On a nice sunny day, this is how I see the world around me.
The actual shape, size, and transparency of these black dots and squiggly lines differ slightly, but this is the annoyance I have to live with.…
You see, some twelve years ago, I developed ‘eye floaters’ or these spots you can see in my vision. In most cases, as in mine, they are caused by the degeneration of the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside the eyes.
The onset of these was a very anxious time of my life. At first, I thought I was going blind. Luckily, that wasn’t the case, but the doctors told me there is no cure, and it will probably worsen with time. What was even more disappointing to hear was that this was an older man’s disease, something you were supposed to get later in your life, if ever.
I remember leaving the doctor’s office quite depressed and shocked with the “there is no cure for it, and with time it will get worse” part. I had a hard time accepting that I had these ‘things’ in the first place and that everywhere I looked, I saw them, and now they are here to stay, and they’ll get worse?
Life seemed unfair that this would be happening to a healthy young man. Or maybe I wasn’t that healthy?
I went straight away after the doctor’s appointment to grab something to eat at a nearby Mcdonald’s. (!)
At the time, I liked my fast food. I was a student and was going to eat there quite often.
As I ate my Big Mac with big fries, I pondered my health issue, totally oblivious that the burger I was holding in my hands could be contributing or might be causing my health problems.
Truth be told, it was my graduate year, so I was under a lot of stress, and I tended to smoke and drink a lot of sugary drinks. All of this probably contributed to my problems, but the food connection for me was less evident.
Of course, at this pivotal moment, I finally started to question my lifestyle because I got so scared for my health. My now best buddies, the eye floaters, were here no matter where I looked, ensuring that I didn’t forget about our newly founded friendship, constantly reminding me about what happens when you neglect your health.
As I got more health-conscious and health literate, I started eliminating my terrible lifestyle choices one by one. Then, once I eventually connected the dots of healthy food = healthy body, I became pretty fussy about where my food comes from, mainly because I learned how conventional agriculture produces our food and how unhealthy it is.
The more I dug into the healthy lifestyle – healthy food subject, the more something called permaculture started popping up, and yes, you guessed it, down the rabbit hole I went.
Bit by bit, year by year, after unpacking all these stories about permaculture gardens, orchards, food forests, and the abundance of high-quality food they produce, I became increasingly obsessed with integrating these into my lifestyle.
Looking holistically, it had all the ingredients necessary for healing the body and mind and living a healthy life overall.
As you work on farming chores, you are physically active and build muscles. Making you, to be blunt, less likely to die…
As you get your hands dirty, you get exposed to antidepressant microbes in the soil (not making it up, check for yourself). Making you happy…
As you eat quality food, your body is nourished with nutrients, healing phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals. Making you less prone to diseases…
As you live in tune with nature and become a producer, you are part of something bigger than you. Giving you meaning and inner peace.
I mean, where do I sign up!
So, growing food in the permaculture way was the holistic solution to all my health concerns. And, I embraced the pursuit of that kind of lifestyle with both hands!
Today, I must say that I’m grateful for my “friends” eye floaters for the wake-up call. If I hadn’t developed the illness, maybe I wouldn’t be here where I am, writing you this.
Perhaps the health “tragedy” made me who I am: pursuing the permaculture lifestyle, living a healthier life, and working on my dream of a permaculture food paradise.
If you’re like me, concerned about your health and the health of your family, then growing food in a permaculture way is undoubtedly something you should be pursuing.
In a world where our fresh food is basically tasteless, contaminated with chemicals, and carcinogenic, it’s one of the smartest moves you’ll ever make!
All right, so in closing, I’m interested in hearing about your path to discovering permaculture. What initially led you down the rabbit hole to find it and start practicing it?
Hit reply and let me know.
– William
