Welcome to the Building Ordinary Group

Come on in. Explore our community. This group is about ways all of us can make the Village of Ordinary--a fictional place where people live together in harmony with each other and the earth--real today, right now. Many people, the world over, are living this dream or working to make it happen.

All lenses that join this group are part of that solution--part of making Ordinary so real and so much a part of everyday life that it can finally have a new name. If you have a lens you believe belongs in this group, please read the Group Eligibility module before submission.

May everyone who contributes here be many times blessed, and may all your endeavors to build Ordinary be successful beyond your wildest dreams.

Namaste

Image courtesy
Commons on the Alameda
Homeowners Association

What is the Village of Ordinary

READ THE BLOG

Most recent posts

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     The Village of Ordinary is a vision of what life could be like if peaceful coexistence with each other and with Nature were the norm. No wars, no drive-by shootings, no road rage; no office backstabbing, petty jealousies, or greed; and no polluted oceans, rivers, or atmosphere.
     Told through the eyes of Rose, who has lived in Ordinary all her life, the story shows us what life could be like if:
--   Every child born was wanted and grew up feeling completely supported by family and community
--   We could all do work that gave us joy
--   We were so full of love that we viewed all other beings with compassion
--   We consciously lived in harmony with Nature and other animals
     Follow Rose's journal of everyday life in Ordinary.

Image courtesy Center for Sustainable Villages

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JOIN THE WORLD - TURN OUT THE LIGHTS ON MARCH 29 FOR ONE HOUR!

Make a difference on Saturday, March 29, at 8:00 p.m.

ComfortDoc says, "Earth Hour 2008 is a global event created to symbolize that each of us, working together, can make a positive impact on climate change." Every action we take matters. This is one way to become conscious just how much.

Group eligibility

Minimum requirements

To be eligible for inclusion in this group, a lens must include the following:
  1. A bio image and a lens image (Squidoo default does not count).
  2. A minimum of four content modules (think Text/Write Modules). Content modules do not include the Intro module, guestbooks, duels, polls or commerce modules, such as Amazon, EBay, and Cafe Press.
  3. Original content. Modules consisting of large blocks of text from other websites are discouraged. Short quotations that enhance, highlight or explain original content are permissible. All quotations must be identified as such and include a link to the source.
  4. A "contact me" button. (Get the how-to on SquidU.)
  5. A guestbook--be sure to give it a module title and some content rather than sticking with the defaults.
  6. Content that clearly shows how to live more sustainably, and/or
  7. How to build sustainably, and/or
  8. How to live harmoniously.
  9. Content that is safe for all eyeballs.

Spam and adult-content lenses will be reported.

Image: Bambusa textilis.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

Visit our newest lenses and tell the lensmasters how you like them!

Give a big welcome to the newest lensmasters to join our group

Building sustainable communities

Learn about ecovillages and intentional communities through these lenses. Get a taste of village life and start building community in your life.

Would you choose to live in an ecovillage if money were no object?

After you vote, please stop by the guest book near the end of this lens and talk a bit about your decision.

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This story inspired Ordinary and set me on the path to my life work

HAVE YOU READ IT? IF SO, VOTE FOR IT!

Imagine working only a few months of the year and partying most of the rest. Imagine that you never wasted a thing. Imagine that everywhere you went, folks beamed happy faces at you. The people of Ladakh, or Little Tibet, have lived like this for thousands of years in one of the most inhospitable places in the world. Read their story. Be inspired.
 

Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh by Helena Norberg-Hodge

Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh by Helena Norberg-Hodge

Everyone who cares about the future of this planet, about their children's future, and about the deterioration in the quality of life in our own society, should read [this book].
The Guardian (England)1 point

Building sustainable homes and structures

Whether it's straw-bale construction, cob earthbags, or earthships, the sustainable building industry has matured and now offers dozens of attractive--and functional--alternatives to traditional high-energy, high-maintenance structures.

Making Peace - Choosing harmony

WAYS WE ARE MAKING PEACE IN OUR LIVES

Protecting our children

at home and around the world

Until Ordinary is just that, we help to build it every time we help a child and her parents on the path to a better life. These lenses exemplify that care.

Five lensmasters building on the vision

Please visit their lenses and give a big welcome to:
 

Nurturing and restoring the Earth

Ways we are giving back

The Earth feeds us, clothes us, shelters us and provides the air we breathe. Lenses here show us how to give back and how folks all over the world are pushing back deserts, cleaning up waterways, and reclaiming forests, prairies, and wildlands.

Gardening organic and gardening with native plants

Ways we give as much--or more--than we take

In these lenses, experienced gardeners teach us to garden sustainably, making and using compost, avoiding pesticides and herbicides, and falling in love with native plants.

Renewable energy resources

Shrinking our carbon footprint one lens, one action at a time

Lenses in this module show us how to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and how to find renewable energy options that work for us as individuals, as companies, and as nations.
 

Making sustainable choices

Greening our lifestyle one day at a time

Making sustainable choices

Ways we clean green--and safely

Eating heathy, well and green

Ways we eat more green than lettuce

Protecting and making space for the wildlife with whom we share the planet

We need them more than we know

As the human population grows, we take more and more land from the wild creatures. The people of the Village of Ordinary are careful to keep their ecological footprint small. They respect and love all animals. Enjoy the beauty of these lenses.

Ways to reduce, recycle, reuse

Sustainable, fun, eco-friendly shopping

Ways we vote with our dollars

Every dollar we spend is a vote for sustainable practices--or a vote for high carbon emissions, disease-causing pesticides, unfair labor practices, and global warming. Lenses featured here point the way to voting sustainably with your dollars.

Eco-Gadgets

Having our toys and greening too

Every bit of coal-fired energy you don't use is a little bit of greenhouse gas that will never rise and burp. Be the first on your block to have the coolest eco-gadgets ever.

What are your favorite "green" books?

VOTE FOR THEM IF YOU'VE READ THEM!

Add your own favorites to these three of mine on developing a sustainable lifestyle and a sustainable world. Don't forget to vote for the ones you've read!

Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community by Heather C. Flores

Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community by Heather C. Flores

The single best way to gain control of your own life: grow your own food. As author Flores, says, growing your own food is a radical political act.2 points

Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming by Paul Hawken

Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming by Paul Hawken

Here's a book that gives you hope in the darkest hour, along with plenty of practical information.1 point

Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, Third Edition by Lester R. Brown

Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, Third Edition by Lester R. Brown

This is the book that shows us all exactly what we need to do and how to do it. It includes a remarkably viable budget for getting it all done. Get this book.1 point

50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth by LLC Andrews McMeel Publishing, The EarthWorks Group

50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth by LLC Andrews McMeel Publishing, The EarthWorks Group

Although written for children ages 9 - 12, this is a great resource for anyone.1 point

Five more lensmasters contributing to the vision

Here are the people building Ordinary, one lens, one action, one shovel of earth, one energy-saving lightbulb, one peacemaking gesture at a time. Woot!
 

People whose work contributes to the vision

When you need inspiration

... to help you build your own village, look to these heroes. Lester Brown is the first. Do you have a lens on an environmentalist, peacemaker, inventor of a new light bulb or electric vehicle? Submit it!

Members on the move

Look who's updating their profile and lenses

kilwar, Comfortdoc, FloydBogart, jasmineann, CherylK

GROUP DISCUSSION

Imagine for a moment that every choice you make gives more than it takes

How would the world look if we all gave more than we took?
    --  More love
    --  More energy
    --  More music-art-poetry-literature-science
    --  More food-water-oxygen
    --  More tending of the natural world

Lensmaster

Graceonline wrote...

I agree, BookGarden, but tell me, what do you think the world would be like if that were the case for everyone all the time? What do you magine it would be like to live on Earth in perfect harmony with one another and nature? How would we live? How would we earn our livings? Where would the money go if it didn't have to go for war? What type of governance would we need?

ReplyPosted February 15, 2008

Lensmaster

The_Book_Garden wrote...

Hey, we can all work towards a better world to live in. Whether it's reducing your carbon footprint or just putting a little more love out there, it all helps to make this planet a better place to live on now and for future generations.

ReplyPosted February 15, 2008

All Graceonline

All of my lenses have to do with building a better future--one where poverty, pollution, endangered species and environmental degradation are a thin memory. It can be done. It will take all of us doing our part. Join me.

What are you doing to make the world a better place?

WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO IS MAKING THE WORLD BETTER?

Tell your story. Tell theirs. Share the vision and earn $5 on your first Squidoo payout when you use this link to build your first lens. It only takes a couple of minutes to start a lens, and Squidoo is free--all the time, all ways.

Image: Squidoo button

For inspiration, check out this blog

IT'S THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE

Then come back here and build your lens

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Grameen Foundation

One very good thing

This lens helps to support the Grameen Foundation

Suggestions for the group?

Just want to leave a note?

This space is for you if you want to make a comment about the group, make a suggestion for improvement, or show your support.

Lensmaster

Graceonline wrote...

You're welcome, Semper, and thanks for the blessings. Btw, Valerie is the copyright holder of the beautiful lotus image I use as an avatar, and I am not she, tho I understand how you might get that impression. I use the image with her permission.

ReplyPosted April 08, 2008

Lensmaster

SemperFidelis wrote...

Thanks for accepting my lens Valerie. Keep up the good work on this group lens. Additionally, I given this lens a Squid Angel Blessing! ;)

ReplyPosted April 06, 2008

Lensmaster

Comfortdoc wrote...

Thank you very much for helping to spread the word about Earth Hour 2008. I'd like to see as many SquidMasters as we can (along with others) get involved.

ReplyPosted March 17, 2008

Lensmaster

Barkely wrote...

Welcome new lensmasters! This is a great group.

ReplyPosted March 10, 2008

Lensmaster

CherylK wrote...

I am so impressed with this group and all of the lensmasters who share a vision. I've so much more to learn. I'm thrilled with all the resources here on Squidoo.

ReplyPosted February 16, 2008

Lensmaster

Ms_Appleseed wrote...

What a great lens! Thank you for the invitation to join--I'm there. I have been interested in sustainable communities and eco-projects since I was in high school-a long time ago.

ReplyPosted December 13, 2007

Lensmaster

The_Book_Garden wrote...

excellent group, great to find some like-minded individuals on squidoo! I must now complete and add a few 'green' lenses I've had in development now I know there is a home for them!

ReplyPosted October 31, 2007

Lensmaster

Barkely wrote...

Thank you for adding me into this wonderful group, it is an excellent resource you're putting together.

ReplyPosted June 24, 2007

Lensmaster

watkins-lady wrote...

This looks like a wonderful group, please visit
Natural WAHM to see what I'm doing, thanks!

ReplyPosted June 12, 2007

Lensmaster

1SquidAddict wrote...

Congratulations on an interesting group and thank-you for adding my Wind Turbines lens.

ReplyPosted June 10, 2007