The Wisdom in a Glass of Water

Cookie: “Dandy, you should refill the water filter with gas water!”
Dandy: “You mean aerated flavored water? No, tap water is healthier.”
Cookie: “But tap water comes from the ocean.”
Dandy: “No, ocean water is salty. Tap water comes from rivers. The county adds chlorine to clean it, and then I use a filter to remove the chlorine. It’s extra clean.”
Cookie: “But… what if somebody peed in the river? Just saying… you never know. You could be drinking it right now!”

Ah, the logic of Cookie—equal parts amusing and thought-provoking!

Let’s talk about water for a second. It flows, it changes, it starts fresh. Every drop of water has been somewhere—rivers, oceans, through filters, and yep, even places we’d rather not think about. But no matter where it’s been, it gets cleaned, refreshed, and comes back to us as something essential for life. Pretty cool, right?

But here’s where it gets even more interesting—water isn’t just about keeping us alive; it actually remembers. Ancient cultures treated water as sacred, using it in significant moments like births, weddings, and farewells. And science? It’s catching up. Researcher Masaru Emoto showed that water molecules change based on the energy they’re exposed to. Positive words like “love” and “gratitude” formed beautiful, harmonious patterns, while negative words created messy, chaotic ones.

Now, think about this—our bodies are 70% water. Just like water, we carry our experiences with us—the good, the bad, and everything in between. We can’t erase the past, but we can filter it. With reflection, learning, and kindness, we can turn what we’ve been through into something better, something that nourishes us and those around us.

Bruce Lee once said, “Running water never goes stale, so just keep on flowing.” Was this a reference to our physical energy? Since we spend so much time sitting in our chairs everyday? Or was he referring to our thoughts? We seem to hold on to them pretty tight as well…

In India, where I grew up, every household practicing Sanatana Dharma owned a sealed copper pot containing water from the river Ganges. This water was always kept at the altar and given to those crossing over to the next life. Copper is antibacterial, and the Ganges water is considered holy. Immersing a dead person’s ashes in the Ganges is believed to promise a journey to heaven. As kids, we were taught to invoke the sacred rivers every day with a simple prayer while taking a shower:

Gange cha Yamune chaiva, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmade, Sindhu, Kaveri, jalesmin sannithim kuru.

This verse requests the holy rivers of India (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri) to purify the water we bathe in. Esoterically, it is a reference to the seven energy portals in our body. Well actually six (Mooladhara, Swadhistana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishudi, Ajna) in the body and one (Sahasrara) in space. To heal us, to purify us, to rejuvinate us everyday. A thoughtful practice that has unfortunately been lost in the hustle and bustle of modern day living.

A few years ago, I read about an experiment by Australian psychologist Alan Richardson. He split student basketball players into three groups to explore ways to improve their free throw skills. The first group practiced daily for 20 days. The second group visualized themselves making free throws for 20 minutes each day. The third group did nothing. Unsurprisingly, the third group showed no improvement. But astonishingly, the second group—who only visualized—improved almost as much as those who physically practiced. The power of belief and mental rehearsal proved to be nearly as effective as actual practice.

it made me reflect on the wisdom of starting the day with an intention—to cleanse, to heal, to replenish ourselves with water from inside-out.
We can start small…Listen to the relaxing sound of water whiIe sipping our morning beverage.
Remember to drink adequate water through the day and if we are so inclined, practice a short mindfulness meditation in our shower:-

So here is a bath meditation to start the day.
Release & Rejuvenate: As you settle into the warm embrace of your bath, take a deep breath in… and slowly let it out. Feel the water surrounding you, holding you gently, just like life itself.
Step 1: Settle the Water:
As you breathe in, imagine your swirling thoughts slowing down. As you breathe out, feel them gently settling, like ripples in a calm pond.
Step 2: Let Go of What You Don’t Need
Just as water carries bits of dust, our minds hold onto stress. With each inhale, picture the water clearing. With each exhale, release anything you no longer need—worries, stress, expectations—letting them dissolve into the bathwater.
Step 3: Embrace Fluidity
Water doesn’t resist; it flows and adapts. Run your hands through the water and feel its softness. Whisper to yourself, “I welcome life. I can go with the flow.”
Step 4: Gratitude for the Present Moment
Hold some water in your hands and watch it slip through your fingers. Life flows the same way—always changing. Take a moment to feel grateful for the warmth of the bath and the rhythm of your breath.
Step 5: Return to Stillness
Take a final deep breath, letting the water’s stillness mirror the calm within you. When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes and carry this sense of peace with you beyond the bath.
Remember, like water, you have the power to return to calm whenever life feels stirred.

Bathtime Meditation for Kids: Be Like Water
If you chose to teach children to practice observing water, here is a simple ritual. 
1. Settle Like Still Water
Sit down and take a big, slow breath… let it out like blowing bubbles. Imagine the water in the tub is a quiet pond. If we move too much, it gets wavy. But when we’re still… it’s calm. Let’s see how still we can be!
2. Let the Worries Wash Away
Close your eyes and think of something that made you feel upset today. Scoop up some water with your hands… and let it go! Imagine the water carrying your worries down the drain.
3. Float Like a Cloud
Lay back or pretend you’re a soft cloud ready to pitter patter as raindrops from the sky. Take a deep breath and say, “I am light.” Breathe out and whisper, “I feel good.”
4. Be a Waterfall of Kindness
Scoop up some water and pour it over your arms. Imagine it filling you with kindness and love. Say, “I am kind. I am loved. I am strong.”
5. Splash into Happiness
Give a little splash and smile! Water loves to have fun, just like you. Say, “Thank you, water!” for all the fun we have.
6. Take a Big Calm Breath
Before you’re done, take a deep breath and let it out slooooowly. Feel all warm and cozy? Yay! You did an amazing job being like water today.
Once a child practices this for a few weeks, it can become a peaceful visualization exercise to feel calm or refreshed whenever they want.

If you give it a try, drop me a note in the comments.

Hi there! I truly believe that children are born wise, and we adults have so much to learn from them. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost touch with that innate wisdom—buried under all the “grown-up” stuff society throws at us.
I see every moment with my kids as a chance to learn, and I love sharing those little lessons with you. I hope they bring you a smile or a fresh perspective.
I’d also love to hear from you—what’s something you’ve learned from a child in your life recently? Did it make you pause and look inward, even just a little?
My book series, A Nourishing Cookie Story, is packed with these kinds of lessons, inspired by kids. You can check them out on Amazon, and—watch them come to life on my YouTube channel.