Imagine waking up everyday knowing that this day is going to be just like yesterday with the exception of what you wear; what you eat. Unlike most of us, Rob lives by the same day to day routine: get up, get dressed, eat, and work, soon followed by lunch, more work and finally bed time. This is the lifestyle of what most considered a life of a Shaker. Simply put in six words, “Hands to work, heart for God”: this quote refers to the shaker practice. The author, John Newton Peck clearly proves that anyone can live in simplicity, however most choose not to because it’s takes commitment and hard work.
Among everyday citizens the Shakers, are one of the most hardworking and selfless groups of people. Within everything they do, it’s devoted to God, which is easier said than done. The shaker religion came from Mother Anna Lee, a woman of reason and hard work; she stood for what she believed in and was relentless. The very first Shaker community was in Lebanon, New York and still exists to this day. Being a Shaker boy, as Rob was, he came to realize that his ways are different from the rest of the world. He was taught many lessons by, his father was Haven Peck, unfortunately his father didn’t receive any formal education and that’s what made his father understand the importance of having an education, instead of living by experience and learning lessons by mistakes. However they balance each other out, you can’t live a well rounded life only being book smart and not be aware of what the real world has to offer. Meanwhile trying to go on in life without knowing your ABC’s and 123’s isn’t going to get you very far.
Living in the Shaker religion you learn to confide yourself in God and the long term commitment of Shaker practice. Although there are always going to be the negative side to just about anything, such as missing out on the opportunity of voting, which many take for granted and numerous restrictions that are not considered normal to the people outside of the Shaker livelihood. While reading chapter four I didn’t agree with the ideas practiced by the Shakers. Almost everything I do would be considered extra to them, like even attending a local baseball game. However, many people find certain beliefs to critize in other religions, as in the Hindu culture they praise cows, and to us it sounds funny, but if we grew up with it , praising cows would be normal.
In all walks of life there are always going to be challenges and negative obstacles though in life you reach a point where you will have to sacrifice for someone else’s well being. For me, it was the start of my basketball career in fifth grade and the try-outs for the upcoming 6th grade select teams were soon to be held. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to try –out because my brother was playing competitive basketball at the time; it would be just too difficult to balance out the same season and same sport for my mom. It was hard for me to comprehend why I couldn’t play, because I was young and didn’t see the big picture, yet eventually I came to the understanding as I got older. This reminds us of when Rob sacrificed his arm along with the rest of his body, just to save his neighbor's prize cow. Besides he didn’t even have to, he could of easily walked on by. At his age, most young boys would stroll on by, but that’s what separates Rob from everyone else, because of his religious practice.
As far as I am in this book, chapter four had talked of and about many issues, of not only
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