Edges Are Our Fulcrum

Edges are a really important concept in permaculture. They define the boundary between one entity, or element, to another and if handled correctly they are the places where the most surprising things occur. They are places of transition, they are places of abundance and in society they are spaces for change.

Whether you are looking at natural systems like rivers or social constructs it is always when two different ideas or entities rub up against each other that gives rise to the potential for exciting things happen. It's in the space between the roots and the soil that all the microbial goodness occurs, feeding and supporting both entities. It's when the "fringe" rubs up against the main stream and they feel the need to explain their ideas that new understandings can occur. It's along the river bank or in the roots of trees that young fish grow, feed and hide. Edges are areas for exchange, where new opportunities arise simply because their existence.

Static situations don't promote growth. We grow when we take in nutrients, through an edge, the lining of our stomach. We are presented with the potential to grow when someone challenges our ideas and we are open to hearing the reasons behind their challenge. We grow when we are flexible and are willing to take in external input, to analyse it's potential to add to our world.

Change is not handed out by any powerful elite, it is built.

It's built on recognising a problem and sharing your concern. It's two people talking and sharing well thought out opinions and ideas. It's about continuing the dialogue, as long as it's a two way exchange. It's about considering your internal barriers to change rather than just reacting. It's about being open to it no matter how scary that path may seem.