Water To Thrive

Image by Linus Nylund

Today is World Water Day, a day set aside to raise awareness about the importance of fresh water, and emphasize the critical role that water plays in our daily lives and the need to conserve and protect this vital resource.

Image by mrjn Photography

It’s no secret that water is my jam. As a professional vocalist, it’s my beverage of choice and no lie, I consume a few liters of water a day. I love water so much, I actually wanted to be a water sommelier at one point. My husband told me that was a made-up job. I told him all jobs are made up. And then my schedule got crazy and I moved on from the idea. But water has always been important in my life and is a cause close to my heart.

Water is life. It’s also a basic human need.

While World Water Day is set up to be a reminder that we all have a role to play in ensuring that everyone has access to clean and safe water, the reality is that there are people struggling every single day, just to live.

I was shocked as a child to learn that there were kids my age who spent most of their days walking to get water for their family. Even more shocked to learn that many times, the water wasn’t even truly potable and contributed to illness and disease in their communities. And I’m still fired up today about the necessity of clean water.

Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war (this data comes from the WHO and the UN). And that is completely unacceptable. So, I’ve made it one of my missions in life to do what I can to help bring clean water to people currently living without access.

For the record, there are over 2.2 billion people who lack access to safely managed drinking water, and even more than that who lack safely managed sanitation services. FFS, it’s 2023! Little Sarah thought the problem would be solved by now, but it isn’t. And it’s up to us to rectify that.

Image by Markus Spiske

I’m all for doing what we can with what we have. And I’m grateful to all the scientists and engineers who have contributed their skills to help address the challenges of water scarcity and contamination. To all the people who invest in water conservation and management projects, and/or use their expertise to develop sustainable business models that prioritize water stewardship.

I’m grateful to all the people who use rain barrels and water-efficient appliances and fixtures in their homes. To all the people who use their platforms to promote the cause of water sustainability, and all the people support organizations that are working to provide access to clean water. I’m grateful to and for everyone who is doing what they can with what they have to help meet the basic human needs of people currently living without.

I’m a major advocate for using our gifts and talents to help make the world a better place and uplift humanity. I’ve used my creative work as a vehicle for good for years, raising funds and food to help hungry people in critical need with my music. That’s still a cause close to my heart, and I’m still doing that work. I will continue using my creative work to help uplift humanity and be of service to and in the world as long as I draw breath.  

To that end, I’ve partnered with Charity: Water to help ensure everyone has access to clean water. A portion of all book sales will go toward helping provide clean water to people currently living without access.

Yes, I know, my books aren’t out yet. They are coming (for behind the scenes, free stuff, and the latest creative updates, join my insider’s community via the subscribe button). And I absolutely know the books will be a nexus of joy and clean water. Our art, our lives, can have an impact beyond the thing in front of us and I know without a doubt, that together, we can improve lives.

This can look different for each of us. But whether it’s through taking simple steps to conserve water in our day-to-day, through donating to organizations who are working on the frontlines, or through using our gifts, talents, and resources to promote and provide water sustainability (or promote and provide for other basic human needs), we can make a meaningful difference right now.

Here’s to using our gifts, talents, and our resources (both physical and mental) to help uplift humanity. To doing what we can right now, even in the seemingly small moments, to help create a better future for all.