Continuing with the concept of permaculture, a whole-system design process based on patterns in nature, the last six principles of permaculture offer an array of creative guides for relationships with ourselves, others, and the environment.
7. Design from Patterns to Detail
When designing for patterns to details, it’s important to do some big-picture thinking. Think about how larger structures work, what they need, and how they thrive. This could pertain to simple acts like planting a garden or even planning out the next big steps in your personal life. Sometimes it’s easy to get hooked on little nuances, but if a larger structure is preplanned, then things can fall into place more readily.
8. Intergrate Don’t Segregate
Diversity works wonders. When it comes to nature, diversity is actually one of the largest keys to success. For example, think about polycultures, plants that work together, and how they create more yield through relationships. For example, think about the Three Sisters: Corn, beans, and squash. Since beans are nitrogen fixing, they help replenish the soil for both the corn and squash. The corn acts as a sturdy stock for the beans to crawl up and the squash acts as a wonderful ground cover. Planting these three crops next to each other helps each one of them individually. This concept can be applied to human interactions and help create empathy and resilience in school, the workplace, and overall communities. It’s all about working together.
9. Use Small, Slow Solutions
Think about a seed. Seeds are incredibly small and take time to grow; but, when given the care that they need, they create miraculous things. So, when it comes to thinking about your own life, it is important to realize that change takes time. Instead of trying to make formidable changes, take small steps that can help you get there; and, make sure to take care of yourself along the way. For example, try to change one thought at a time. Thoughts direct actions and actions create new behaviors that can help you obtain a goal.
10. Use and Value Diversity
Ecosystems are large and complex, just like society. However, it’s important to take note that every part of an ecosystem is critical to its very existence. So, we all must strive to value one another, despite our differences. Understanding different background knowledge, belief systems, and forms of expression can better the understand of one another, making our ecosystem stronger.
11. Use Edges and Value the Marginal
With a burgeoning human population, we must think about how much space we are actually using. Although it’s tempting to expand, think about how we can build. If there are any neglected spaces in your garden, house, or even your fridge, try to value how it could be utilized. This can also apply to more abstract concepts like relationships. If you are feeling alone or as if there is a lot of space in your day, try to reach out to another person and create an intentional bond.
12. Creatively Use and Respond to Change
Change is constant. It’s happening now and it will continue to occur thoughout all of history. Therefore, embrace change and use it to make further progress. As seen in nature, the species that learn to adapt overtime are most successful in their new environments. This means that we too must learn how to evolve around new ideas, new happenings, and new relationships.
For more information on permaculture principles, check out the websites below!