What is the best thing about hippiedom?

That is pretty much the underlying responses to this thread.

It is not just about the dope and long hair and other appearances. In fact, historically, there were Bohemians, BeatNiks, what have you that were living the lifestyle before that mass of young ppl made the Hippie fenomenon.

I have a history of being a Hippie, but now I'm just an old guy with close-cropped hair and beard, who goes to work and doesn't do dope. But I still have that free spirit way of thinking.

I'm a nudist (an outcropping of 1970) unapologetically turned on by young men and women (not just sexually but their energy and new explorations) and I still voice my opinions openly without regard to what is socially acceptable or politically correct. Is that a Hippiedom or just something older than Henry David Thoreau.

 

You're just getting old man!. No seriously being yourself without fear of ridicule or intolerance by others is pretty much the key. The way you dress, lead your life whatever can change due to circumstance but your way of thinking is so important. Keep the faith!

 

It's also about responsibility and actions. Words mean very little. I realized somewhere along the line that most of the people who called themselves "hippies" back then were really just lazy, irresponsible leeches. They talked a good game, and they wanted the sex, drugs, and rock n' roll, but they didn't want to do anything to take care of the earth or work to make the world a better place.

That was when I left the scene for a few years. I became a teacher. But I never lost my hippie ideals, and so I got involved with environmental organizations and the Susan B. Komen Foundation. I also worked with child advocacy programs. You can't do everything, as much as you'd like to. You have to pick something and go for it.

I live a free life now, and I look back and I feel happy that I was able to accomplish some good. And even though I still work with my causes, I don't criticize anyone who doesn't feel the desire to get involved. There's nothing wrong with "dropping out".

But don't call yourself a "hippie" if you're just talk and no action.

I don't do drugs anymore, either. Well, maybe every now and then. My body is less tolerant of things like that, but that's part of getting old. Getting old is actually quite nice, except physically ... lol. That part sucks.

Freedom, love, joy, family ... and having the power to make changes or to do good things. Those are the best things about hippie life. Those are also the best things about life in general.

 

The lack of membership dues.