As children we think everything is vastly available. Our world is HUGE! Growing up, my mom made sure to remind us otherwise. “Since you do not know how to make water, then you should not waste it,” was a common phrase heard around the house. This statement applied to all sorts of resources. From water, to food, to paper, school supplies, electricity, etc. When I started taking chemistry classes, I learned you can make water by combining two Hydrogen atoms with one Oxygen atom. So when I smartly replied that I do know how to make water, she then asks me if I knew how to make a Hydrogen atom, or an Oxygen one – stuck again. Basically, she broke it down to the fact that we cannot make anything without starting with some kind of natural resource. Even if you find a way to create something out of thin air, you still have to rely on the “thin air” to create it…and do you know how to make “thin air?” So, I’ve been conservative and mindful (almost to a fault) with my resources ever since. Well, give and take some wild and rebellious phases growing up when that kinda stuff didn’t matter….but now it does – again.
Present day: I go in to the bathroom at work. While washing my hands, another lady goes over the next sink and turns on the water FULL BLAST!.... keeps it on while she soaps, rinses, and pumps out approx 12 inches in length of paper towel from the dispenser, crumples the huge paper towel in her hands as a way to dry them (she didn’t even dry the back of her hands) before turning the faucet off. Then she uses the automatic handicap door opener so she didn't have to touch the handles. My mom would have a conniption if she saw you… and I guess so am I.
I think about the measures this woman is taking to keep her hands clean, but take no consideration to her environment (I know – total nerdy statement – but it’s true). Yes, I get it, proper hand washing encourages good health, but this woman works in a cubicle – what kind of germs does she have in there???? Maybe she’s afraid to get sick, but let's think about the potential health risk of those living near a landfill (let’s not even get in to the vast real estate a landfill occupies. Land that could have been used for something more than storing garbage); or surely she must be aware that America’s water supply is dwindling down to obsoletion within our generation’s life time. As of a 2010 news article, 36 US States face water shortages in the next three years (well, 2 years now that it’s 2011). I'm sure she’s not aware of all of this, nor does it vaguely cross her mind but I SOOOOO wanted to tell her. But how can I without crossing some undefined boundary between strangers in a bathroom? Maybe I could have taken that risk of offending her, after all, her ignorance is "offending" our environment and future generations, but I punked out and watched her walk out the bathroom. (sigh) If only she had a mom like mine she wouldn't have been so wasteful.
Perhaps conserving resources was a way for my mom to keep us from running up the bills, or from having to replace any item she’s already bought for us, but it sure left an impression. The other day, I heard my 6 year old niece say to her sister, "Can you make water? then you shouldn't waste it." I'd say it is one of the best nuggets of knowledge ever to pass down the generations. Thanks Ma!
Present day: I go in to the bathroom at work. While washing my hands, another lady goes over the next sink and turns on the water FULL BLAST!.... keeps it on while she soaps, rinses, and pumps out approx 12 inches in length of paper towel from the dispenser, crumples the huge paper towel in her hands as a way to dry them (she didn’t even dry the back of her hands) before turning the faucet off. Then she uses the automatic handicap door opener so she didn't have to touch the handles. My mom would have a conniption if she saw you… and I guess so am I.
I think about the measures this woman is taking to keep her hands clean, but take no consideration to her environment (I know – total nerdy statement – but it’s true). Yes, I get it, proper hand washing encourages good health, but this woman works in a cubicle – what kind of germs does she have in there???? Maybe she’s afraid to get sick, but let's think about the potential health risk of those living near a landfill (let’s not even get in to the vast real estate a landfill occupies. Land that could have been used for something more than storing garbage); or surely she must be aware that America’s water supply is dwindling down to obsoletion within our generation’s life time. As of a 2010 news article, 36 US States face water shortages in the next three years (well, 2 years now that it’s 2011). I'm sure she’s not aware of all of this, nor does it vaguely cross her mind but I SOOOOO wanted to tell her. But how can I without crossing some undefined boundary between strangers in a bathroom? Maybe I could have taken that risk of offending her, after all, her ignorance is "offending" our environment and future generations, but I punked out and watched her walk out the bathroom. (sigh) If only she had a mom like mine she wouldn't have been so wasteful.
Perhaps conserving resources was a way for my mom to keep us from running up the bills, or from having to replace any item she’s already bought for us, but it sure left an impression. The other day, I heard my 6 year old niece say to her sister, "Can you make water? then you shouldn't waste it." I'd say it is one of the best nuggets of knowledge ever to pass down the generations. Thanks Ma!
