I am a firm believer that everything we do should be based on noble values. When all of our deeds are tied to values, we build something stable, something that lasts and flourishes. It is said that every action starts with a thought and that we should keep our thoughts sweet and pure. “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” This is, By the way, why I like to think about gardens.
In this blog-post I will touch on an essential value and principle that marks my chosen life path and, in a minute, you will see how this value relates so strongly to – how not – soil. Why do I find soil fascinating? Because soil is lowly and humble. Despite its meek stature It is the factory that builds all living molecules. Paradoxically, soil builds all the wonders of nature and design, including humans. Super-power nations invest so much in outer space research with the goal of gaining leading power and prestige. They look up to the heavens seeking to raise themselves above other nations not realizing that right under their feet they are losing the battle, as did great civilizations of the past that collapsed due to depletion of their soil, deforestation causing soil erosion and other ecological disruptions. Crop failure, decreases in yields and crops dull in nutritional value weakened and retarded the progressing Greeks. When their soil was fertile, they reached the heights of Olympic achievements, peace, philosophy and democracy. By not knowing how to honour their soil and value their ecosystems their crops became nutritionally dull, leading them to wars, rebellions and discord which led in turn to the rise of the Roman Empire and to much farther depletion in values. Another example is the Maya civilization. Around 800AD, their rapid deforestation and increase in population caused drought and heightened temperatures. These led to susceptibility to diseases, high mortality rates and wars that resulted in the collapse of their advanced culture. If we want to truly progress, we can look at horticultural practices of indigenous cultures. Not farming for greed and power they were and perhaps are able to create agricultural systems that resemble gardens rather than mass production fields. We should be able to develop our own community gardens to feed ourselves. With a goal of building systems that improve over time. In our day, we as designers look down beneath our feet with the reverence of star-filled skies above us and humbly work to give strength to mother earth and to all her children. We do this to build each other up. For clean air, clean food, clean water and great natural systems for the future generations. Let us explore these new possibilities provided by nature for the benefit of all.
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Sharona GorenAvid gardener. Experimenter. Striver. Nature lover. Seeker. Archives
December 2022
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