H2O - The Refreshment and Calm of Water

Water can provide refreshment. Refreshment is defined as 1. a light snack or drink, 2. the giving of fresh mental or physical strength or energy. It is no secret that our need for drinking water and especially during the hot summer months is important, helpful, even critical for a healthy body, especially a healthy brain. 

Water can also provide calm. For me, water is a balm to my soul. The times when we can be near water—a lake, a stream, a waterfall, an ocean, a swimming pool, a river, a fountain, a rain—are such life-giving experiences. Even tears can be refreshing! There can be many gifts and surprises along the way – inviting us to the space to listen, to simply be, to respond to movement, to be our most authentic selves.

I grew up going to Lake Kemp, near Seymour, TX. My sisters and I learned to appreciate the fun, bonding and connection that can occur with “Lake Life”. Do you have a childhood memory of being around water? Here are my sisters and me with the catch of the day –

Photo taken at Lake Kemp, Seymour, Texas.

And many years later, just recently, my heart was filled full by sitting on the dock early in the morning, holding my coffee cup, admiring the water—so still and serene—watching a spider weave its web between the two posts on the dock as the sun rose and the web glistened in the sun. Ahhh…the beauty of nature. 

Photo taken at Lake Kemp, Seymour, Texas.

We have never lived near a beach, but Roger and I often choose a beach for a travel destination, all for the refreshment of the water…the fun kayaking, paddle boarding, walking and relaxing on the beach. 

Photo taken at Rosemary Beach, Florida.

One significant memory was Mother’s Day in San Diego, CA several years ago…. Justin and Jill were both in college and somehow we were able to vacation together for a week. As I sat alone, out early by the ocean to embrace the sunrise, listening to the waves hit the sandy shore and watch the whales jump, I began reflecting on my role as a Mother. I don’t know if I would have reached the depth of my feelings and the ability to express them to Justin and Jill without the calm, reflective qualities of the water, and the way it drew out the depths of my soul. Regardless, I am grateful for that moment. Over several hours on the beach and journaling, I wrote Justin and Jill a short letter and read it to them that afternoon…expressing my love, my desire for a communicative relationship, and to ask for forgiveness when I might have “missed them”. I shared that maybe I didn’t know well how to express my tears, my frustrations, my hurts, my fears. What I recognized is I wanted to be more intentional in my communication and be vulnerable as a Mom and wanted to invite them to be open and expressive with me as well. We could circle back and clarify the unclear messages at times when needed.

I recognized this would be somewhat new territory for us and wanted to name it with them so that they could help me. If they wanted the same, we could help one another. The deepening call to the soul of water is powerful.

Photo taken in San Diego, California.

My morning ritual is to sit by the pool in my jammies, listen to the birds sing, love on Sterling, our silver lab, journal, pray, meditate, reflect on the day or the moment of the heart. It is a necessary and nourishing practice for me. 

Photo taken in Dallas, Texas.

With the grandchildren, it is such an honor to teach them the beauty and value of water…the reflections we see, the ducks swimming, the leaves racing down the waterfall, the frogs jumping, the waves and puddles at the beach. 

Photos taken at Prairie Creek Park, Richardson, Texas (left), and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida (right)

And of course, water is such an invitation to play. 

Photos taken at Anna Maria Island, Florida (left), Nine Retreat, Lake Tahoe, California (center), and Des Moines River, Iowa (right).

In addition, water can be a source of calm. Water is a significant choice for emotional regulation. Where might we find calm from water? A refreshing shower? A drink of cool water? A wet cloth wiped across a sweaty brow? Looking out on an ocean or lake? 

One way I like to reflect on the power and the source of life of water is to have freshly cut flowers in the kitchen. The flowers often remind me of their need for water as sustenance. I gladly thank the flowers for the reminder as I give them the water they need to beautifully bloom, and that Yes, I too need water to bloom and flourish. 

Photo taken in Dallas, Texas.

May our hearts and our souls and our bodies be nourished and refreshed by water. May we be grateful for the gift of water. May we drink water fervently. May we cherish and care for the source of water. May we pay attention to how water can be calming for us.

Photo taken at Raccoon River Lake, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Roger has written a poem to share with you….

Water Drops

By Roger C. Jones

Say

 you are 

a drop of 

water. Let’s play

 make-believe and pre-

tend that you have some

family/friend drops. Imagine 

you’re taking them on vacation, now

 where will you go? The beach surf offers 

endless opportunities to rise into a crest, curl, 

and crash. You will mesmerize beach goers with the 

steady rhythm of wave after wave.   Now there’s the 

rivers and all those opportunities to run fast and free,  

maybe launch headlong down steep waterfalls and join

 the audacious chorus of crashing water.   Then perhaps a

 foray into some of the millions of mother earth’s lakes—

each unique in character, boasting vistas of grandeur,  

reflections of the shining sun & blue sky, & sanctuary 

for marine life & waterfowl. For a diversion, we have

 the majestic polar ice caps with their stark and 

frigid icescapes; be careful, a stay there may

last several millennia.   Of course,

  let’s not forget the seven 

wonderful…

O-

ceans

covering the

vast majority of

this  living  planet

with  their  stormy

ways   and    end-

less span. Bon

Voyage!

This month as we reflect on the beauty of nature and the magnificence of water, I will be sharing images of water with you with a quote and a reflective question. Please join me in focusing in on the refreshment, the calm, and the nourishment to our souls that water can provide. You may follow me on Facebook or Instagram for daily encouragement and reflective questions. If you are not on social media, you may click on the button below and find the photography and the reflections.