I recently subscribed to the Yoga Journal, and a couple of days ago my very first issue finally arrived. Overall, I found the magazine to be very enlightening and interesting, with its mix of fitness advice, spiritual accounts, and current world concerns.
This issue was titled “The Blue Issue” and had a particular focus on the significance of Earth’s water from a cultural, spiritual, and ecological perspective. I enjoyed reading about water-inspired meditations and individuals’ experiences growing up on beaches, etc, but what jolted me most was all of the education on how much we as humans are destroying this essential ingredient to our planet’s functioning.
When I hear about how damaged and doomed our precious Earth is, I sometimes find myself feeling overwhelmed with helplessness and guilt. I know that major changes must be made, and I wonder if there is anything I could possibly do to help. It is understandable that so many of us come to the conclusion that the problem is just too big and out of control for us to deal with.
What I appreciated most about the articles in this Blue Issue of Yoga Journal was its focus on what we can do to help. Our individual efforts may make small impacts, but they can still be meaningful. After all, yoga teaches that everything is interconnected. And I remember from basic math class, things can add up. I loved how the articles didn’t focus on how we as humans are bad and deserve to bask in guilt, but instead simply offered steps on how we can mobilize from a place of love and appreciation for our planet.
To empower readers, this Yoga Journal issue offers tons of information on how it’s not too late to have a positive impact and that we as individuals can be part of the process. More specifically, one article provided an extensive list of actions we can all take. I plan to be as mindful as I can about our trying planet and its endangered water supply. As someone who has a public voice (albeit small), I thought I’d try to help by sharing some of the most feasible suggestions.
After all, what is more valuable, sacred, and critical than water?
Check out these tips, and please share any others that you know of!
Go blue!!!
- Participate in beach clean ups – check out oceanconservatory.org/cleanup for more information
- Cut back your water foot print – learn more at h2oconserve.org
- Reduce your fish consumption – according to National Geographic, we’ve extracted 90 percent of the fish population – yikes!
- Improve showers – spend less time in there and use aerating showerheads
- Buy water-less clothing – check out Levi’s options at levi.com/waterless
- Make donations to organizations like charitywater.org, water.org, the waterproject.org
- Buy organic cotton – cotton is a water-intensive crop and when farmed with pesticides, it can cause major pollution problems in the water ways
- Use fish-friendly, green cleaning supplies
- Drain your laundry water into your garden – learn more at greywateraction.org
- Cut back on plastic – use recyclable shopping bags
- Recycle – especially electronics
- Educate yourself through books and films (suggestions – watch FLOW and read Water Matters: Why We Need to Act Now to Save Our Most Critical Resources)
- Educate and inspire others to contribute their efforts
- Invest in new toilets that use less water
- Choose oil-free energy when possible
- Honor, love, and enjoy the many gifts that water has to offer
Beautiful Playa del Carmen, Mexico!
Yes – great post and I also really appreciated the Yoga Journal Blue issue and the links and info about things you can do! Need more of it!! Thanks