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There’s no doubt about it. It’s been a long cold winter. Many people have lost power, some lost money due to unplanned time off from work, and most notably, a large majority of people lost patience. A few weeks ago my landlord called to inform us that a pipe had burst – perhaps due to the frigid temperatures – and that we’d be without water for a short time. My husband and I filled our Brita to the brim and purchased a few gallons of bottled water to tide us over. It was no big deal really. We were warm, healthy, and if need be, we could shower at a friend’s house. What struck me was how often during that time we went to the faucet out of habit only to have nothing come out. It was a humbling reminder of our simple, yet in comparison to so many others in this world, luxurious existence. How even he and I, two people who strive to practice mindfulness and gratitude on a daily basis, can forget, and even take for granted the seemingly small, yet profoundly significant blessings in our lives. Water, my friends, is a big one! I failed math in high school, and I’m not a statistics kind of girl, but I do know that there are far-too-many people living in this world without running and/or clean water. There are people, right here in our back yard, as well as across the globe, who go to bed hungry each night. We were without water for approximately twelve hours. And what might have been a hardship for some, was for us a time to reflect on all of our blessings with a deep, deep sense of gratitude. It made us appreciate the water all the more when it came back on. Now every time I flip the faucet I say thank you. And when it turns from cold to hot I am like a young child who can’t believe or understand the magic of it all. That feeling of magic is exactly what I want to help facilitate in the lives of others. When we were without water I thought about the billions of people and animals dying of thirst and starvation all over the world. I became bereft not by my own very minimal loss, but because of those who are needlessly suffering due to some having so much, while many have so little. My blessings motivate me to, in some way, help bless others. There’s so much I want to do. And if I could hop on a plane tomorrow to India or Africa, or anywhere else I may be of service, I would. I know one day I will. But in the meantime, I help every living being, everyday, by choosing to live vegan. Like I said, I’m not a stats girl, but the statistics are there. If every one of us stopped eating precious animals and their byproducts, not only would we end the abhorrently cruel practice of breeding animals only to kill them, but we would also end world hunger. There’s room for everyone is this world. So get up and make some room. Extend your gratitude for your blessings by remembering those who have less and give of yourself. Harm no one, help everyone, and you will receive so much in return.
Erica Settino is a long-time yoga teacher and animal activist. Through her teaching, writing, and non-profit organization, Karuna For Animals: Compassion In Action, Inc., she works to promote compassion, non-violence, and kindness for all living beings. www.karunaforanimals.com. Information about Erica and her yoga classes can be found at www.yogaturtle.net. Erica is also Editor-at-large for Creations Magazine. |
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