008: How to avoid burn-out + scarcity (via Permaculture Principle #2: Catch + store energy).

3/29/2014

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mentioned in this episode:

* Two working definitions of energy, for both our macro and micro experiences with it.

* Two LOWER forms of energy that we are quite addicted to.

* Two HIGHER forms of energy that we can easily implement.

* Chronic sleep deprivation, shallow breathing + unexamined habits/patterns
are exposed as energy drains that feed into other unsustainable cycles.

* The beautiful efficiency of innate wisdom + rain gardens.

* The value of auditing your life, and making a stand for your well-being.

"We need not just tinkering, but transformation of the system."

5 Comments

Jill link

3/29/2014 02:05:25 am

Good morning Erika!

I really liked the way you framed Principle #2 in a personal way...that through proper sleep or breathing, we can capture and store energy for ourselves!

I never thought about it in this way, but it's true. I recently participated in an energy healing workshop and breathing (along with at least one other action, e.g. touch or thought) is one of the ways we connect with our physical and spiritual energy.

Of course, I also think about this Principle in every day life. Like you I am an apt dweller, but would love to create a rain garden if I could.

I also recently wrote about how we as urban residents might rethink their relationship with snow (which is a form of water), and instead think about how they might catch and store it for future, beneficial use.

Take care Erika!

Erika Harris link

4/1/2014 04:15:44 pm

Jill, I thought the same thing about the accumulated snow! There were piles of it... feet high in some places... and as it melted, many basements were flooded as a result of the excessive water. Poor planning, and poor design = lost opportunities. Many of the same people who were cursing the melting snow, will be standing in their yards in just a couple months, with water hoses and sprinkling systems, hoping their grass doesn't dry out! Yes, catching + storing the water (or snow) sounds much more sensible to me :-)

I thought I'd subscribed to your blog, but I don't seem to get notifications of new posts. Will have to look into that. The article you mentioned writing is of interest to me.

Deep breaths + long sleeps,
Erika

Jill

4/1/2014 11:37:47 pm

Thanks Erika! You may not have missed anything. If you click my name on my initial comment, it will take you to the snow post.

Looking forward to the next Principle. :-)

Wisdom Seeker

3/31/2014 12:14:34 am

...BRILLIANT! ...Filled with common sense and truth!

With a voice of gentleness and authority, you remind us of the value of resources inherent in the human body -- nudging us to fully utilize this inner 'fuel' which is both renewable and f-r-e-e!

Erika, thank you for this wise message.

Erika Harris link

4/1/2014 04:21:13 pm

Wisdom Seeker, you give *the best* recaps! Thank you so much for your kind support.