I just love the wisdom of permaculturists. Systemic thinking. Symbiotic solutions. Healthy soil, clear view on energy, and integrating practical observations. They are telling the truth in a clear and concise way.

It’s how I came to understand the world. It’s how I find honest, practical solutions for my personal life.

Whoever thinks that permaculture is just a form of natural gardening, think again. It’s wisdom for our earthly and human future in all aspects.

Earth Care. People Care. Fair Share.

It’s the one and only Future Care. So, how about climate change and CO2? Matt Powers is very direct…

POETRY

Shall I lie on barren soil?
No mattress, no cushion,
just me and Mother?

I hope she will remember me
comfort me, hold me,
whisper her wisdom into my ears
so it can merge with my longing
for vast horizons
and changed realities.

The dark forest
where I put my body to rest
is frighteningly chaotic at first.

A dense, devilish maze
and I fear getting lost.

Sister moon pulls me,
nudges me, laughs at me
and when I see a tiny star
through a hole in the foliage,
I know I’m not alone.

Terrifying sounds become chatter
of familiar insects…

CLIMATE CHANGE

Tiny houses have my fascination. I would love to live in one. Somewhere in nature, off-grid. Simple but sturdy and beautiful.

So, I share my knowledge about tiny houses with my network of influential changemakers worldwide. Government leaders, business CEOs, and sustainability professionals react, interact and hopefully learn how to think in systems like I do, and take their own personal next steps.

There’s a big tiny house movement out there. And in Holland, more and more municipalities see the advantage of this way of building and attaching people to care for the land again. Care matters. We all care…

WRITING

I write quantity. I write quality. And after 2 years of writing for a niche audience, I have passed the 5K followers. But so far, my earnings have stayed kind of the same. They passed the magic boundary of $100 rather quickly, but after that; it remained kind of constant.

For me, that’s a pity, but I just know it is a matter of time so I keep at it. Sharing my visions, my experiences, and my ever more adventurous life. Sharing every day on LinkedIn too and earning the rest of my income from other projects in the regeneration…

World Politics

This is not a pretty post. But it’s an honest one about what is happening in the world right now. To borrow the words of umair haque, economist and writer of ‘Betterness, economics for humans’:

“This post is going to make some of you angry, chill some of you, and make some of you weep with despair. You should.” — Covid Apocalypse

And he is right. His apocalyptic way of writing is not my style. But Umair and I and other economists do write about exactly the same things. And I do need to face his urgent call to action…

TRAVEL

One month in Ibiza and the magic is in full flow. I never thought it would be such a special, magical island. I had an image of mass tourism and party fun for young people. I imagined my countrymen Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, and Sunnery James DJ-ing their heads off. The rich and famous in second homes, cruising the Mediterranean with their yachts.

But of course, COVID changed much here too.

And COVID aside, the reality of Ibiza is completely different than what I imagined. For me, it is an island of great natural beauty. Scenting herbs in the forests…

POETRY

My vertigo-filled genes
enhance my fear of mountains.

They store my father’s fears,
my mother’s monumental memories,
and my early childhood’s
shivers and shame.

I am a Lowland’s Girl.

Created in Belgium,
born in the Netherlands,
I am a river bedding of clay.

Low and flow.
Vortex and grow.
Ending up in the longing
for vast oceans
and exotic shores.

Sand dunes are my highest mountains,
with a strong foothold of sinking sand.
Embracing my feet
like a close-fitting dress
of Gaia’s choosing.

Mountains are my destiny now. …

POETRY

A heavy heart is laughed away
by careless friends now knowing

A heavy heart is toxically turned
into socially accepted smiles

A heavy heart is dumbed down
by those who do not cry
who do not rant
who do not jump for joy

A heart may be heavy
your heart may be dark
my heart may be
drunkenly drowned

And the moment my heart
becomes healthily balanced,
you’ve used fairy feathers

The magical powers of feathers?
They carry birdsong
zipped together

Gaia’s symphony

Ruffled feathers are never perfect
Ruffled feathers allow heavy and light
Ruffled feathers bring careful awareness
Ruffled feather carry love…