A barn raisin’ is not a shriveled treat found on the floor of a barn, but what communities used to do when one of their members need a warm place to stash their cows and oats. Building a barn is always a big job, but in the pre-power tools days of the 18th and 19th century the process was especially daunting. Even for strong country boys and girls barn raising was not a solo sport and several burly pairs of arms were needed to raise much of anything.

Back in the day all able bodied community members were required to participate in barn raisings and those who did not suffered community banishment and all around shunning. The process usually took at least a couple of days and nobody was paid. But it wasn’t all grunting and asking Cousin Edgar to pass the bucket of nails, because a barn razing also provided rare social opportunities for far flung community members to get together, feast and have a good ole’ time (I like to imagine there were fiddles involved).

Helping someone move is the modern day equivalent of barn raising. Which begs the question why would most of us rather hide ourselves in a box all day then help someone move? Why does the modern world leave people to raise their own sad, little lonely barns or hire some sweaty stranger to help?

What are we working out for anyway if not to build strong bodies capable of bounding up steps even when weighed down by heavy boxes of books? What’s the point of lifting a barbell if you can’t (or won’t) lift a couch? Unless you have a physical job, helping someone move is one of the few chances we get in our modern world to put our lovely muscles to productive use. Thought of in a slightly more historical perspective moving is an opportunity to use our skills and muscles, get together with friends and build community spirit. And don’t forget the beer and food enhanced celebration when the final box has been unloaded!

So don’t miss out on the next opportunity to help a friend, flex your stuff and dine on free beer and pizza. Just remember, lift with your legs, not your back and ask for help with the heavy or slippery stuff.

*Mennonite and Amish communities still practice community barn raising. Cool.