Increasing awareness towards our feelings and emotions
A month ago I switched off my water heater at home because I didn’t want to take hot showers any more, and not having the option made it easier for me to accept cold water for my showers, and it worked great for a while, but currently the temperature in Houston is so high that the water is quite warm even without the water heater. On Wednesdays I work out at work, and hence I usually take a shower during lunch time. So, I woke up that morning excited about taking a shower at my workplace because the temperature of the water at work usually tends to be very very cold compared to the water temperature in my house.
Well turned out that , even in the coldest setting, the water at work was also quite warm and I noticed that I got frustrated because I was really looking forward to a cold shower. At that moment, I realized that I was now wanting cold water just like how in the past I would have complained about not having hot water. And so I recognized that I should feel grateful for water regardless of the temperature, and at that point I felt so much gratitude in my heart for water, for being able to have clean water to clean my body, that my shower became very enjoyable and it wasn’t because it was warm, it was because I recognized the pattern of expecting a situation to be a certain way and then feeling disappointed or frustrated because the situation didn't meet my expectations. As soon as I recognized that, and focused, not on my expectation but accepted the situation as is, I suddenly felt free, liberated almost. And most importantly I felt happy. It didn’t matter that the water was hot or cold. I was excited to be even in water to begin with.
It is important to use the Wim Hof Method as a tool to increase our awareness towards our feelings and emotions, not to become bad asses or super humans. It doesn't matter if we have cold or hot water or maybe a breath retention of 3 or 8 minutes, the key is to catch ourselves when we start spiraling into the mode of expectation that leads to disappointment if we don't receive what we believe is what we deserve. Focusing on what we have, versus what we dont, in the moment is what leads to happiness, and for some - freedom.