Struggle with the natural character, the strong native bent of the heart, may seem futile and fruitless, but in the end they do good. They tend, however slightly, to give the actions, the conduct, that turn which Reason approves, and which Feeling, perhaps, too often opposes: they certainly make a difference in the general tenor of a life, and enable it to be better regulated, more equable, quieter on the surface; and it is on the surface only the common gauge will fall. As to what lies below, leave that with the Universe.

California is in an extreme drought, and there are communities running out of water. In fact, this is the third straight year, in California, that Winter and Spring have shown us no love from rain fall. In the past, many people used to complain daily about the rain because it was messing up their weekend plans, golf games, and making water spots appear on their freshly washed car. As a result of the lack of rain, wells are running dry, and farmers are unable to produce food. The price of meat, produce, grains and just about everything else is increasing. We are also seeing trees so dry that branches are breaking and falling off, leaves wilting, and some trees just dying out because they are so thirsty. We are also seeing major forest fires rage out of control, scorching hundreds of thousands of acres, across the state. Meanwhile, people are complaining about their water front property looking more like a desert, and not being able to take their lofty boats out for a spin. Sacramento, California saw a 100 foot drop in ground water, within three months, and the aquifers are drying up so fast that land is starting to sink below the surface, which is leading to gaping sinkholes. About 5.1 Million gallons of water are being drained from the Earth, in the state of California, which slightly more than the water in Lake Tahoe.

Most cities in California have imposed watering cut backs for water usage and irrigation, and are even enforcing fines and threatening jail time for those who are misusing water. That is why I think this, Ice Water Bucket Challenge for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) alarming. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells, in the brain and spinal cord, which control voluntary muscle movement. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Basically, people are being challenged to dump 5 gallons of ice cold water, over their head, to raise money for ALS. Now that celebrities and others are participating in the ice bucket challenge, it is becoming very popular, and making a lot of money, more than 1.2 Million people have participated. That is at least 6 Million gallons of wasted water. As of 29 July 2014, it has been reported that ALS Associating has received over $42.4 million in donations, compared to $2.1 million,  in yearly donations reported just last year. Now what is alarming is that Millions of gallons of precious water is being wasted, in a time when we really needed. Farmers are running out of water and communities are hooking up hoses to their neighbor’s well, just so they can drink water, wash the dishes, or take baths. And in Detroit, Michigan there are several homes that do not even have running water. So is it fair that the ALS Associating is exploiting a resource we so desperately need?

Many people are upset that they cannot even turn on the tap to get water and you guys are throwing it out in the street like it is trash—no stupid man ever suspected himself of being anything but cleaver.
A narrow life demands a narrow soul, not only is the ASL Association encouraging you to misuse a resource that we so desperately need, but they are also putting you at risk. If you did not know, individuals who are young, or elderly and some in-between could suffer a heart attack from suddenly being immersed in cold water. Cold shock response—the instant that freezing cold water makes contact with your skin is one of those most shocking things you can do to your skin organ. Some people may stop breathing, others can experience hyperventilation, some people may pass out, and sudden cold water immersion may cause an instantaneous and massive increase in heart rate and blood pressure because all the blood vessels in your skin constrict, in response to sudden cooling. In vulnerable individuals, this greatly increases the danger of heart failure and stroke. Because of vasoconstriction, the heart has to work harder to pump the same volume of blood throughout the body. And finally, in some rare cases people may drown. I know you feel like I am raining on your parade, but there was once a water drinking contest, and everyone thought it was innocent, until a woman drowned from drinking too much water.

There is no home for the soul where dwells a shadow of untruth. Sacramento, California, in January 2007, a woman, age 28, was found dead after participating in a water drinking contest. Assistant Sacramento County Coroner, Dr. Ed Smith reported that the investigation found evidence consistent with a water intoxication death. The lady drank too much water, and I am sure no one saw that coming. The soul needs air; a wide sweep and frequent change of it. Morbid influences, in a thousand-fold variety, gather about hearths, and pollute the life of households.