Thursday:
The Purity of Braving the Cold: A Polar Plunge Lesson in Courage and Obedience
A Polar Plunge Lesson in Courage and Obedience
How taking our child to a polar plunge taught them about following instructions, embracing discomfort, and the refreshing feeling of doing something challenging.
The Inspiration Behind the Plunge
It all started when my husband had finished reading a book titled, The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential. Once reading the book, my husband slowly started applying the process—from taking cold showers in the morning to walking around shirtless during winter, snowplowing without a jacket, and ultimately, taking on the unexpected challenge of the Polar Plunge.
When a group of friends started talking about it, our family joined the conversation, and before we knew it, we were on board. We asked our eldest if he would like to join us, and he immediately said yes.
Facing the Pre-Plunge Jitters
Then, the day finally came. As we were heading to the location to sign in and meet up with everyone, my son admitted, "I'm nervous." I said, "Me too."
We really didn’t know what to expect, having only seen YouTube videos and internet images. Then my husband said, "We can’t back out now, we are almost there." With uplifting words, we reassured our eldest son. He held our hands tightly—one hand gripping my husband's and the other mine. I told him, "I'm with you on this. I'm nervous too, but let’s do this and be able to say ‘We did it!’ at the end. Let’s scream and enjoy it!"
The Moment of Truth: Taking the Plunge
As we approached the starting line, waiting for the horn to give us the go, my heart raced with mixed emotions. I held my son’s hand tightly, and the moment we touched that icy, bone-chilling water with bits of ice floating on the surface, we screamed with joy and laughter.
We didn't even know that Channel 5 was filming us as we plunged in! It was a moment of pure exhilaration—trusting that everything would be okay, and realizing that all fear subsided once we hit that freezing yet refreshing water. It was an embrace of the unknown, a thrill of saying "Yes, we did it!"
Celebrating the Victory
Our friends felt the same way. Words couldn’t describe how proud and happy we were to have accomplished it together. We celebrated afterward, exchanging stories, emotions, and feelings. The bond among us all strengthened—the pure art of embracing adventure with open hearts and learning to let go.
Lessons in Purity and Obedience
This experience also reflected the Catholic virtues of Purity and Obedience. Purity is about having a heart open to truth and goodness, embracing challenges with clarity and trust. Obedience, on the other hand, is about listening, following instructions, and respecting guidance—even when it's uncomfortable or difficult.
By following the event’s safety protocols, listening to the organizers, and trusting in the process, we embodied obedience. And by embracing the freezing waters with an open heart, we demonstrated purity—free from fear, worry, or hesitation, simply living in the moment with full trust.
Why You Should Try the Polar Plunge
If you ever want to experience something extreme and do it for a good cause, I definitely invite you to try the Polar Plunge. It’s truly worth it. The 19th annual Polar Plunge we participated in was held in Chicago as a fundraising event where participants plunged into the freezing cold Lake Michigan to benefit Special Olympics Chicago.
Join the Adventure
Are you ready to challenge yourself, embrace discomfort, and make a difference? Mark your calendar for the next Polar Plunge and take the leap!
#PolarPlunge #EmbraceTheCold #CourageAndObedience #FaithAndAdventure #ChicagoPolarPlunge
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