Buen vivir
Similar to guyub, Ecuador’s concept of buen vivir (pronounced bwen vee-veer) puts family and community above the self. The phrase directly translates to “the good life” or “good living,” and it focuses on health, a positive relationship with nature and a solid communityOpens a new window..
Buen vivir implores you to put less weight on what you own or how much money you have, and more emphasis on the relationships you build and the inner circle you embrace. In buen vivir, community is about more than just friends and family; it also encompasses plants, animals and Mother Earth. It’s thought that this support system can truly surmount any tragedy.
The best thing about buen vivir is that it’s a social philosophy that can be implemented by anyone. Whatever your location, socioeconomic status, age or occupation, you can implement buen vivir by making a concerted effort to build, or rebuild, meaningful relationships. Other ways to cultivate buen vivir include doing something nice for a neighbour who needs help, such as shoveling a walkway or mowing grass, or getting a plot in a community garden as a way to socialize while connecting with the land.
From Sweden to Japan and Ecuador to Indonesia, it’s clear that countries the world over have figured out the importance of living a simple, contented life, and by integrating these concepts into your own routine, you can, too.