"We are constantly changing and any practice meant to serve our authenticity
should reflect our fluid nature." ~ Gabrielle Roth ~
Water makes up a significant fraction of the human body, both by weight and by volume. As infants, we start out at 75-78% water. By one-year old, this percentage drops to around 65%. And, as, adults, the range is 50-65%. Think about that, as soon as we are born, we start drying up, literally.
Water is extremely important to our physical health and well-being. According to Anne Marie Helmenstine, PhD
"Water serves multiple purposes:
Water is the primary building block of cells.
It acts as an insulator, regulating internal body temperature. This is partly because water has a high specific heat, plus the body uses perspiration and respiration to regulate temperature.
Water is needed to metabolize proteins and carbohydrates used as food. It is the primary component of saliva, used to digest carbohydrates and aid in swallowing food.
The compound lubricates joints.
Water insulates the brain, spinal cord, organs, and fetus. It acts as a shock absorber.
Water is used to flush waste and toxins from the body via urine.
Water is the principal solvent in the body. It dissolves minerals, soluble vitamins, and certain nutrients.
Water carries oxygen and nutrients to cells."
So, why do we dry out? An infant's diet is, of course, composed of fluids and they are not very active. As we start introducing solid foods, digestion absorbs water to move it through our bodies. And, as we become more active and sweat, we lose fluids to the atmosphere. We also know that sitting for long periods of time stagnates the fluid movement in our bodies. And, the water absorption needed for a plant based diet is much less than what is required for digested meats and grains. So many different physical variable are at play.
But... are there also potential emotional or mental factors that contribute to this loss of physical waters? Do rock solid, immobile belief systems dry us out? Or maybe the fire in our anger vaporizes our fluidity. We often say, 'depression just sucks the life out of me'. Is it possible that depression also sucks the waters out of us? What other emotional or mental factors turn us into an arid wasteland with little to no water to support life, let alone fluidity?
Water is life! Life is ever-changing. And, as we are made of the same elements as nature, we too were meant to be fluid and ever-changing! Embrace change. Be fluid. Embody your authentic self!
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and
he's not the same man." ~ Heraclitus ~
"It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."
~ Alice in Wonderland ~