It wasn't asked to, but the morning came. It didn't have to, but the body responded. Awake. But, perhaps, unprepared for the day that it has to confront. Its weakness, exposed by the mind that drives it. A mind, itself so vulnerable, constantly deliberating over ways to take, choices to make. Choices, so often, made difficult by circumstances seemingly beyond the control of anything imaginable. But choices, after much deliberation, that are in control. Choices, the first of which is now. Under the shower head. Naked. Reluctant. Afraid.
And the first choice is cold. For hot comes easy. Cold is painful. Unwanted. And while choosing easy can be made to seem logical. It has repurcussions. For, at some point, difficult will come. When it's least wanted. And to be unprepared is to risk everything. So, the choice is to be prepared, rather than to be comfortable. To be strong, even when it's not necessary. So that when it is necessary, it comes easy. Every fibre of being is saying no. Saying that it's going to hurt. Saying that a nice, warm shower is what's needed. Screaming not to be put through this. But choice must prevail. For choice, after much deliberation, is in control. So make the choice.
The cold tap is turned open. Not carefully. Deliberately. Completely open. And the streams of ice cold water come pouring out from the shower head. The first droplets splash against the human head. And quickly streams start running through the hair, and down the neck. The body flinches. But choice keeps it rooted in place. The breathe loses control of itself. Grunts and yelps let themselves out without asking. But choice regains control. Inhale. Exhale. Embrace the cold. Embrace the pain. Look it in the eye. Smile. And now, seek it. Wet what is still dry. Move through the water. Turn around. Fold forward. Now, the body wants it. And the mind laughs. That's right. Bring it on.
And then, it's over. The tap is turned to close. And, even though the body quickly forgets. Reaching for the towel, to pat itself dry and warm itself up. The mind remembers. It remembers the choice that it made. It can let the body comfort itself for a while. For it knows it can take control when it wants to. And, more imprtantly, when it needs to. And now, as thoughts begin to dwindle toward the day ahead. They do not look up at the barriers. They do not feel intimidated by the difficulties. They feel empowered. Ready. For nothing can be as big a challenge as the challenge they've already overcome. No choice is out of their control. because they've already made the most difficult one.
But memory fades. The monkey mind lives day-to-day. So tomorrow, we'll be back. To start the day again. With a choice.
Till next time.
"A cold shower a day, keeps the doctor away."
- Wim Hof