S. Olyschlager

“Clean, accessible water is critical to human health, a healthy environment, poverty reduction, a sustainable economy, and peace and security. Yet over 40% of the global population does not have access to sufficient clean water. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, according to UN-Water. The lack of water poses a major threat to several sectors, including food security. Agriculture uses about 70% of the world’s accessible freshwater.”

source: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/environmental_protection-protection_environnement/water-eau.aspx?lang=eng

I find the holidays bizarre. I am in Canada, a free country. A country with major capitalism. Now in the winter, they leverage the holiday season to make it all booming with sales, deals, and gluttonous taking and consuming. In Canada, we can do that. We can have our door closed to the outside as we sit inside; exchanging poorly made items that will likely be in the dumps by next Christmas. All while 40% of our world’s humans are hungry, and thirsty and don’t give a shit about what our American Version of December 25 brings.

I listened to the song Do They Know It’s Christmas? By Band-Aid. There are two versions and I encourage you to listen and read the lyrics.

It’s human nature to give, and we all know it does feel good to give; that’s why we do it. But with what intentions?

Are we giving to those who need it the most? Or are we selfishly giving only for our own sake of the gesture?

The holidays for me personally are weird since most of my family don’t celebrate Christmas due to religion. Which is actually a blessing in disguise. I dont need to go to the LCBO, buy endless amounts of alcohol, buy hundreds of dollars of lame gifts, or pretend we are happy in the yearly merry Christmas posts all over social media. The ideal family…

Yet, I get to be the ultimate observer of people blindly celebrating a lot of wrong take aways from this “holiday”. Getting day drunk, id say isn’t the point, giving only to your immediate blood family, not the point..

How about giving to those helplessly in need of you?

You ain’t gotta feel guilt just selfless
Give a little help to the helpless – Lyrics to that song above.

I write this in hopes you will see the thing I see. You will bring more awareness to it all and maybe try to identify why YOU celebrate this holiday. Ask questions,

Does it feel right?

Does it feel right to close the curtain on the rest of humankind while you sit in your comfy room called Canada? Well, the rest of our house is calling you..

Sober up your thoughts and be there. Feel others, do good things for others, support and love them. Let them know we are here for them. One person cant do a whole lot, but all of us together can CHANGE the WORLD.

It’s in our DNA to care, it’s in our DNA to give. Give all you can, and you will in return receive all you can as well. and I guarantee what you receive won’t be a plastic item from China.

Awareness of the why of the world. How it is, is NOT how it needs to be. 

With love and compassion always,

Shelby.