Life Like WaterLife Transformation Blog - Immerse Yourself

Life Like Bottled Water

During the summer, temperatures reach well over 100 degrees with totally dry air.  This sweltering time of year causes my body to constantly yearn for a cold bottle of mountain spring water.   Explaining the flavor of water can prove to be quite a challenge.  Yet, this cool and wet, all natural liquid can invigorate the soul as it rushes down my throat. So refreshing!

BRB (be right back), that sounds so good right now… ahhhh… mmmm.  That hit the spot.

Life like water somehow seems to evaporate rather quickly to desert status while going through a traumatic experience, like the loss of a loved one or even a divorce after years of marriage.  It’s like we have this innate survival instinct to abandon all connections with the world.  To just sit alone with only our emotions for company.

I’ve been there and still occasionally visit this emotional pit.  Going through separation and divorce after nearly 15 years of marriage has been a particularly painful and emotional experience for me.  I spent most of my time at home. I felt that my world imploded and exploded all around me at the same time.  An emotional fallout that has lasted for over 2 years.

Fortunately, I had family and friends that invited me out of my emotional cocoon for a short time.  These periodic social events were just what I needed to lift my spirits.  It was much like bottled water, in the sense that rather than being completely overwhelmed with life, I was able to enjoy life at a pace I felt comfortable with.

As time moves forward, away from that traumatic experience, my social activities increase and I find that I’m enjoying life more, rather than being overwhelmed by it.  Just as refreshing to my spirit as this cold bottle water is to my body.

Here are 6 steps to enjoy life like bottled water:

1. Stock the Fridge - Become aware of events that are going on within your community and/or church.  These are usually planned in advance, which you can keep track of on a calendar.  Then, when you’re ready, you can pull a bottle out and enjoy.
2. Read the Label - Not all bottled water is the same.  Be sure that you pick the right events which will yield a positive experience.  You wouldn’t drink a bottle of warm muddy water, would you?
3. Sip, Don’t Guzzle - To get the most out of this short life experience, take it slow and take it all in.  There’s no need to rush.
4. Drink Until Empty - At first, it may be very difficult and you may want to leave early or look forward to the event being over quickly.  If you start feeling anxious, just sit still and breathe.  If that doesn’t help, then perhaps it’s time to leave before you fall into the pool too soon.
5. Avoid the Gallon Jugs - Don’t overwhelm yourself with water cooler jug sized events. There’s only so much you can drink and the rest will just get you soaked.
6. Share - It’s quite possible that there are others around you that are there for the same reason.  There may be others experiencing a different traumatic event and could use a  cold bottle of water too.  So, invite them to share your next bottle of water, which will further enrich the event experience.

I’ll close with this quote from Corita Kent:

“Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed.”