At the beginning of a meeting I was asked what I am grateful for today. This morning I went to my daughter’s school for a world book day breakfast and assembly. During the assembly parents were invited to share a book that is special to them. People spoke of happy memories of reading books with Read More
At this time of year there seems to be a rush to finish projects, tie up loose ends and finalise plans. It can all seem pretty stressful. One of the ways I try and reduce my stress is by reframing these ‘deadlines’ into lifelines. What many people don’t realise is that the term ‘deadlines’ reputedly Read More
During the Social Permaculture course in September we spent an afternoon engaged in a design process for how we might expand Social Permaculture. We started with visioning what that might look like, and worked out in zones starting from our own zone 00, then in our families and close relationships, moving out to groups, and Read More
Over a year ago, in March 2014, Andy Goldring (CEO of the Permaculture Association) gave an inspired and excited talk at the LAND gathering about the International Permaculture Convergence coming to the UK in 2015. Eighteen months away and it seemed very distant, but now it is just round the corner. He set those of Read More
On a recent course I asked people to write reviews of my books. I bemoaned the fact that although I receive a lot of lovely feedback from my readers via email and facebook messages these comments are not shared with others as reviews, despite me asking. An idea came to run a review competition. This Read More
About 10 days ago I made the decision to close down my fair trade business Spirals of abundance. Although the final decision came quickly I guess I had been mulling over the possibility in my mind for quite a while. Many people have been asking me why am I closing down? So I thought I’d Read More
It’s over a month now since the accreditation for my Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design. Although I have been busy since then, I have tried to take some time to think about the process, what I got out of it and where I’m going. Most of this reflection has happened whilst I’ve been walking my Read More
In one of Donella Meadows lectures she introduced the trap of systems where there is ‘success to the successful’. Otherwise known as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. This happens when there is a reinforcing feedback loop and so the more success you have, the more you can have. My daughter was Read More
Over the last week I have been doing the final proof read for my new book 7 ways to think differently. It’s reminded me of when Kevin McCleod asks questions at the end of Grand Designs, when people are sitting in the lovely new kitchen they have built. Has it all been worth it? What Read More
The last month has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for us. A 57 acre site nearby went on the market, due for auction at the end of April. It was a beautiful site, with woods, pasture and stunning views. We resonated strongly with the land and really thought we had found an amazing Read More