July 11: Clean Water Day

[H2O Man]

{1} The drop of water
hangs from the faucet
pulsing, the heart
of the well still beating

I never drink water
Harold Elm told me
even from the sink
without saying
a prayer of thanks

the drop of water
trembles, holding
the face of all the worlds.
--Joseph Bruchac

Saturday, July 11th, is an important day for many Native Americans and other environmentally-conscious people across North America. It is a day that where people will be considering their relationship to water. You will not hear about this on the cable news shows, nor read about it in the newspapers, but it is real. Perhaps this is why you will not hear or read anything about this in the media.

Many years ago, I was selected for an assignment: to try to find the correct opportunities to carry a message about clean water to the non-tradition population in the United States. Not to try to be a "big shot," or a famous person – in fact, just the opposite. "Minnows Unlimited" is the description that I was told to keep in mind.

I have the option of selecting the manners that provide the best opportunities to appeal to water consciousness. Because I am convinced that the members of the DU community include a unique and largely untapped spring of energy, I have often posted OPs about environmental consciousness here. That has included using the poem above before, as well as repeating the imagery of a choice between a sparkling clean glass of water, and a grimy cup of sludge. (I like to think of DU as such a glass of clean water, with moderators to filter out the sludge that certain types attempt to toss in here.)



{2} "The original instructions direct that we who walk about the earth are to express a great respect and affection and gratitude toward all the spirits that create and support life. We give a greeting and a thanksgiving to the many supporters of our own lives .…the plants, the animals, the water, air, and the sun. When people cease to respect and express gratitude for these many things, then all life will be destroyed, and human life on the planet earth will come to an end."
--Hau-de-no-sau-nee; A Basic Call to Consciousness

A person can be black, brown, red, yellow, or white; male or female; young or old; conservative, moderate, liberal, or progressive; religious, spiritual, or "non-believer"; have a general or a deep appreciation and understanding of science; and on and on, and still have the same basic insight when it comes to selecting between the clean and filthy glass of water. We may use different terms to identify how we process our thoughts, but we are aware that it is essential that we protect clean water from those who seek temporary gain by exploiting the water supply.

On Saturday, I will be hosting a feast of friends, from varied backgrounds. We will engage in what might be called a water ceremony, in which people will focus on the ability of water to cleanse one’s mind and body. Other communities across the country will be doing similar exercises in awareness. I would like to ask those who are interested to participate, in whatever way that they are able to.

If you can, venture out into the natural world. Sit and enjoy the sites and sounds of a creek, a river, a pond, a lake, or the ocean. Drink and think about water. There is a power in ideas, and that power increases when more and more people are aware of the same concept – in this case, that water is the first law of life on earth.

Then, on Sunday, perhaps we can share our experiences, and compare different ideas on how best to increase environmental awareness in the greater society.

Thank you,
H2O Man

[scheming daemons]

1. Wow... your very own holiday, H2OMan....

;-)

[H2O Man]

2. Ha!

I'm not sure that it's a holiday. But maybe it is!

[H2O Man]

3. kick ..........

[rosesaylavee]

4. For some reason, I heard Oblio in my head when I read this post...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYu4uwV0-XU

Not sure if that had a point here or not. :)

We have been enjoying more rain here than usual this summer. Great for my veggies and flowers. Grateful for the weather pattern helping us at this point - but more aware this year than before of the areas of the country/the world not getting water this summer as I know that that may very well (or more likely probably WILL) be us in future years.

[H2O Man]

6. We have had

a lot of rain in this area, too. The ground isn't able to hold it all. When it gets warm, like today, it is very humid .... which is just the way I like it. (Much better than too little rain.) As a result of the water, all of the plants are doing quite well, though it takes a toll on my roses.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Very nice waterman

Very very nice. K&R.

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you.

I'm looking forward to the sun coming up tomorrow!

[hfojvt]

8. water's cool. except from the sky

"Hulk hates water from the sky"

I have a water board meeting on Monday. Maybe I will tell them about clean water day.