One of the principles of Permaculture - according to its founding father, Bill Mollison - is that in a sustainable garden system, all elements should fulfill at least two, if not three, different functions. One example would be a fruit-bearing tree that gives fruit to eat, rinds for compost, leaves for mulch, twigs for kindling, and shade for humans, animals and other plants; Or chickens which provide eggs, meat (if you eat it), manure, feathers, carbon dioxide, methane and heat for other nearby life forms. (They also promote vegetation by dispersing seeds, pollinating plants and eating insects so probably time to get some chickens!)
I started to wonder what else this could be applied to in life and to
analyse some of my daily activities in the light of whether they fulfill more than just their one, primary function. To my surprise, the three activities I picked off the top of my head all had a lot of hidden value: Creative pursuits - such as art-making in my case - provides not only a product to enjoy, share or sell, but also gives me spiritual fulfillment and relief from stress. Likewise, going to a fitness class - as well as the obvious health benefits you would expect - also provides me with social interaction (which counterbalances a lot of time working alone) and also a degree of learning. Then, of course, there is gardening which, as well as providing an aesthetically pleasant place for myself and my partner and our friends/family and pets to enjoy, gives me multiple health benefits as not only do I get to eat more tasty, home-grown, organic food but I also get exercise and relaxation into the bargain!
The perceived value of our regular activities can really go up when we analyse them in light of the varied benefits they give us and - in these days of overflowing inboxes and hectic schedules - this might help us in our daily lives to sort out where our energies are most usefully spent...Just as it does when we come to planning what to grow!
For more insight into Bill Mollison and Permaculture watch: In Grave Danger of Falling Food
With thanks for additional information for this article, to:
Permaculture-Sustainable Farming/Ranching/Living
About Permaculture
16 Jan 2009
THE ONE EQUALS THE MANY - Same work, more benefits!
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2 comments:
Cherry I like this idea of having multiple benefits of doing the things we love, and I think we're naturally drawn to them for this reason, even if we don't realise at the time.
One of my loves is salsa dancing, and it helps me stay relatively fit, provides a lot of social interaction with people, and is a huge amount of fun.
I teach too, as part of the team, which also provides a sense of community and belonging to something, as well as the satisfaction of helping people develop and also have great fun doing it.
Something I started with a mild curiosity and an attitude of "I'll give it a try for a few weeks and see what it's like" two years ago, has blossomed into a big part of my life, for many reasons. Truly a case of one activity equalling many different levels of enjoyment and fulfillment.
Dan
Dan, it could even be that approaching Salsa with such an open, curious attitude has made you more than normally aware of the possible benefits the situation offered you and so you have been able to make the most of all the opportunities that came your way through it :-)
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