Drink It Up

I’m known for walking around my house in the early morning hours, collecting water bottles that are empty, almost empty and mostly full. It’s, in part, some undiagnosed OCD thing, I’m sure. But, in all honesty, I feel like I’m accomplishing three things that are somewhat empowering to me. I a) drink lots of water which is great for my aging skin b) knowing that many countries are without clean water (or, water period), I don’t waste what we’ve been so blessed with and c) I joyfully toss every single glass or plastic water bottle in the recycle bin which makes me feel like I’m somehow saving our environment (yes, cape and all). It’s like being Bobby Brown (makeup extraordinaire), Mother Theresa (saint and voice for the underprivileged) and the female version of Al Gore (championing ways of reversing the negative effects of industry on our environment.) I mean, gees, I should feel empowered.

But, today, as I sucked down the last drop of water from the last water bottle in my home, I thought, “What if I did this with life. You know, what if I DIDN’T WASTE A THING.” Overwhelmed by the weight of that epiphany, I sat down on my bed completely and totally awestruck. I thought about how I live from day to day and how much I take for granted the copious amounts of opportunities and blessings each day holds. A great example of this is my friend, neighbor and She-Ro, Barbie. She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother of triplets, friend to millions, caregiver and innkeeper for every kitten, cat or dog that comes into her presence without love or care, volunteer, employee of two or three different jobs and an ultimate fighter in the ring against breast cancer since December of 2014. And, yet she still has time to ask you about your day, send encouragement your way and, well, just make your life that much better. I swear, if I did’t love her so much, I would totally envy her (as a side note, she’s beautiful, smart and funny). I often think, “How in the world do we, you know, the rest of us slackers, do what she does?” And, the answer quickly finds its way to me. We savor life. We don’t miss a thing. We’re in the moment. We’re in the opportunity. We’re blessed by the presence of mind and, thus, experience.

Often, you hear people pose the question, “How would you live if you were going to take “the big trip” tomorrow?” Think about what your answer would be. And, whatever your answer is, I can assure you of this- you would be present, taking it ALL in, not missing a thing. You wouldn’t need a selfie stick to capture the moment or the perfect filtered photo on Instagram to commemorate it. No, you would just be in it, savoring it, drinking life up.

Friends, wherever you are today and whatever it is that you’re doing, I hope this little epiphany moves you to action like it’s moved me. Life is so precious and so darn short. We live with the mindset that we have an endless supply of Smart Water or, more importantly, time. But, water like time is a precious, precious resource. Recalibrate today and think about how you’ll move forward knowing this. More time on social media or more time actually connecting with people you care about? House of Cards, Season Three bender or volunteering your time to help someone in need? Negative thinking and self destructive thoughts or positive thinking and empowering thoughts for yourself and your life’s purpose? The choice is up to each of us, and, remember, it’s definitely a choice.

I’m feeling pumped up, empowered, grateful and like my bladder is about to erupt given all the water I’ve chugged this morning. I see you smiling and I hear you laughing. Make today a day worth living.

Stay Divine,

JL PARISH