It's World Water Day... and this year (2017) the theme is Why Wastewater? - which is committed to reducing and reusing (or rather recycling) waste water - maybe I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water.
I wouldn't like to wash my hands in muddy water... just as much as we dislike being splashed with the muddy waters during the rains.
Yes, there's so much water and more (even time) that we've Wasted On The Way.
And what would happen if we continued wasting water the way we do... We would all become Pyaasi.
How can we waste less water? UN Water suggests taking these simple steps –
1. Turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth
2. Turn off the tap while washing up or scrubbing vegetables.
3. Put rubbish, oils, chemicals and food in the bin, not down the drain. The dirtier your wastewater, the more energy and money it costs to treat it.
4. Collect used water from your kitchen sink or bath and use it to water your plants
5. You cans also collect and use this water to wash your bike or car.
And make sure your leaks in your taps are plugged immediately, and fix that Hole In The Bucket.
A water bearer in India had two large pots. Each hung on an end of the same pole, which he carried across his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house.
The cracked pot arrived only half full.
For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one-and-a-half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the uncracked pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
One day at the stream, after two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”
“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house.
Because of my flaws, you do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.
The water bearer smiled, and in his wisdom said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill the cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.
But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”
This story helps us remember that each of us has our own unique flaws – we are all cracked pots. But if we recognize it, we can use our flaws to bless others and ourselves. Nothing goes to waste. So, don’t be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them and you, too, can be the cause of beauty.
In our weaknesses we find our strength!
Water, a precious gift of nature. Save Water, Save the World. https://t.co/Z7d07sRWo2#SaveTheWater #HealtheWorld https://t.co/UGdf8r8nLK— Save the Water™ (@SaveTheWater) April 5, 2016
PS. For more on World Water Day, read my post from 2016 - World Water Day
