After considering the previous post “How Would You Live On Only 10 Liters of Water per Day” I wonder if you were struck, as I was, with a heightened sense of appreciation for the amazing convenience and abundance of tap water in your home?

Were you also, (even a little) uncomfortably reminded, that there are billions of others living a lifestyle in stark contrast to your own? I certainly was.

Your heart goes out to them all, doesn’t it?

“Can I make a difference here?” you may wonder; but then so often life’s immediate pressures exert themselves and the thought is gone. Even if you do have time to consider longer, most of the time you feel powerless to affect any positive change. 

A couple of years ago I saw an inspiring documentary called “Ryan’s Well” really helped me to shift this feeling of powerlessness. I’ve included a clip (further down) of the first 10 minutes because I want you to be inspired too. 

Ryan Hreljak was only 6 years of age (!!!) when he was first inspired to action after hearing of the plight of so many in the world without access to clean water……. (my goodness, where was my head at when I was six!?)

He did extra jobs at home and inspired classmates and others, to eventually raise the total funds needed to establish a well in a small village in drought-stricken Uganda. His persistence and vision eventually inspired most of Canada to join with him. This was just the beginning of Ryan’s lasting legacy.

Take the 10 minutes needed to watch this and let your own vision for a healed world be nurtured and uplifted.

The full version of the movie can be seen online for 1 British Pound
 http://www.booserver.com/projects.php?ProjectID=1430

B.T.W. Ryan just completed Grade 11 and is now 17 years old and continues expanding his vision. 

The Ryan’s Well Foundation has to date 
established 432 wells in fifteen countries,
bringing clean water and sanitation
services to over 577,000 people.

I encourage you to check out the work of the Ryan’s Well Foundation at http://www.ryanswell.ca/

Additional Thoughts:
One of the main principles shared by natural healing, holistic health and systems focussed on sustainability, is that of considering much more than just any one, isolated part of a specific system.

Whether it is regarding the human body, humanity as a whole, or the environment, it’s about considering the entire system, because all are inter-related.

With this view, no one part of humanity can be hurting without the rest of the body of humanity being affected by it. That is why we are so moved when we become aware of the pain of others. That is why I believe it is so important to begin to shift the general concepts of separateness on the world stage, and move more towards focusing on what joins us together as one humanity.

Ryan’s story is a touching example reaching out in this way, and of how we each can make a difference when the desire and vision is there ….. one small step at a time. 

  “We thrive and survive on planet earth
as a single human family.
And one of our main responsibilities
is to leave to successor generations
a sustainable future.”
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi A. Annan

Isn’t it always the extremes in life that most stimulates that feeling of appreciation in your souls? It is the sharp contrasts that really grab your attention and cause you to feel; eg. you rarely see more clearly the value of something near and dear to you, than when it suddenly disappears.

The first step towards making any change towards something better, is waking up to the fact that a change is needed.

“Everyone understands that water is essential to life.
But many are only just now beginning to grasp
how essential it is to everything in life –
food, energy, transportation, nature, leisure,
identity, culture, social norms,
and virtually all the products used on a daily basis.”
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Till next time …… may you have abundant, clean water in your life.
Cheers,
Sven

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