Discover the Power of A Tiny Change
Working for good is actually easier than working for money. Working for good makes us feel valued, empowered and connected. The work doesn’t have to be on a monumental scale. In fact, tiny changes can actually save a lot of money and do a heap of good.
A fundamental principle of permaculture is to start small and be successful. Small steps give us time to observe, interact, adjust and enjoy the change. A great example of the power of tiny changes can be demonstrated in the mindset of cutting food waste.
Cutting waste and turning it into a resource can take just a tiny change. This tiny amount of work will build a huge resource. In fact, cutting waste can take less power than not cutting it. If we buy less, we cart less food and less packaging, we start to eat less,we carry less fat, we go to the doctor less and we have more energy.- We will actually eat less because the food we choose to buy can be slightly more expensive per kilo. We stop buying on the basis of value from bulk purchasing and start buying with the mind to minimise waste. Because we waste less we can afford better quality food. The food can be more nutritious, not just economical.
We then feel the desire to eat less in volume because we get better nutrition from the better food. And so our better future begins.- As a bonus, if all the waste is noted and recycled on site it becomes our resource and not a burden. The waste is suddenly visible. If we pledge to use a tiny amount of time converting the waste. We are not letting it be a burden in someone else’s neighbourhood. Our waste becomes our resource. In some cases, the tomatoes we throw out into our compost bay, will suddenly sprout and provide us little tiny tomatoes for brunch. The cycle branches out.
- When we make careful choices about what foods we will put in our mouths, we are sending signals to farmers that we value good produce and value their efforts to find ways to bring us good food without harming us or the environment.
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”― Dalai Lama XIV
Building A Better Future
Most people have no home. Most people work all their lives and have very few savings. They need savings as they age or they can’t get medical help, not even a wheelchair or food. Around the globe there are countless homes sitting empty and abandoned. Why is the land abandoned? Why have the people gone? Why do we sour the land with chemicals or by fracking or by climate change. Every person sees the changes.
“When we have land we can build a home” Thongmai
Thongmai saw the city life entrapping her. They worked and made money but could never afford a home. Thongmai moved back to the village and has made 100 earth homes for many people. She fights to educate people about the harmful effects of chemicals and is building security and education opportunities for many.
“When we have seed, we can grow food” Thongmai
This is where permaculture steps up to demonstrate how design can be applied to growing food, building a healthy landscape and regenerating the land.
Next time you sit down to cuppa, imagine how good it would feel, and how cheap it would be, if that cuppa came from your own potted plant or your own neighbourhood.
Learn more about Permaculture with us. We nurture our students and aim to build a better future for all.
