Wonderfully Outrageous Adventures

Sometimes there are things we like to do that seem ridiculous to our family and friends. This doesn’t mean they are ridiculous,  only that those who have not tried them may judge you because of them. Let them judge. There will always be someone judging you. You need to get to a point that it doesn’t bother you so it does not interfere with fun adventures that are not actually dangerous,  but do bring you joy! My physical activities of choice are dancing and swimming. This past year I have been doing both, but the one that gets people excited and worried is my choice to swim. Excited and worried because this past year I continued to go for dips when the temperature started to drop. Some people are worried I am making reckless choices. Some worry I am going to get hurt. Some that I am going to get sick. I am doing this to have fun… … not to die. I assess a possible site and then decide if it is a safe location for a dip. On Christmas Day I got into my bathing suit and did not go for a dip. On New Year’s Day I also did not go. Some of my friends went for a dip on New Years Day! And it brought me joy! (as well as sorrow, let’s be honest here, I wanted to go)! And so, when I returned home after the holidays my search was on. A friend told me about a spring fed river near his home. The river was eight degrees Celsius, balmy for January water. January 27th was the day.  The air temperature at the river was minus eight degrees Celsius. I went for my dip… …and it was wonderful! What most people don’t understand is that the reason you don’t feel cold when you get out of cold water is because your body is hard at work keeping you warm. You do feel a little tingly,  but you don’t feel cold. I felt warm all over. I got back into my warm car and drove home a happy dipper. January – done! I am not suggesting you need to go for dips in cold water to make you feel alive, though I do highly recommend it. I have done it this past year because I love the ocean and I love water and this is how I decided to celebrate that love! It doesn’t mean I will do it every month…or every year. It does mean my heart will be open to it. Speaking of my heart… I was not able to do this before 2019 because I have superventricular tachycardia that used to result in even September water causing my heart to flip into tachycardia. So a couple of years ago I finally paid attention to my health and got that fixed. And now I have the freedom to swim, and dip, and dance – all of which I hadn’t been able to do freely for about 20 years. And so now I do what I want… …even if it means people think I am weird! As my mother would say, “Who wants to be normal anyway… …normal is boring!” Exactly, I could not have said it better myself! Wishing you days and weeks and years of wonderfully outrageous adventures! Love Velvet Living with More Joy – everyday! In the comments area below please inspire us for our journey through life by sharing your wonderfully outrageous adventures OR some ideas you have for some!