Refreshment of Water

April 23rd, 2012

A splash of water trickling from the fountain tucked into the corner of the stone patio beacons me to stop and sit for awhile. Humming birds flutter by seeking the sweet nectar from the bright pink Bougainvillea draping over the stucco privacy wall. In the midst of the dry California desert heat where I’m visiting a friend, water is a cool invitation to be refreshed. The ancient Eastern design practice known as Feng Shui views water as one of the five essential elements needed in any living environment. There is something about water that is compelling and life-giving. A person can live for days without food, but not so with water. Near my yard, a neighbor has installed a large outdoor water feature with rocks, plants, and cascading water that is reminiscent of a mountain stream. It draws foxes, rabbits and deer from miles away who drink its cool liquid.

The fluid nature of water has captivated one fountain designer for years. He loves the way it moves effortlessly over or around any obstacle it faces completely undeterred. When we swim or sit in a bathtub, water holds us as we become lighter and gravity is defied for a moment. Water is also used as a symbol of new birth in many religious traditions. So, as I sit on the patio by the fountain, I am reminded that life is constantly being renewed and that adapting a lighter more flexible attitude can be of boundless help. I want to include this element in my home, whether its a fountain, a small pond, a glass vase, a photo of the ocean, or a decorative pillow with wavy designs that capture the magic of water.

No Responses to “Refreshment of Water”

  1. There are currently no comments on this entry, want to be the first? Use the form on the right.

You must be logged in to post a comment.