"The process was more important than the plan itself."  We are (finally) completing La Huerta's 3-part Series.Part 1 with Imogene Ellis is here. Part 2 with Sara Ellis is here. And here we have Patricia Bon, who has returned home to Brazil since we recorded this conversation several months ago. Have you ever thought about how many people there are between your mouth, and your meals? There are growers, harvesters, packagers, shippers, sellers and, finally, the eater. In this episode, the first part of my conversation with Pat gives a global glimpse into a primal and culinary connection to food. The journey curves to pick up knowledge in agroforestry, and then a paradigm-shifting permaculture design certification. Pat then brought all of that experience to her Master's level studies in urban planning, and in The Remediation Project that she led at La Huerta Roots and Rays Community Garden. Our conversation voices the potential, and challenges, of the community planning process. Pat is a tireless inspiration whose life and leadership reminds us that, "We can do it. We just need to work." This project transformed contaminated land, it created multiple food systems, and it stimulated a number of close-knit communities. I trust it inspires in us a beautiful sense of what's possible. The 7th Permaculture Design Principle.The 7th Permaculture Design Principle advises us to "Design from patterns to details." A pattern is a repeated form or design. Slice an orange in half. That starburst design that radiates outward is its pattern:  Your first response when you are angered or hurt, is a pattern. The flow of traffic on weekday mornings, the increase of crime in Chicago when it's hot, birds migrating in the autumn, people getting the shopping crazies every November and December... these are all repeated forms. Patterns. Some, like migration, occur naturally. Others, like spiked crime, occur because of bad design.
To some degree, we are each the designer of our own life. So pay attention to the patterns that emerge in your relationships with others, your finances, your health and your happiness, and consider how you can design more ease, beauty or efficiency into the details. What's a pattern in your life you'd like to redesign? Erika, really enjoyed your interview with Patricia Bon. After taking a permaculture course, I know exactly the feeling you both describe of thinking "Permaculture provides solutions to many issues that are entirely doable RIGHT NOW! Why aren't they utilized more often??" (my instructor referred to this shift in perspective as acquiring a set of permaculture goggles). 9/18/2014 04:15:54 am
Goggles. Life obsession. Career re-orientation. Yes, yes and yes! I am ever-grateful for your shared passion and companionship on this regenerative journey, Jill. Comments are closed.
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The question "How are you?" is PROFOUND. But it has been watered-down to a synonym for "Hello." Forced or fake auto-responses of obligated okay-ness are expected. (And if you are going through something tragic, it really doesn't matter! Every social encounter OPENS with this well-established Ritual of Insincerity.) The question "How are you?" prompts an answer that begins with "I AM _____________." This means many times each day, you are invited to SPEAK THE MOST POWERFUL STATEMENT that can be spoken of yourself. And the socially-expected thing to do, is be QUICK + SLICK with your answer. For a change... TAKE YOUR TIME, and tell your truth. ✍🏾 |