There is still another means of judging the healthfulness of a place, i.e., by the ruddy complexion of the inhabitants, their sturdy, well-shaped limbs, the presence of many and vivacious children, and of many old people. On the other hand, there can be no doubt about the deadliness of a climate where people are misshapen and weak, their limbs either withering or swollen beyond proportion, where children are few and sickly, and old people rather scarce.
- St Thomas Aquinas De Regno Part 2 Chapter 2
In the last post, I encouraged everyone to throw a block party.
Some might be discouraged from such, citing costs. To which I would say; provide a main course, make it potluck, and BYOB. Defray costs.
Trust me, it’ll be great.
As someone that did a country wedding, slaughtered a friends cow, had another friend cook it as meatballs for the main course, potluck for the rest, and a third friend make wine for the alcohol…
Oh, and we rented a large event tent tent, chairs, and strung up cheap, Amazon, white Christmas lights for the lighting…
Yeah, community events on the cheap are awesome, and the way to go.
Get it done.
But, if you still baulk at it…
And it’s not over cost…
Then what does that say about where you live?
Would you like to sink your bones into where you live?
And I mean that literally.
At the end of your life,
Would you want to be buried in your neighborhood if it was legally allowed?
To have friends,
Children and ancestors,
Neighbors,
Come and visit your grave?
If you invested the blood, sweat, and tears into the community where you live, do you think that they would watch after your children (or future children) if you had to take your wife to the ER suddenly?
Would you trust them to do that?
Would you want their children to marry yours?
Would you want to build a church in the neighborhood? Or add onto it? Sink your knees and fingers into the dirt while you raise your soul to the heavens?
Would you volunteer on the local fire department?
If the answers to these questions is a resounding, “NO!”
Then….
Maybe…
Your first move after dismounting that Donkey should instead be to find a country road…
And see what lies down at the end of it.
But the Hellenic race, which is situated between them, is likewise intermediate in character, being high spirited and also intelligent. Hence it continues free, and is the best-governed of any nation, and, if it could be formed into one state, would be able to rule the world.
- Aristotle Politics Book 7 Chapter 7