The impact that water has on our daily lives is often taken for granted. Spending time in Valley of the Gods, Utah, reminded me of the importance of water to our survival.
Survival experts refer to ‘the Rule of Threes’ with people unable to survive for more than: 3 minutes without air – 3 hours without shelter – 3 days without water – 3 weeks without food.Considering that our bodies are almost 70% water and the earth’s surface is 75% water, the importance of water is inescapable.
But often important things are taken for granted. While vision fasting on water for 4 days in a dry and harsh landscape, it was obvious how necessary water was for survival. To begin the quest, I had to backpack 5 gallons (19 liters) of water, weighing 40 lbs (18 kg) to my base-camp 35 minutes away. Then I had to carefully cache it in a way that prevented the sun from causing the plastic to off-gas into the water making it undrinkable.
Completing these tasks was no big deal. Continually being aware of the water was a big deal. Not only did I find myself carefully rationing how much I consumed, I became mindful of just how much responsibility I had towards protecting and safeguarding this precious lifeline.
Because of this exercise, my relationship to water, has forever changed. Now I more fully appreciate living in a community that easily provides water with a simple flick of the wrist and I know there are many places in the world less fortunate.
I would encourage everyone to go into the desert at least once. Carrying, protecting and rationing water, even for a few days, could shift our perspective and encourage us to become more responsible stewards for this ‘liquid of life’.