Permaculture definitely values flexibility. If a plant isn’t doing well in one place, then move it somewhere else. If something was built poorly, learn from it, and fix it. Stubbornness and intractability are not virtues in the permie mindset. However, permies are careful in how they do things. A permie spends a lot of time observing and thinking. It is not reactionary. The only way to make positive changes is with thoughtful consideration before doing them. Many permies have a spot on their property that they use for this purpose, to slow down, observe, and think. You may notice something important you may have missed otherwise. The phrase for this principle is, “Vision is not seeing things as they are but as they will be.” A permie needs to know where they are going, what the goals are, and what it takes to get there. Let’s say you are on a boat out in the middle of the ocean. You need to know three very important things. First, you need to know where you came from. Secondly, you need to know why are out there in the first place. What needs to change? What is so important about this journey? Lastly, you need to know where you are going. People who make mistakes are usually missing one of these vital components. It is easy on the permaculture journey to forget why you are working and what you are working towards. If you are someone who loses sight of your goal easily, then print out your design and hang it up where you can look at it frequently. Let it inspire you. It will remind you of your vision. What is your vision? In other words, what is your mission statement? When you get caught up in life, and you forget, have your mission statement to refer back to. It will keep you grounded so you can look forward.
It is easy to look at a mess of weeds, broken fences, or simple nothingness and be discouraged. Surely, I am not judging you when I say that. People like Joel Salatin are considered permie visionaries because they were able to see what they wanted to create, how they eventually wanted it, and not forget that sight. Polyface has accomplished huge things in the world of sustainable agriculture. You may be thinking, well, I’m not a Joel Salatin and I don’t own Polyface. There is no reason what you can’t be like Joel Salatin and create a Polyface. Even if you live in a suburb in the middle of Dallas. For a permie, you might as well dream big. It may take you twenty years to get there, but that is okay. Be creative. Thoughtfully respond to challenges and changes. It has rained in my part of Texas more in the past year than in the past 10-15 years. I have an inundation of water I will probably never have again, but I need to work with it now, so I am creatively responding to changes. I never thought I would have too much water in central Texas, but I do now. I am building catchment ponds and swale systems I never considered two years ago. Stuff happens. Work with it. A permie must be creative and flexible. You never know what nature might throw at you. Comments are closed.
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Rebecca Burrow
I am a Christian permie designer trying to spread the word about Christian land stewardship through permaculture. I like goats a lot. Maaaaaaaah. Archives
September 2016
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Burrow Permaculture Consulting | Permie Blog |