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| Every day, people flood into the United States seeking their American dream. But what happens when you get it and decide it’s not for you? One father, who brought his family here from Korea, has done well by American standards, but, in the process, he says he lost something very important – an appreciation for the simple things in life. Now, he’s trying to reclaim that. | |||
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For this family, eating together was unheard of – until recently.
Lydia Sohn, 19: “Before, it was all about having dinner at a restaurant.”
They’d left Korea for a better life. Sung Sohn studied to be an architect, while his wife Myra, a pharmacist, put in 10-hour days.
Sung Sohn / Myra House Retreat Center: “As we continue to live here, we realize we are not living properly. We are slowly dying.”
Chasing the American dream left them exhausted.
Myra Sohn: “I felt sorry for my daughter and my son because I did not give them time.”
After visiting a monastery, the peaceful setting inspired the couple to change their lifestyle. It wasn’t easy.
Sung Sohn: “We had to give up the TV...”
… and cell phones and new cars. Their children were appalled.
David Sohn, 18: “We put up a fight, but it didn’t go so well.”
To complete the transformation, the family spent several years – and most of their money – building “Myra House,” a retreat center near Claremont, Calif. This eco-friendly residence is home to boarders and other guests hoping to simplify their lives.
Sung Sohn: “We have about 60 kinds of fruit trees.”
Sohn, now studying to be a United Methodist minister, teaches others how to recycle, compost and live off the land. Meals come from the back yard.
Sung Sohn: “Thank you for the lesson.”
They let go of material things to grab hold of the simple things like sharing a meal.
Sung Sohn: “This is the happiest time of the day, yes.”