During an exchange with the Seer, I watched a sparrow try to grab and carry away a grasshopper multiple times. The grasshopper was not impressed and soon the sparrow gave up. (Sparrow dream symbolism: fun, joy, being carefree. Grasshopper: destruction producing blessings.) The Seer interprets…
The Seer:
Because of the excessive value placed on having fun, we tend to overlook the fact that discomfort may be the better teacher. Discomfort prompts change, and change requires adjusting to the destructuring of the old and embracing the new. This brings vitality to life's journey and strength of character to the one wise enough to see the potential blessings of the new.
Rogier:
This reminds me of how resistance training also fortifies and vitalizes the mind. How can we develop a mindset for accepting, even embracing, discomfort?
The Seer:
Do one thing that is hard to do each day. Begin by taking daily cold showers. Those who take cold showers make better soldiers.
I discovered cold showers when I went to visit a commune on a hilly isolated farm in the 1960s. It was a discovery! Definitely energising.
Many years later while we were rebuilding a ruin in a colder region we didn't have hot water for the first few years. Our daughter was in her early teens and didn't make any comment, just got on with it. Because yes, having fun was her 'raison d'être' and whinging saps the joy!
Later she roomed for 2 weeks in a convent in Burgundy while taking a workshop nearby. Their ancient boiler broke down and our girl was the only student lodger to shower blithely every morning!
Even when warm water is available I have finished with a cold rince. It seems to close the pores and seal in the warmth. The contast keeps the heart active (if one has no serious heart condition).
Start young!
What a beautiful, adventurous, and inspiring sharing! Thank you, Dearest Barbara.
🌞
ahahahaha, I love it Barbara Kathryn! So humorous and very inspiring, I was going to settle for choosing discomfort over a cold shower, but you turned my head! Don't know if I'd chicken out at the last minute, but maybe not! You know I love you. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your stories, they always bring a smile to my face. 🙂
💞 you too Sister Anna.
And…bon courage for your next adventure in stoicism !
Very intriguing. Thank you for sharing this with us Rogier. Appreciate your thoughtfulness. 😊
Definitely recommend cold showers! Also, I'm looking for someone to help waterboard me. Any volunteers?