Last Sunday I attended an Amish youth singing in Lancaster County. What follows is a short account. Youth practices may vary from community to community. Not all Amish youth follow the pattern described below. In some communities, such as Holmes County, Ohio, not all youth are members of so-called “singing groups” (those who aren’t are more likely to be among the wilder youth). Amish youth…
What an honor–the book is leading off the Fast Company website today (no joke)! Check out the Amish customer tips slideshow they put together. And thanks to Cindy, Rick, and Pop for chipping in a few photos!
Recently, while in Lancaster County, I visited one of the most unusual Plain businesses I’ve come across. Two enterprising brothers have created a business destination that one would hardly expect to see in an Amish community. But with the increasing openness of Amish to technological solutions, I suppose it was just a matter of time until a shop supplying the Apple iPhone and iPod, and other…
Two contests in one day! I just mentioned the Joyful Chaos blog book giveaway (Contest #1), where you can win a free copy of my book, but here is a chance to win some cold hard Amazon cash as well. Contest #2 is easy: just read Success Made Simple, and post a review of it on Amazon. Send me an email letting me know you…
Hi everyone, and thanks for all the feedback on the semi-controversial book video. I meant to post something from here in Lancaster County much sooner, but funny thing, every Amish home I visit claims their Wi-Fi connection is down. Frustrating. As I’m on some dodgy illicit kerosene-powered land line tucked away in a tobacco barn right now, and I don’t know how much longer it…
Today’s the big day. My Amish business book is officially in stores, and if you’ve ordered, it should be shipping by now. Many thanks! If you enjoy it, please tell a friend. I appreciate all the support! Will be doing some speaking in the weeks to come, on radio and in person. Exciting. Also, there will be some print media coverage as well, starting with…
Rick shares a pair of photos from a Dover, Delaware Amish auction. This first shot gives you an idea of what legroom is like in the back of a buggy. Anyone ridden in something like this before? Not too roomy. Rick also notes that the Dover buggies have a whip holder at the front, creating an unusual “antenna” look, which you’ll notice in the picture…
“When the English get something, it’ll come to us somewhere down the line.” So says an Amish old-timer in a recent article on Amish businesses in Daviess County, Indiana, entitled “For the Amish, primary currency is hard work” (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/mar/06/for-the-amish-primary-currency-is-hard-work/). Taken by itself, he could be talking about technology or, say, the common cold. But in this case, the Amishman is referring to the economy. How…
In this final installment, Aaron Miller continues his discussion of choice in Amish society: Let me list some choices that I and other Amish people make in their daily lives. One of the first financial lessons I teach my boys goes like this. When we are about to attend a social function or community event such as an auction or local farm show or the…
One manner of thinking views Amish society as highly restrictive and devoid of most freedoms. By this view, Amish people are trapped in a harsh system which regulates nearly every aspect of their lives, leading to despair and misery. Amishman Aaron Miller previously discussed a pair of issues related to the idea of freedom–the Ordnung and Rumspringa. Today, Aaron shares his take on choice and…