Water, for the Love of Life . . .

cindy@mesaworks.com

“Love is the Water of Life. Drink it down with heart and soul!” -- Rumi

Water, so frequently associated with matters of the heart is actually at the heart of the “matter” of life on this planet. Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is water, 65% of the average human body is water, blood is 80 % water, muscles are 70 % water, and most living foods, that is fruits and vegetables, are more than 80% water. Without water, the planet and her inhabitants could not survive as we know it.

The month of May marks the one-year anniversary since I pilgrimaged to the Optimum Health Institute (OHI) in La Mesa California in response to a “health opportunity” that presented itself. For three weeks I concentrated on learning and practicing ancient techniques focused on cleansing the body, quieting the mind and renewing the spirit. As a result of this experience I am choosing a living foods lifestyle. At the foundation of this lifestyle is eliminating all animal products from my diet, eating 80% living food, enjoying 2 oz. of wheatgrass a day, vegetable juice fasting one day a week, combining food properly and drinking plenty of clean water each and every day!

In fact, drinking enough water is so essential to optimum functioning of the body, that it is frequently the first recommendation I give to those who ask what they can do to improve their health based on what I learned at OHI. Water delivers nutrients to cells and organs, carries away waste and toxins, provides oxygen to the cells, acts as your bodies cooling system, lubricates joints, softens skin, helps muscles work more smoothly, through the lymph fluid it strengthens the immune system, reduces fatigue and the list goes on. Water could be considered “the essence of life.”

Of course, there are many theories about how much water is the appropriate amount to drink so I am going to share the formula that I have settled on after much reading on this subject and as recommended by OHI. It is simple: Body weight divided by two equals ounces of water a day. For example, 144lbs divided by 2 = 72 ounces of water a day or nine glasses of water, PLUS 16 ounces additional for every eight ounces of caffeine or alcohol consumed which dehydrates the body. I recommend that you buy a container that holds at least the number of ounces you need to drink a day, fill it in the morning and drink it by night. There is one caveat, do not drink liquids during your meal or for an hour afterwards as it will effect your digestion and that subject is for another day!

A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: short-term memory loss, trouble focusing, thinking and performing simple tasks, difficulty reading smaller print, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, improper urination, and lack of sweat. Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue and people often confuse the desire to eat with the bodies simple need for water. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. So the next time you say “I’m dying of thirst,” consider the real meaning of those words and for the love of life--drink up!

By Masuru Emoto:

“Throughout our lives, we exist mostly as water. This connection to water applies to everyone, all over the world. So how can people live happy and healthy lives? The answer is to purify the water that makes up your body. Water in a river remains pure because it is moving. When water becomes trapped, it dies. Therefore, water must constantly be circulated. The water - or blood - in the bodies of the sick is usually stagnant. When blood stops flowing, the body starts to decay, and if the blood in your brain stops, it can be life threatening. We all have an important mission: To make water clear again, and to create a world that is easy and healthy to live in. In order to accomplish our mission, we must first make sure that our hearts are clear and unpolluted. If all the people of the world can have love and gratitude, the pristine beauty of the earth will once again return.”