Category Archives for "Money"

0 Permaculture Principle 7 – Design From Patterns to Details

The permaculture principles of patterning emphasizes the benefits of working from the general to the specific. It is akin to finding your purpose in life and then going about finding a way to manifest it. In a Permaculture system, the natural patterns in nature form the basis of the design.  

Blame Nature
Nature constantly creates breathtaking landscapes that man has no hand in.  These beautiful landscapes follow a greater natural order creating their pleasing aesthetics and consistent balance.

Mimic the Original
If we are going to mimic the natural world, we need to understand that nature is using patterns and cycles to maximize the benefits of interconnecting systems.  Our first goal then is to look deeper into…

0 Permaculture Principle #6 – Produce No Waste

This principle’s name says it all. Undoubtedly you are starting to see how the principles are woven together to support the greater whole. Creating no waste seems like such a simple concept that it’s easy to dismiss. However, we are wasteful beings, and we must consciously be aware of the waste we create.

It’s not enough that we all agree that producing less waste is a promising idea but understanding doing so is a complex problem.

In our personal lives, we can easily see ways in which we can immediately reduce or stop wastefulness such as by sharing the abundance from our gardens, lowering the heat to use less energy, or not wasting money by overpaying for products and services.

This is not a mindset of scarcity but one of responsible management of resources.

0 Permaculture Principle #5 – Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services

Give and Take

This design principle ties neatly into the idea of self-regulation discussed in the previous principle. As with any relationship, there is give and take as in like the one which we have with the Earth. The Earth’s various ecosystems naturally provide us with the renewable resources we need to live.

If used prudently and protected, they will regenerate themselves indefinitely, remaining intact for future generations. To live sustainably within this framework, it is important to understand how to use renewable resources appropriately. 

Balance

Recognizing that not using resources to their fullest potential is as wasteful as overconsuming less abundant resources. 

Important in Permaculture design is creating systems that take advantage of high-yielding resources.  In an efficient system, if possible, every element will serve…   

0 Permaculture Principle #4 – Apply Self-Regulation & Accept Feedback

Taking Responsibility

We must strive to take 100% responsibility for our lives and actions to achieve self-reliance. To thrive we need to condition ourselves to get good at detecting feedback, and self-regulating. Better to smell the smoke before you feel the fire. We must limit the behaviors that have damaging consequences to ourselves, others, and the planet.  

 It’s really a matter of what goes around comes around, if you act thoughtlessly and ignore the consequences you most likely will have a difficult life.

Instead, turn the idea of “self-regulation” from one of restrictiveness to one that challenges you to give birth to innovative solutions. 

Asking creative, probing questions and testing assumptions you can discover you are powerful beyond your own comprehension to contribute to the solving of any number of the challenges facing the planet today. 

Create More Than You Consume  

It’s about finding flow through creating more than you consume…

0 Permaculture Principle #3 – Obtain a Yield

The Why

Yield is what motivates and keeps us connected to our work in a meaningful way. In its most basic sense, it is about seeing results. Under this principle, a well-designed system will obtain the maximum yield in the smallest amount of space for the least amount of effort.

Self-Sufficiency & low maintence

A fantastic way to recognize a real tangible yields and keep you on the road to self-sufficiency is growing your own food. Composting, companion planting, and natural pest control can produce more food on less land. It has the added advantage of building soil fertility faster and requires a fraction of the water and fertilizer that a traditional garden does. 

This design principle highlights the importance of a low-maintenance system. Selecting plants that support each other and promote healthy soil is important but if they require daily maintenance they won’t fare well in the effort/yield ratio…