#40Days

The Journey Continues #40Days

March 30, 2013 by Lucrecer Leave a Comment

Creative Commons, srslyguys

The past 40 days of water has been more than a journey of awareness. It has been a journey of reflection, sacrifice and purpose.

On a healthy note, I have consciously consumed more water than I normally do on purpose. It has been amazing for my skin and my overall well-being. We don’t often pay attention to the crap we put in our bodies, but when we make a point of removing it for a long period of time, you can not help but become aware of the damage we cause. I notice I drink large amounts of coffee when I am stressed. The caffeine becomes a drug I had to have during the weekday to cope with the stress of work, joy stealers and my daily routine. Drinking water as part of the Blood:Water campaign became a ritual of cleansing. I could wash away all the negative by simply purifying my own vessel. Deep, huh? Yeah, I thought so, too.

It was an honor participating in this campaign and it made me more aware of the choices I have here in America. I have also been witness to the generosity of others as many have donated to help provide clean water to people who do not have the same choices we have. It is humbling and gratifying all at the same time.

Filed Under: Writer's Life Tagged With: #40Days, Blood:Water, clean, drinking, reflection, water

How Restoration is More than #40Days of Water

March 3, 2013 by Lucrecer Leave a Comment

For three years, I have started each new year with a Daniel Fast for 21 days. I give the first part of my year to God to set the tone for the year. This kind of fast involves giving up everything except plant based food and water. So, when I was asked to be a part of the Blood:Water campaign and drink only water for 40 days during the season of Lent, I agreed. I figured I could do that. After all, I had many fasts under my belt and I believed in bringing awareness to what Blood:Water is trying to do.

What I did not bank on was how all this intentional sacrifice is falling in line with the year of Restoration I am going through. Restoration is my word of the year and I sit now realizing this word involves a lot of waiting. Restoration does not instantly happen, at least not for me. In the midst of my waiting, I am seeing a major purging of things and people in my life. It can be lonely sometimes, but isn’t that what the Winter season is all about? We see nature stripped down and dormant, not realizing that something is brewing deep inside the Earth where no one can see it. Restoration is coming, but we don’t always see it, but we are called to believe in it.

The promise of Spring, change, restoration, and a new beginning all happens when we go through intentional sacrifice. When I joined the Blood:Water campaign, I did not realize it would align with what is going on in my life. I no longer question why things happen in my life. Instead, I believe that the purpose and my purpose will be revealed. When I fill up my water bottle and drink clean water from it everyday, I think about the people who would give anything to have the same clean water to drink. It is such a basic human need, yet there are so many people who do not have access to it.

We are halfway through the #40Days and you can still join me to bring awareness and support to a great cause. Everyone deserves clean water. Everyone.

Filed Under: Kindred Spirits Tagged With: #40Days, awareness, Blood:Water, Fast, Lent, restoration, Sacrifice, water

Give it up for #40Days

February 10, 2013 by Lucrecer 1 Comment

Starting February 13, I am on a mission. A mission to drink only water for the next 40 days. Why? Because I can and because I want to help bring awareness to the need for clean drinking water in many communities in Africa. Specifically Uganda. Americans do not often think about how blessed we are to have clean drinking water. This past year, I have been alerted to how many people are suffering and dying simply because they do not have a very basic necessity. Water. Blood:Water is no only on a mission to help as many people as they can. To date, they have been providing safe water in 1,300 communities, serving over 800,000 people with access in 11 different countries.

Blood: Water was founded by the multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning band, Jars of Clay and it began as a call to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. The members of the band were committed to share the often-untold stories: those of creative, compassionate, hard-working Africans bringing health, hope and healing into their respective communities. Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa.

Forty Days of Water - 2013 from Blood:Water Mission on Vimeo.

2. Track your drinks saved. You can log in to your profile or mobile.

Here is the mobile app link- 40days.bloodwatermission.com from your phone.

Let’s make a difference and bring awareness together.

Also, read about clean drinking water when you are traveling. The importance of everyone having access to clean water can not be stressed enough. Please consider joining me in this awareness campaign.

Filed Under: Kindred Spirits Tagged With: #40Days, Blood:Water, campaign, clean, Uganda, water