By Christopher Job
In 1964, I got my first job as a pharmacist and soon after secured residential accommodation in the Surulere area of Lagos Mainland. I lived there for a year before moving out.
One person who reminds me of that period was my neighbour, Jim Olisakwe, a young economics graduate. As a company pharmacist, I started well with a good salary and a Peugeot 403 car. On the other hand, Jim was living from hand to mouth but was always cheerful and fond of telling stories. However, towards the end of the month, his mood often changed. On many occasions, he would come to me and ask, “Pharmacist, how liquid are you? I just need a few shillings to keep me going till the end of the month.” Of course, I obliged him, as he never failed to return the loan as soon as he received his salary.
The state of being liquid is a critical issue in business. Regardless of available assets, if cash flow is negative, a business cannot perform well. Cash, or whatever can be easily converted into cash, is vital for business success. Any business, therefore, must be asking itself the same question Jim asked me: “How liquid are we?”
The most essential liquid in the body is water. Beverages, alcohol, soft drinks, and so on are liquids, but clean water is the universal solvent that the body needs. Without it, the body cannot function properly.
The body is composed of about 70–75 per cent water: the brain is 90 per cent water, blood 83 per cent, muscle 75 per cent, and bone 22 per cent. A reduction of just 5 per cent of water in the body can result in a 20–30 per cent drop in physical performance. A 10 per cent reduction can lead to illness, while a 20 per cent reduction can be fatal. This is why prolonged dry fasting can be dangerous. Water is absolutely essential for survival. Studies have shown that inadequate water intake is implicated in many health problems. For example, if the body is not supplied with enough water, the brain cannot function efficiently, leading to headaches or migraines. Other harmful effects of dehydration include tiredness, constipation, muscle cramps, irregular blood pressure, kidney problems, and dry skin.
Cooked food does not contain enough water to aid digestion. While eating cooked food, drinking water can help, but it also dilutes the initial digestive juices, leading to incomplete digestion. Thirst is a clear sign that you are already dehydrated. Therefore, you must not wait until you feel thirsty before drinking water. Some people mistake thirst for hunger, eating when in fact their body simply needs hydration.
Avoid fatigue by drinking about eight glasses of water a day. If you need to lose weight, water can help, as it reduces appetite and contains zero calories. Adequate water intake also enhances brain function, improving alertness and concentration.
Water is the best natural moisturiser for the skin. It increases skin elasticity, helps replenish skin tissues, and keeps the skin looking youthful. Generally, maintaining proper hydration reduces the likelihood of illness. Studies have shown that drinking sufficient water may lower the risk of bladder and colon cancer.
Fluid loss is particularly serious in infants and young children. The elderly also need to drink more water, as their sense of thirst diminishes with age, making them less likely to consume adequate fluids. Many health conditions common in older adults, such as hypertension, circulatory disorders, kidney stones, arthritis, indigestion, and constipation, are directly or indirectly linked to insufficient water intake.
Clearly, life cannot exist without water. The body needs physical water, while the soul needs the living water. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well:
“Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:13–14)
This refers to the living water—Jesus—who gives eternal life to those who believe in Him. Only the living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written Word, the Bible, can satisfy thirsty souls. Jesus said:
“If any man thirsts, let him come to me, and drink.” (John 7:37)
