Gratefulness for Water

Whether your score on the quiz was “Poor. You barely think beyond your kitchen tap – which you usually leave running” or “Not bad. Your bath’s at least half full when it comes to water knowledge,” this quiz contains startling news that hurts us to hear. Imagine 1.1 billion people not having access to safe drinking water. And 50 percent of our rivers being seriously polluted. These stark facts are a far cry from the simplicity of your walk in the woods with which this practice began. Where do we start to redress these imbalances?

We might begin by translating into action the water metaphor of a Sufi master, Hazrat Inayat Khan: “It is a patient pursuit to bring water from the depth of the ground; one has to deal with much mud in digging before one reaches the water of life.” We will not bring about change in any simple, single act. But our steady digging away at the problem, without losing heart, will help us reach our goal. And working together speeds the process immeasurably.

You may want to take a look at a listing of worldwide organizations, to let yourself be inspired by the myriad of ways in which dedicated human beings address the water needs of earth. You might even want to volunteer your help or use these ideas to get a project started in your own backyard.  Water Conserve shows groups which, each in their own way, work for education, aid, and research to preserve the precious gift of water.