I held my daughter’s hand gripped tight in mine and knew her response would depend on what she saw in my face.
So I straightened my spine. I got centred. I womaned up.
The moment came.
I chose to step in with her in strength. Holding her firm in my energy as the water bit hard on every inch I progressed.
We stood, facing each other with the ice cold water up to mid thighs. She looked at me.
‘Let’s go’. We deliberately and immediately sank down up to our necks in the ice filled bath.
The cold shock hit me like a wall. My breathing stopped, and I couldn’t draw air in.
I began to panic as my body did, I could flail, jump out immediately, and if I did I’d never get back in ever again.
Nor would she.
Instead I controlled what I could. I closed my eyes and breathed out.
I focused on my breath. I softened my diaphragm and slowly drew a whisper of air into my body in jerks and starts.
I fought the panic and overwhelm. I got above my body.
Then I opened my eyes. I locked eyes with my daughter and we chose to ride this challenge together, for 3mins we sat in there, breathing, being, and strong.
Because the water IS cold. And you can stay on the side and watch.
Or you can say ‘let’s go’ and just do it anyway. Because the water will always be cold, it’s the meaning you give it that matters.
Take the plunge, because the feeling on the other side is amaaaaazing
We can do so much more than we think we can.
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