Ready to put the holidays behind us... I like to think of what I'd like to carry into this new year. Of course some memories of happy times with loved ones... and my new cashmere cardigan is lovely... a gift that left a dramatic impression on me was a donation in my name to charity: water. Always grateful to know that money has gone to a worthwhile cause, I am doubly grateful for the opportunity to become more acutely aware of a simple truth: Not everybody has access to water.

I was thrilled to find out that my colleague, Heather, is a huge advocate for charity: water. I had not heard of this organization until I received the previously mentioned gift. I clicked on the PSA at the website: charitywater.org (a very well done, inspiring site I might add) and was dumbstruck by the message: 1 out of 6 people on the planet do not have access to clean safe drinking water. (That's the equivalent of 2.8 of my loved ones at our family's christmas dinner, 5 out of my department at work, and as of now, 21 of the facebook fans of the awearness blog?!)


WATER! It is an arresting thought.


I take a minute to think about water... I drink water all day long... take a nice hot shower in the morning, an occasional luxurious bath. I enjoy the comfort of clean clothes that I wash in water. I cook with water. And all the coffee I drink is made with water!


In the past couple of years, as I try to take on a shade of green, I have become more water aware -- waste not want not! I've shortened my longest showers, I turn the water off when I'm brushing my teeth. Only do full loads of laundry. I did not even water the lawn this past summer (with a nod for the big assist from mother nature!)


But now I hope I will be even more mindful (and appreciative) of the water I use.


And that my sharpened awareness will inspire some creative ways to get behind the cause of getting safe clean drinking water available to everyone.