few stronger singers, and there are some who are not always (or often) on tune. There are also a few who are good at leading and teaching new songs, and some who forget the words every week.
There wasnt any big revelation for me, or a moment when I realized how important singing had become in my life; it was more of a gradual change. But one day, I found myself looking forward toWednesdaynight, making lists of songs to request, and walking around singing the new songs Id learned all week long.
Fast forward to this past weekend. Alyssa decided a few months ago to organize a weekend singing retreat. The idea was that we would spend a day and a half learning new songs and eating together and not doing much else. Because Alyssa is a master organizer and has a great talent for making things happen, she rounded up over 30 adults and I think 11 kids, from the tri-communities as well as from La Plata and further afield. Housing was arranged, meals were coordinated, tea and snacks were set up, and chairs were placed in a circle again, this time in La Casa.
So, we spentFridayafternoon and night andSaturdaymorning and afternoonand a bonus kid sessionon Saturdaynightlearning new songs. The amazing song leaders who had traveled in for the retreat kept the energy high and the intentions focused. We sang rounds and harmonies and danced in circles and lay on the floor on mats. We learned African songs and Norwegian songs and folk songs and brand new songs that had been written by a friend of a friend. We sang sad songs and joyous songs and silly songs and hauntingly beautiful songs. We shared lots and lots of good foodso much that there was enough for an unplanned dinneron Saturdaynight. My throat was aching bySaturdaylunch, and my head was full of many many new songs.
This might sound like a lot of singingand it was.On SundayI felt that strange mental hangover that I feel after a big holiday or vacation is over.
Obviously, community can exist without singing, but Ive been told that many communities have singing traditions. Its interesting to think about why this isIm pretty sure that none of my friends back in mainstream life have anything of the sort in their lives.
For me, there are a few things I love about this specific kind of singing.
Its super cheap entertainment.In fact, its usually free. Not that I refuse to ever spend money on things that are fun, but I definitely do resent the idea that I think is pretty common in mainstream life that you have to spend money to do anything excitinggoing out to dinner, seeing a movie, even driving to a friends house all cost something. But walking over to the Common House on aWednesdaynight costs nothing but the time.
A bond is created when people are sharing their voices in song. Its partly another example of a time when we work together to achieve something. Its also the fact that theres nowhere to hideyou have to make eye contact at some point no devices or even songbooks to hide behind.
I get out of my head for the time being.It is not easy for me to stop thinkingabout what I have to do today, what I havent done yet, what I already did, what were having for dinner, or whether or not the clothes are dry yet. But when Im singing a song at song circle, I am totally there. Its enough to think about the words of a song that I silence all those other thoughts for a little while, but its not so much that it becomes a stressful task in and of itself.
Watching my kids sing is one of the greatest joys in my life.Looking over to see their sweet relaxed faces, totally focused in the moment and enjoying themselves, is really quite incredible. They are just so pure and innocent in that moment.
There are many many reasons why we moved to Dancing Rabbit, and for the most part, those reasons are still relevant to our decision to stay. But its also fascinating how many things I love about living here that I hadnt even anticipated. Singing is one of those. Im hooked now, and I dont intend on stopping any time soon. Even if I am off-key (most of the time).
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community and educational nonprofit outside Rutledge, focused on demonstrating sustainable living possibilities. Public tours are offered April October on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. In the meantime you can find out more about us by checking out our website, http://www.dancingrabbit.org, calling the office at (660) 883-5511, or emailing us at dancingrabbit@ic.org.
More:
Drums, Voices, and Circles - Memphis Democrat
- Twin Oaks Intentional Community - Twin Oaks Intentional ... [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2016]
- The Camphill Assocation of North America Communities [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Cohousing - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2016]
- Communes: the pros & cons of intentional community ... [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2016]
- Jewish Intentional Communities Conference - Hazon [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- Common Fire Beacon-Newburgh | Creating diverse ... [Last Updated On: January 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 2nd, 2017]
- Intentional Housing Communities | www.hampshire.edu [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- A First Gen Lawyer-Turned-Entrepreneur Pioneers New Standards for College Freshmen - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Disparities in minority unemployment targeted by Iowa officials - DesMoinesRegister.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- ACE program benefits low-income communities - Observer Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Want a happy old age? Get your friends to be your neighbours - Independent Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Coalition Calls Itself The 'Eyes, Ears & Voice' Of Pittsburgh's Black Community - 90.5 WESA [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- 'A community remembers' coming to Hesston - Butler County Times Gazette [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Krista Tippett February 01, 2017 - America Magazine [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Serving the most diverse urban area on the planet - New York Nonprofit Media [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- To truly serve the public, community stations must apply standards for what's said on-air - Current [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Here's what went down at the NYC launch of Ashley Biden's charitable clothing line - Technical.ly [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Appalachian's Alternative Service Experience among nation's top 10 higher education institutions for number of programs - Appalachian State University [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Pastor: We must build bridges between police and local black communities - Fort Worth Star Telegram (blog) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Chris Wood: Now more than ever localize! - vtdigger.org [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- A Business Plan for Healthy Communities - Hospitals & Health Networks [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- The Death of the Ski Bum and Intentional Tourism - The Catalyst [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Heroin hits home: Highways provide "easy access" for drug trafficking in Franklin County - Herald-Mail Media [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- How Anarchists and Intentional Communities Are Reacting to ... [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Ohio Continues with Next Phase of InsideOut Initiative to Combat Win-at-All Costs Sports Mentality - Norwalk Reflector [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Microsoft Executives to Keynote Summit EMEA 2017 Conference - Yahoo Finance [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Marnita's Table set for Wednesday - Daily Globe [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- David Littlewood, guest columnist: Time to repeal Dodd-Frank Act and free up our community banks - Waco Tribune-Herald [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Ithaca organization encourages people to participate in National Random Acts of Kindness Week - The Ithaca Voice [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Portland groups form coalition to eradicate hate - KOIN.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Nash says 'there's more to do' on diversity at State of the County address - Gwinnettdailypost.com [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Anson County community meeting to fight poverty planned for Feb. 18 - Ansonrecord [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Spreading the Faith: Moving Coins and Moving Communities - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- If It Walks Like a Duck - ChicagoNow (blog) [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Immigrant Round-ups Stir Fears - Consortium News [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Pace: What Should I Give Up This Year? - Covington News [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- J Mase III of #BlackTransMagick seeks to redistribute resources - Daily Illini [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- South Side getting trauma center, but it'll be far more than just an emergency room - Fox 32 Chicago [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- St. Louis Park cohousing community welcomes home all ages - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- The Benedict Option and Rod Dreher's LGBT Challenge - The Atlantic - The Atlantic [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Mark Sundeen looks for a better way to live - Missoula Independent [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Cohousing communities gain popularity, including here in Nashville - WKRN.com [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The Christian Retreat From Public Life - The Atlantic [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- New senior living community eyeing Waxahachie - Waxahachie Daily Light [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Better health needs a diverse workforce - Greenville Daily Reflector [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Businesses: State needs more immigrants - Mankato Free Press [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Cohousing communities gain popularity - WDTN [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Letters: Dismiss Schimel, others for maps - The Sheboygan Press [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Food: Four Short Talks brings community to the table - Dailyuw [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Family School rebuts report on lack of diversity - Coastal View News [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- The Wall Street Journal explores trends in Christian community life sort of - GetReligion (blog) [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Renting land to highest bidder stumbling block for young people looking to start in agriculture - INFORUM [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Transportation/Traveling While Living Off Grid - Mother Earth News [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- New School Board President Believes Schools Belong to Communities - The Exponent Telegram (press release) (registration) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Worcester's retiree health costs 'unsustainable' - telegram.com - Worcester Telegram [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- 12 on Tuesday: Leslie Orrantia - WISC - Channel 3000 - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3 [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- By walking the beat, Kalamazoo officers nurture genuine ... - Michigan Radio [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Sometimes the Grass Really is Greener - Memphis Democrat [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Is Clallam opening the door to tiny houses? | Sequim Gazette - Sequim Gazette [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- New St. Paul police program aims to mentor recruits - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- A New Kind of Homeless Village is Coming to Kenton. It's a Big Deal. - The Portland Mercury (blog) [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Why We Need the Benedict Option and How It Doesn't Have to ... - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- National Expert Shares Thoughts on Environmental Justice - WUWM [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- The Promise of Paradise features area - 100 Mile House Free Press [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Speak out about your experiences - Hibbing Daily Tribune [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Trust comes in several varieties - Muncie Star Press [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- Intentional neighborhoods take root across country - LancasterOnline [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- my family did the benedict option before it was cool and here's why it doesn't work - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- Saint Benedict's Mandate - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- Cohousing Part I: Creating community and reducing social isolation - Michigan State University Extension [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- Searching for a greater interfaith understanding - Seattle Globalist [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- The fight for affordable housing in Jefferson Park continues - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- A 'Justin Option'? Justin Martyr and the Ben-Op - National Catholic Register (blog) [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- The Groves of Academe: On Keep the Damned Women Out - lareviewofbooks [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Curating Community through Intentional Placemaking - Urban Land [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Local ties: New tailgate market locations highlight business and community connections - Mountain Xpress [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- How Power Street Theatre Company is taking on representation in the arts - Generocity [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Open house will celebrate Folk Art Guild's 50 years - News - The ... - Penn Yan Chronicle-Express (blog) [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Archbishop: In 'post-Christian world' fidelity, charity, truth stand out - CatholicPhilly.com [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- How Are New Ecclesial Movements Changing the Church? - Commonweal [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]