Water is Life

We know this statement to be true on a human physiological level but it’s also accurate on the level of local infrastructure, regional agriculture, and environmental sustainability for all living creatures (not just humans). To address the complexity of water issues is to take on a much debated, very complicated, and highly contested dilemma which impacts communities, countries, and continents globally.

Consider each individual person’s hydration needs and our ever increasing watery desires, we can definitively say that how we choose to use water makes a big difference in terms of maintaining physical health but it also directly correlates to the sustainability of our communities.

Water flow is often taken for granted-clean and crisp water is our sacred source for life-Original art print available for purchase

Water makes up more than half our body weight when we’re elderly and as much as 75% of our weight when we’re babies. To maintain proper health at least 2-3 liters of water is required daily for physiological homeostasis (balance) in the replacement of minerals and salts lost to perspiration and to facilitate the removal of toxins from the tissues of the body. The kidneys are the organs of detoxification and can only perform at their optimal level when hydration is sufficient. Drinking water and other non-alcoholic beverages are good ways to hydrate but a little known fact is that the consumption of food is a large source of how we get water in our diets (about 20%) and eating large amounts of fresh produce will offer the most hydration.

Thirst signals the body to hydrate but it’s not always present in dehydration

Not everyone senses thirst, in fact, many people don’t realize they are thirsty and will begin to feel secondary symptoms of dehydration instead. Signs of dehydration may include headaches, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, chapped lips and even dry eyes. Studies have found that elderly people tend not to sense thirst though they may be in a dehydrated state which can lead to serious health consequences such as hypotension (low blood pressure) and even stroke.

Water wars and human migration

Fresh water is becoming more and more scarce, both locally and globally. Wars are being fought over the scarcity of water while corporate water grabbing has become an increasingly problematic issue for poor and underdeveloped countries. As the climate heats up human populations struggle with entire regions of arid continents experiencing desertification (transitioning to desert) with upwards of 24% of the earth currently becoming desertified. The poorest people often cannot afford to leave their traditional lands and will suffer the loss of children and elderly to dehydration and famine through crop failure when water becomes scarce. Mass migration drives neighboring countries to attempt to mitigate the influx of desperate water refugees through either relief efforts or denial of entry to those wetter regions.

“Climate change is fueling water-induced migration, as rainfall variability in particular drives people to search for better prospects elsewhere. Seventeen of the world’s countries – home to 25% of the world’s population – are already experiencing extreme water stress.”

“The Middle East and North Africa Region encapsulates many of the issues surrounding water and human mobility. It is the most water-scarce region in the world and is experiencing unprecedented levels of forced displacement.”

Turn off the water!

Consider how many ways humans waste water through both sanitation and recreation. Performing activities such as tooth brushing, shower taking, toilet flushing, dish washing, produce rinsing, laundry doing, car cleaning impacts water resources far beyond our individual homes. Every time water runs out of the tap, hose, or pipe it has big costs, and not just on our water bills, but more importantly on our ability to sustain viable water resources in our communities. 

Important questions to ask yourself

• How clean does your car need to be, how often must you wash it?

• How quickly can you shower?

• How efficiently can you wash dishes?

• Can you brush, shave, and scrub with the tap turned off?

Consider these watery facts

• Fresh water is becoming more scarce even for traditionally wet regions. 

• Hydrating the body is one of the more important ways we can use water to sustain health.

• Eating more fresh produce is an effective way to increase hydration (and get vitamins and minerals).

• Utilizing water for growing food crops and planting shade trees to prevent evaporation is more effective for maintaining sustainable water resources rather than watering lawns (or golf courses).

Dollars make sense

Look at your water bill to compare the rate of fresh water in vs. wastewater out, you may be surprised at the breakdown of water metering. Every gallon of fresh water costs us plenty but removal of waste water is also costly. Consider using rinse water to water plants, flush the toilet less, and definitely turn off the water when you brush and scrub. 

Awareness is a solution

If we all begin to appreciate the fact that we can simply turn on a faucet and receive uncontaminated, potable water we can begin to acknowledge ways in when we can reduce our use. Consider how millions of humans living in dry regions around the world have no tap to turn on, requiring people (mostly women and children) to walk far, sometimes many miles, to retrieve just a few gallons per day of water. Every drop does counts for them and for us. 

Be grateful for the supply of fresh water but also recognize it is not guaranteed forever and it’s up to each of us to ensure the water continues to flow.

Accepting 2020 with Gratitude and Grace

The year has been turbulent for all of us to say the least. Thankfully for me there was no personal trauma, but rather a journey wrought with travails through emotional growth and happily, a challenging uphill climb to inner peace. I have no regrets and choose to look forward to each new moment while I apply the many lessons learned. Throughout the year I allowed for the knowledge gained to propel me into the next stages of my journey. I recognize that as long as I trust and acknowledge that life is not linear, it has ups, downs and many diversions from side to side, that I can see and accept the abundance of my life lessons as gifts, even the most difficult ones. I recognize that whatever happens in my life, the multitude of events and exchanges will eventually bring more significance and joy to my existence, as long as I remain awake, aware and tuned in.

Truth Matters

The truth is that it’s time to take responsibility for our own lives. Real transformation begins with intention. Not tomorrow January 1, 2021, how about right now we can set our intentions and begin to live the lives we desire.

It’s time to finally let go of fear, anger, resistance and blame. Those are our inner scapegoats and they direct energy away from our higher purpose, which is to exist in unconditional love and joy. The blame game shifts responsibility from our Selves, and takes away our personal power.

It’s time to begin to truly live a life of contentment, to experience every day as a manifestation of harmony. The responsibility lies within each of us.

Say the words, write them down.

“Right now I will…”

“…love myself more.”

“…forgive myself for not living my truth.

“…forgive others for my experience of pain.”

“…stop blaming others for my experience of pain.”

“…take responsibility for my own life outcomes.”

“…make the changes that I wish to see in my family, my neighborhood, and my community.”

“…support my body in the ways it needs to be healthy.”

“…begin to live my best life.”

Accept and Forgive

Gifts can come in the simplest of exchanges which, with time, can become profound. Don’t look away, look forward. Forgive yourself for not always acting in your truth and forgive others for not having the capacity to support you. When you begin to live in authenticity you will be met with either acceptance from those who love you, or resistance from those who do not. You can move on with your own positive life choices and leave the doubters behind to continue their own journey.

Stop the Cycles

Your mind is programmed to repeat the same disappointing stories you identify with and place blame on others for your negative emotional responses. This is Ego based survival mode and when you cultivate that behavior, you ensure the continued cycle of dysfunction in your life.

You have the ability to let go of repetitious cycles and instead reflect on your reactions to analyze the root cause of your emotional responses. It is in your emotional responses that you can identify the problem areas which need to change. Choose to modify your reactions, to be courageous and even painfully honest with yourself, as you increase your innermost awareness of your Ego.

It is not your role to convince anyone else of your personal growth, only hold yourself accountable through your transformation.

You can begin to focus on positive thinking and progressive outcomes to design your life as a beautiful manifestation of your most authentic Self. Ask for support from your family, friends and community. Allow yourself to be vulnerable with those who value you, including and most importantly, your own Self.

You are the embodiment of truth and love, believe it and it will be.

Energy Begets Energy

Energy is fuel. The physical energy we expend results in more energy cultivated, so when we move our bodies, we generate vitality, and when we remain sedentary we create stagnation. It is science, believe it.

Our emotional energy can attract more joy, pleasure and rewarding personal connections as we allow ourselves to open and expand. In contrast, when we are contracted and closed, energy sits and festers which creates irritability, anxiety, fear, discomfort, and depression. This results in our own creation of emotional dis-ease which has the ability to change our physiology on a cellular level, and can ultimately result in physical disease in the body and mental dis-ease in the mind.

Trust the One Truth

The Universe is a mystery and has the powerful ability to direct energy in synchronistic and congruent ways. As higher thinking human beings we can utilize the events that unfold before us to direct our lives and to accept those circumstances without resistance. We can easily invite gratitude, optimism and trust into each moment if we let go of the fear of vulnerability. Small choices make big changes in the way we direct our thoughts. Turn it around and reflect on your ability to choose how you perceive your world. Always remember that your reality is your own, and others (for sure) are having a different experience based on their own challenges, behaviors and thought processes.

Expansion leads to Ascension-Open your heart if you wish to rise above!

So how do we transform discomfort into empowerment?

Sit with your Self, examine the discomfort and allow it to surface as meaning. Where does the source of resistance come from? Ask the hard questions, don’t bury that which causes you pain. When we cover a wound before it has healed it becomes an infection. The only way to truly resolve a wound is to allow it to breath, expose it to the light and allow the natural processes to repair it, begin from the inside and work your way out.

We can apply that metaphor to how we heal on a physiological level as well. We know that our immune systems are strengthened by Vitamin D, which comes to us through our skin being exposed to sunlight. Expose yourself to the light and you will begin to heal and strengthen, to take control of your emotional and physical well being.

Discover the endless possibilities through personal growth. Freedom to choose joy lies within each of us and we can use our own courage to extend empathy and kindness to others. Remember that with the conscious acceptance of all that lies ahead comes the ability to thoughtfully welcome each new day.

Kat’s Mantras for Empowerment

“Embody and Extend Loving Kindness.” (daily reminder)

“I choose to reflect on my own personal growth process and reveal emotional discomfort so that I can move on and heal my Self.”

“Speak truth, Be courageous.”

“Love with a whole heart, without fear.”

“Love who I am, make no apologies.”

“Be vulnerable, especially with those that judge me the harshest.”

“Don’t be afraid to release people from my life, with forgiveness, if they cannot accept who I truly am.”

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or hold people accountable. It doesn’t matter if they like me or not.”

“I do not need validation from others to discover my own self worth.”

“In my heart I know who my allies and friends are, I honor and nurture those relationships.”

“Those who accept me will be there to support me in productive and positive ways.”

“If my ego is bruised, take heed, listen and learn from my deepest offenses.”

“Dis-identification from the ego is where I begin to heal and discover who I truly am.”

“I opt to take challenges because they bring excitement and meaning to my life."

“Take healthy risks, that is when I feel the most alive.”

“Climb the highest mountains and always take the long way home.”