I can’t.
These two simple words have limited our potential for as long as they have been together.
I can’t do that. I can’t change this. I can’t make a difference.
These words and the limits they impose are as real as the reality you see before you. However, be assured, these words have only as much power as we choose to give them. These five letters can restrain you, dismay you, and enslave you. If you believe in them, you truly can’t…
We know you can. The simple fact that you are reading this proves that you can. You can be a force for change. You can make a difference. I assure you, when you live up to your full potential your single impact is immense and powerful.
But you are not alone. You are a member of the travel2change community. Our community transforms these individual impacts into something exponential. Together, we are a force for positive change. We can change the way we impact the world and we can teach others to do the same.
Our current travel2change idea generation challenge is themed around water. We understand, solving global issues of water scarcity is an immense feat. Always remember, no matter how daunting a task may appear, we can. We must believe in ourselves and believe in our endeavors. No problem will ever be solved when approached with the attitude that it simply cannot be solved. So, where do we begin? We urge you to begin in your own home.
The organization Wire & Twine has spelled out beautifully 50 examples how we can make simple changes in our habits and drastically impact our water consumption and energy use.
Have you ever thought of skipping rinsing your dishes before washing? This simple adjustment can save up to 20 gallons of water each load! Do you leave the tap running while you brush your teeth? According to Wire & Twine if we could eliminate this harmful habit, “Daily savings in the U.S. alone could add up to 1.5 billion gallons–more water than folks use in the Big Apple.”
Wire & Twine also points out that it takes “2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.” Consuming one vegetarian meal a week is an amazing act of conservation and your body will thank you too. Even visiting a professional car wash can be an act of conservation. Professional car washes often use water more efficiently than we are able to at home. “If everyone in the U.S. who washes their car themselves took just one visit to the car wash we could save nearly 8.7 billion gallons of water.”
How conscious are you about your own water use? The faucets in our homes give us the false impression that water is always available and unlimited in quantity. Please, have a conscious respect for this precious natural resource and help spread this consciousness to others.
Don’t belittle yourself or your personal abilities. Small changes add up. The site www.50waystohelp.com spells out 46 more ways you can help the Earth. Do not use the excuse that you are only one person as a justification for inaction. Choosing to do nothing when it comes to environmental issues is like passive aggression toward the Earth. Inaction is action in disguise. Don’t limit your potential. Don’t ignore your role in the larger scheme of life.
Simple adjustments in your thought processes can lead you away from the paralyzing statement “I can’t” toward a statement with limitless possibilities: I can. Solutions to water scarcity can be simple. But even if the solution is not simple, that is no excuse. Your contribution makes a difference. Make sure your actions reflect who you are, rather than who you are not.