Can we learn something from the Shakers?

The shakers lived so simply. Everything they did was a gift to God; practical and perfect – they sought to do everything with the perfection Christ requires of us: Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

What can we pull from this?
What can we apply to our lives that will bring us closer to God?

No, the dancing doesn't do it for me (but clearly they had extravagance somewhere in their lives - it wasn't all hard corners and frugality (and rhyme & reason!)).

No, the lack of marriages doesn't do it for me.

But their way of life.
They depended on one another - a true community.
They didn't turn anyone away.
They were always prepared for seasonal changes and other climatic possibilities.

While I do not agree with several tenets of their faith (anything that is radically different from the previous 2000 years and can't accord with that history is questionable in my eyes - there is always some sort of preparation for anything new and different), I can appreciate their devout lifestyle. They truly lived what they believed, in a way that put them in harmony with those around them.