I have chosen a reflection spot near a fountain. Despite the fact that this source of water is small and not part of the natural physical landscape, I don’t think it is insignificant. I wouldn’t be surprised if many others chose to reflect near water too. After interesting conversations in various lit group meetings and during our camping trip, I discovered the significance of water to many fellow Earth Lodgers. Shannon’s memories of dangerously rising waters, Kelin’s favorite fishing spot in Maine, Phoebe’s summer Pinery retreat, and my own memories of a lake near my home come to mind. Perhaps there is something about flowing water that allows our thoughts to flow more freely. The steady rush of a stream and the rhythmic ebb and flow of ocean waves have a deeply calming quality.
Water is a powerful force and an essential commodity. Hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods claim many lives and shape the identities of those they affect frequently. Millions of people without access to clean water suffer detrimental health and environmental impacts. Yet I rarely stop to think about how much I rely on water and how lucky I am to have unlimited access to however much clean water I need or want. Water is essential to people at many scales: at the human level, it is a basic necessity without which we cannot live; at the local level, large bodies of water have shaped the settlement of communities and contribute to drinking supplies; at the largest scale, oceans help transport goods around the world. Despite water’s great power, people have tried to control large sources of water in potentially harmful ways. As we learned last week, rivers have been straightened for aesthetics. They have been put in pipes and moved for convenience. But as is true with most aspects of nature, it is better to step back and let the river (or creek, or lake) run its own course.