Aqua-guilt

This is an old post I never finished months ago, but I noticed it today as I am showering, washing my hands, washing clothes more than ever before because of the damn COVID 19. So tough to live in this new world sustainably.


I know guilt is not a productive feeling, but I can't help but indulge in it several times a day. It usually hits me when I am doing dishes (we don't have a dishwasher so this is a frequent activity), showering (especially in the shower), or even drinking a glass of water. 

It goes like this...

I lather up the dishes or myself or take a cold sip of tap water and it hits me.

I think of all the people in the world right now who don't have clean water.

I think about our future when my kids may not have the luxury of a hot shower.

I think about how people clean dishes when they don't have access to clean water or any water. 

I think about how wasteful our society is and how precious water is.

I silently apologize to the rest of the world and my kids' generation for the irresponsible behavior of my generation and generations before mine.

I picture the kids in Yemen, the homeless guy in front of my husband's downtown office, the people affected by the F3 tornado that ravaged a town (in December!) just a short drive away from where I live.

It hits me multiple times a day.

Like a brick wall of guilt.

But, guilt is paralyzing not energizing.

So I must turn this into something positive.

How?

Appreciate what I have?

Sure, I do.

Most days.

That doesn't help anyone though does it?