This week, we begin our journey by bringing awareness to the moments we often overlook by bringing intentional awareness to our daily water usage through simple, concrete steps.  Pick one that is impactful to your routine.

• If washing dishes by hand, fill the sink or a basin rather than letting the tap run continuously. If using a dishwasher, only run it when it is completely full.
• Time your showers and aim to reduce the duration by at least two minutes.
• Turn off the water while scrubbing your hands with soap.
• Keep the tap closed during the entire duration of brushing your teeth, turning it on only for the final rinse.

The Earth might seem like it has abundant water, but in fact less than 1 percent is available for human use. The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home. Roughly 70 percent of this use occurs indoors. 

This week, we shift our focus from the water we see to the "hidden water" required to sustain our lifestyles. By adjusting our diet, we dramatically reduce our environmental footprint.  Try practicing "Meatless Mondays." It takes approximately 1,800 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef. Choosing plant-based proteins significantly conserves the Earth's freshwater reserves. When we choose to consume less, we are not just "giving something up"; we are making a conscious decision to leave more for the "Beloved Community" of the future.

This week, we look at the quality of the water that leaves our homes and enters the veins of our local ecosystem. Look under your kitchen or bathroom sink. Identify one cleaning product that contains harsh chemicals (such as bleach, ammonia, synthetic fragrances or microplastics). Replace that product with a natural, biodegradable alternative. A simple solution of vinegar and water, or a paste of baking soda, is often just as effective and far kinder to our local environment. See suggestions here.

By keeping toxins out of our drains, we directly protect the St. Vrain watershed, ensuring that the water flowing through our community remains hospitable to fish, birds, and downstream neighbors.  When we choose a natural cleaner, we are practicing a form of "ecological neighborliness." We are acknowledging that we live downstream from someone, and someone lives downstream from us.

This week is about stepping away from the rush to find a moment of calm. We’re heading to the water to simply "be" for a little while. Take a short trip to your favorite waters in Longmont; St. Vrain River, Lefthand Creek, Golden Ponds, McIntosh Lake, etc. Find a spot where you feel comfortable and can sit for about 10 minutes. You don't need a plan or a specific prayer, just put your phone away, watch the movement of the water, and let your mind settle. 

Start looking at what is actually around you. Look at the specific types of trees along the bank and notice the birds moving through the branches. If you stay still, you might see other animals emerge; try to view them as part of the local community you’re currently sharing.

True simplicity isn't just about clearing out a closet; it’s about making mindful choices that lighten our impact on the world around us. Our challenge this week is practical and focused: Commit to avoiding all single-use plastic bottles, cups, and straws. This small shift in your daily routine is a tangible way to practice mindfulness and protect the waterways we all enjoy as plastic pollution is a major threat to the health of our oceans and local waters.  Read Eco-Cycle's fun article on How to Break Up with Plastic for inspiration.

Before every meal this week, place an empty cup at the center of your table to represent the 2.2 billion people globally who lack safely managed drinking water.  Before you eat, pause for a moment of silence or use this prayer:

“O God, source of the living water, we thank you for the abundance in our glasses today. As we look upon this empty cup, we remember our siblings who thirst. We pray for the protection of their wells, the healing of their rivers, and the wisdom for our leaders to ensure that every child of God may drink deeply and safely. Amen.”