Why is being “Homeless” such a bad thing? Maybe it's not!

Originally posted by mkkkay
today! in montreal,qc canada it is -27 celcious, -39 with the wind factor.
today! is a bad day to be homeless

Or it could just be a bad location to be homeless.

reply to post by Wanderer112358


Simply put, nomadic persons cannot be in check, counted, accounted for, regulated, tabulated, tracked nor enslaved.

Some homelessness is controllable loss and not a fear to those in power, ALL being nomadic IS.

Perhaps to be a free-man, one must NOT have an address.

I prefer the not totally homeless with cash model. I prefer the way way below your means style of living. That way I have a warm dry bed. The self sustained living is cheap too. Then when you want to travel just get liquid and go. It really confuses the neighbors though. Since they think differently there thoughts are more backward."If they didn't travel so much they wouldn't be so poor."
They continue to cash their paycheck and get out there to be sure it's all spend by Sunday evening. We're saving some and spending some....on fun!

Homeless, wanderer, seeker, explorer, poor, rich - whatever, so long as you are living the way you want without harming others then you don't have to justify yourself to anyone. Who cares how others see you? You can't change their biases and prejudices and attitudes. Do they care how you see them? No way. Go your way as you choose and do so in peace.

Originally posted by Shema

Homeless, wanderer, seeker, explorer, poor, rich - whatever, so long as you are living the way you want without harming others then you don't have to justify yourself to anyone. Who cares how others see you? You can't change their biases and prejudices and attitudes. Do they care how you see them? No way. Go your way as you choose and do so in peace.

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

I'd like to point out, a book I'm currently reading called Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge.
It's about how active our bodies need to be in order to age well. In a nutshell, the beginning of the book states that our bodies were never meant for the lifestyle we are forced to live today. Staying in one place, daily grind of a job, sedentary life, overeating and eating junk food. WE were designed to be nomadic, to eat food as we found it, to physically survive DAILY. To not do so, is causing all kinds of disease and rapid aging.
Look at it from outside the box...
You are born into this world and told to do what? Spend the most innocent and inquisitive years of your life being educated enough to carry on the role of going heavily into debt and being a good little consumer your entire life till you are laying on your death bed, and realize how much time you wasted when you could have been enjoying life. The university degree, the mortgage, the retirement fund...useless. I care not for any of it. The stress of maintaining all those is enough to cause disease within. I'll not condemn anyone who chooses that..it's not my place to judge another. But for me...it's insanity, and I want none of it.

Originally posted by RedmoonMWC

Originally posted by mkkkay
today! in montreal,qc canada it is -27 celcious, -39 with the wind factor.
today! is a bad day to be homeless

Or it could just be a bad location to be homeless.

True that.

This is a half thought out post.

My younger brother, just shy of 30, has been living a "nomadic lifestyle for about 3 years now, and its the happiest he has ever been. He has worked many jobs, from fast food, to working for the DoD. One day, he quit, sold just about everything he owns and decidedly became homeless.

Part of the year he lives at a commune/squat. Probably 6 to 8 people live there on the regular, and another 10 or so come and go from various places. People live in buses, tents, and even hammocks in trees. Some work part time jobs, others maintain a vegetable garden on the premise, and others go out and about to earn some quick cash to kick down. As stated, there is a veggie garden, as well as a goat, and chicken coop, so some food is taken care of on the property. Some food is "dumpstered" and still other food, such as day old bread, and the like, is given away to them from local bakeries.

The group also volunteer at Food Not Bombs, which provide meals for the homeless and those in need.

The remainder of the year is spent traveling.
Sometimes by hitch-hiking, or it's safer counterpart, Ride-sharing. Other times he will roll old school, and train hop, traveling west coast to east and back again. He's been able to cross the U.S. on his own private rail car. Toured most of the East and South in a bus, performing drums with a band. Right now, he's in Hawaii, staying on beaches with his gal for the next 6 weeks.

He's lives where he wants when he wants to. Eventually finding a small piece of unworked land and building a home for himself being a goal. Working 2 months out of the year, and for very little money, he is the most Free person I know. He does not scam the system for welfare, nor steal from people, nor do drugs or have a mental handicap. He just lives how he desires one sunrise to the next.

My point, finally, is that originally, I was very much against his abrupt lifestyle change, but over the years have been able to come to terms with his choices for his life. Originally I didnt agree because I was worried about his future, and his ability to take care of himself at a later age; was worried about all of the things that keep us in check, and bumping out the daily grind, like owning a home, retirement, responsibility to a family, keeping healthy. I came to realize, that I was just envious, and much wanted the same kind of life he is able to live. To drop it all, sell everything, travel and live off the land. But fear of losing all of my "securities" keep me locked in to the rat race.

Ive been invited many times to go out on these adventures, and have felt the need to decline every time. For Fear of returning, and not being able to get a job again, or having my room rented out, or of the IRS wanting "their cut," or vagrancy laws, or maybe I wont be able to hack it, or a million other bothersome thoughts.

I can see how living his lifestyle can be fulfilling. In order to do so, you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable sometimes. You have to survive on a daily basis, as one poster mentioned, and I think this is a good thing. To be self reliant to such a degree.

Thank you for the thread OP! And thanks to those who take the time to read, as I know quite a few ATSers aren't to keen on a "wall of text." ----Cheers

Being Homeless & Off the Grid May Have it's advantages BUT: If you live in a car you might need gas, and eventually you will need to bathe or shower, you will need to wash your clothes, you will need a Bathroom to get rid of your waste & Toilet Paper to wipe, Food to eat, No Money No Food unless you Beg! So is living Homeless & Being Off the Grid Worth it if self imposed ?

reply to post by jaytay


I suppose one may need to be a bit shameless, but all except for auto fuel, and food, can be accomplished in public restrooms. Ive done long road trips, where a quick shower consists of some damp hand towels in a gas station restroom. Face, neck, pits and groin. I don't know where you are from, but I see this kind of thing is Southern California quite a bit.

Food can be acquired through shelters set up to help those in need. Or, again, if not embarassed, one could always check with local grocers/bakeries to ask for "day old" bread, or if it comes to it, dumpster it from out back after closing. It may be a gross prospect, but not surprisingly, food is wasted. perfectly good food at times. Still wrapped, pre expiration date. Sometimes, not so much, but still edible.

As far as gas goes, Im at a loss on this one. Im sure the desperate could siphon it, but I wouldn't condone stealing. I also hope if it were an emergency, and one ABSOLUTELY needed to steal it, I hope one would have enough decency to siphon from City/State/or Corporate owned vehicles as opposed to taking from someone working hard to make a living for themselves.

If anyone else can think of other options for JayTay or myself...let us know!

I wouldn't mind being homeless. I wouldn't be in the city though like a bum. I'd take it as an opportunity to renunciate.

Originally posted by dianashay
reply to post by Wanderer112358

 

Simply put, nomadic persons cannot be in check, counted, accounted for, regulated, tabulated, tracked nor enslaved.

Some homelessness is controllable loss and not a fear to those in power, ALL being nomadic IS.

Perhaps to be a free-man, one must NOT have an address.

edit on 24-1-2013 by dianashay because: (no reason given)

Most will see what you have said here to be silly or even crazy, but it's the truth. It has to do with shredding "things" from your life...

Originally posted by jaytay
Being Homeless & Off the Grid May Have it's advantages BUT: If you live in a car you might need gas, and eventually you will need to bathe or shower, you will need to wash your clothes, you will need a Bathroom to get rid of your waste & Toilet Paper to wipe, Food to eat, No Money No Food unless you Beg! So is living Homeless & Being Off the Grid Worth it if self imposed ?

I drove 2000km once without a cent and without resorting to illegal measures. It was simple, I would approach the owner/manager of a rural service station and offer to work for an hour or two in exchange for gas. I mowed lawns, mopped floors in toilets, bagged ice etc. Country hotels were always worth approaching in this manner and I didn't go hungry. These days I prefer to ride a bicycle when I 'break out' which I do when I feel I need to.

Its not just a desire to get away for a while, I think we all need to step out of our comfort zones occasionally and stick our necks out, practice our survival skills, do something utterly different with ther proviso that we respect other people and their property always.

reply to post by AccessDenied

That was beautify.

The birds and lilies toil not, neither do they reap or sow...

I forgot his name, but a Hawaiian surfer guru once said that when he was young he was told by the American teachers in his school that he was going to deny his native culture and tongue and learn the english language.

Why is that, the youngster replied.

You are going to learn English so that you can go to school,

so you can get an education,

so you can get a degree,

so you can get a job,

so you can get a paycheck,

so you can buy a house,

with a two car garage, and two cars.

And? The youngster asked. Then what?

Thats it, the teacher replied.

Thats it...

reply to post by Wanderer112358


i have spent weeks at a time in the hills of norway and finland and its so nice and it feels real.. but boy when you get home and get to your own warm, dry and soft bed.. we just have got used to things like that..

Thanks for sharing this perspective on "homelessness"
It has made me question the definition of freedom and slavery in our society and look a those homeless under a different light.

Originally posted by jacobe001
Thanks for sharing this perspective on "homelessness"
It has made me question the definition of freedom and slavery in our society and look a those homeless under a different light.

That was my only reason for coming here. Not to change anyone's mind about anything, but to give others different perspectives to consider. We each can then decide what is right for us.

Peace

Originally posted by Wanderer112358
This thread is not about me. but I want to say that I live what I talk of here also.

I used to have a 6 figure job in the city, big house and two cars, etc. I let it all go. I was feeling like I was losing my soul and to be honest. I was ready to end my life.

I said to myself in a moment of sanity, "Well, if you are going to end your life, why not go out and do live your life the way to want?" So, I did. My wife of that time had about 10 yard sales. we sold everything we owned or gave it away.

Well, to make a long story short, my wife and I now live life apart, still married, no hate, no anger, just love for each other. I now live in an old truck that I converted into a cheap and simple camper. No electricity, no plumbing. More like a metal tent really.

I have been traveling America for three years now living wherever I like. I sleep in Walmart parking lots, truck stops, empty lots, etc. Wherever I find a place for free.

I don't have a retirement, little money, no medical or life insurance, but I can honestly say that I have never been this happy in my whole life.

For me it is about less being more, minimalism and freedom.

I am continuing to shed things I no longer need.

I have done extended hiking, but in my old age my feet bother me some. So I walk some and sit some. *smile*

May we all find our own unique way Home soon.

Peace

edit on 24-1-2013 by Wanderer112358 because: (no reason given)

edit on 24-1-2013 by Wanderer112358 because: (no reason given)

It seems to me that you did not have true control of your life. Life is tough it's very easy to get lose focus and then have life hand your butt to you. Eventually you will pick yourself up again. sounds to me like you cracked under the pressure.

-35 deg celsius
homelessness sucks

reply to post by Wanderer112358


what is sad is homeless people do not have the right to find a piece of woodland build a camp and survive off of nature, is this was allowed then that's what I would do.,

Another basic human right to build and house ourselves which has been stripped, we need permission to live and people doubt there is a new world order, wake up people

Originally posted by Wanderer112358
Now, let me say right off that I am NOT talking about being penniless and destitute! I am talking about people that find pleasure in being free spirits. Even though they may have funds to live, they are viewed as bums.

Why does society look on being homeless as a bad thing? Why are we so devastated and crushed when we become homeless? Does everyone need to have a permanent fixed address or dwelling to live in each night? How has it come to this? Are we made to feel devastated because society will view us as failures? Even though we may have money to support ourselves, we are made to feel less than than others around us.

The reason that I am sharing this question is that I think it is a form of conspiracy. It is a societal inforced slavery. How? By convincing us that not living like the world around us is a bad thing. We are made to feel less equal than others because we refuse to live like them.

It will seem to many that life has always been this way, but that is just not true. We humans are about exploration, about trying new things and about travel. We were nomads, plains dwellers, mountain men/women, we were sailors, adventurers. Until just a few hundred years ago, most people did not find having a permanent dwelling that desirable or even that important. In fact, we craved the change in locations, change in cultures and in scenery. Most world travelers looked disparagingly on society's town dwellers.

We have forgotten what has made us who and what we are. We have always thrived on change! How have we forgotten so quickly our heritage. Anyone that now becomes “homeless” for any reason is not only looked down upon by society, but is themselves crushed and demoralized to the point of desperation. They have become outcasts and are pitied. They see themselves as failures. They may still even have money for food or even transportation, but to be called “homeless” is a fate few can deal with logically.

The real tragedy of being labeled as homeless is the loss of perspective. There are many, many alternatives and choices open to these people, but they are so damaged by the stigma, they can't see the opportunities available to them. All is not lost. In our past we have faced worse dilemmas and challenges than this! This lifestyle change is about a loss of historical understanding.

yes

i think you hit the nail.

i believe it is a societal slave issue. this society is based on the old english system of work for a few dollars for your master. if your master is an ahole ; deal with it or find a new master. if you master fires you; deal with it; find a new master.
i think homeless is not the issue. you are living as the nomadic american indians did and as the nomads of other countries still do today.

the master-slave system wants all to be enslaved literally and those that find a way or don't have a problem with living on the land are a threat to the master.