By Jane Bauer

We are created in water—amniotic fluid is about 98% water. Throughout our lives, water will continue to pull us, not just through thirst, but through longing. Most of us harbor a desire to be near the ocean, a lake, or a river. A swim in a body of water is curative.

Water holds deep spiritual significance across religions, symbolizing purity, life, and renewal. Yet, despite its sacredness, we often fail to honor it. In Christianity, water is central to baptism, representing cleansing and rebirth. In Hinduism, sacred rivers like the Ganges purify the soul and aid in achieving moksha (liberation). Islam incorporates water in wudu (ritual washing) before prayers, signifying spiritual and physical cleanliness. In Judaism, water plays a key role in mikveh rituals, symbolizing purification and transformation. Indigenous traditions often view water as a sacred element, honoring its life-giving properties through ceremonies. Across faiths, water connects humanity to the divine, symbolizing rebirth, healing, and spiritual connection.

Water is the lifeblood of our planet, yet we often fail to treat it with the respect it deserves. The world’s water supply faces critical threats from pollution caused by human activities. Industrial waste, such as dyes and chemicals from fast fashion production, contaminates waterways. Agricultural runoff from large-scale farming operations, particularly those supporting beef production, introduces chemicals into water systems. Single-use plastics, like bottles and packaging, clog waterways and create garbage patches spanning over 1.6 million square kilometers—an area more than twice the size of Texas—disrupting marine ecosystems and harming wildlife. In 2023 alone, approximately 70 operational oil spills and 10 significant tanker spills released thousands of tonnes of oil into the environment, compounding the degradation of vital water sources. These issues underscore the urgent need for collective action to protect and preserve this essential resource​.

We are contaminating ourselves with the clothes we buy, the plastic we throw away, and the cars we drive. The pollution we cause through everyday actions harms our own well-being. Water, the essence of our existence, is being poisoned by our neglect.

We are told we are living in the age of self-love, but often this is interpreted as indulging in the material—buying that trinket or satisfying our fleeting desires. “You deserve it” has become the anthem of our time. But does indulging our egos really lead to fulfillment? Does this kind of self-love align with our deepest needs?

As we approach one of the most wasteful seasons of the year, I urge you to pause and reflect. Does indulgence serve as true self-love? Nature owes us nothing. Instead, we are deeply in debt—to the water, the wildlife, and the air we breathe.

We are water—our bodies, our lives, depend on it. When we protect water, we protect ourselves. Real self-love begins with responsibility. Repairing the harm we’ve caused to the Earth, especially its water, is the greatest gift we can offer ourselves and future generations.

As we move into the new year, let’s commit to being better stewards of the water that sustains us. Happy Holidays, and see you in 2025!