As I was surfing the net, I stumbled upon an article that spoke about a woman who has been living without money for 16 years. She is not a typical homeless person. She gave up her home; she doesn't own anything, but she says she is carrying a message and a philosophy that denounces materialism.
She has written two books and a documentary, relating her story, was recently released.
Heidemar Schwermer was born in Germany. She had a very comfortable lifestyle. As a psychotherapist and a teacher, she was earning a decent living. Before the big move, she had been thinking about giving up all of her belongings for some time. In her midfifties, she took the plunge. She sold everything and started bartering her services (cleaning, gardening, etc.) for food and shelter. What started as a one year experiment turned into a 16-year adventure.
She travels Germany all year round, seing her two children and two grandchildren only once a year. She only accepts money to pay for her train tickets. She goes from house to house and feels that, throughout her journey, she has been able to share her vision of life. Many people have criticized her way of living, saying that without people's financial generosity, she wouldn't have been able to survive, so that in fact she has lived with money, indirectly.
The fact of the matter is not many of us would have the courage to leave behind everything we own to live that kind of life. We are so attached to money and material comfort; we live in a consumer's society and maybe, because of that, we have lost touch with fundamental human values. And maybe her simple lifestyle, which brings her tremendous happiness by the way, can remind us that love, sharing, human connection, etc., should hold a more important place in our lives than THINGS.
No comments:
Post a Comment