Fall rains have been unrelenting the pass few days. So decided to head north for my cold plunge at remote harbor I haven't visited since end of last winter. 
With a brief break in the weather everyone was headed to the lake. Seemed a bit crowded, didn't want to deal with on lookers. Harbor north of town rarely ever gets crowded. 
Air temp was 7.2°c, water was 6.9°c, spent 10 minutes in water. First frost is not far off, perhaps couple of weeks. Most people have a dread for fall season with constant fog and rain. I on the other hand look forward to the shifting of light and shadows.
With a brief break in the weather everyone was headed to the lake. Seemed a bit crowded, didn't want to deal with on lookers. Harbor north of town rarely ever gets crowded.
Air temp was 7.2°c, water was 6.9°c, spent 10 minutes in water. First frost is not far off, perhaps couple of weeks. Most people have a dread for fall season with constant fog and rain. I on the other hand look forward to the shifting of light and shadows.
View from hotel room.
Traveling this week, its gonna be a real challenge fitting in my workouts. Hotel will not have a gym, but there is a local recreation center think I'll take advantage of for acfew days.Dropping the rental car, prefer to get in more walking.
#nosfit #grownostr
Followed by a morning cold plunge at 7.2°c, for 8 mins.
Air and water temperature were the same 7.7°c. Spent 8 mins in the lake.
Had a visitor this morning, reddish brown lab dog swam over to me from the boat ramp. She was very excited to have someone to play with. Owner called her out of the water after he realized I was in the water.
Been a busy week at work and at play. If the weather improves perhaps I'll go for a run this afternoon. If not I'll hit the rowing machine to chase away the grey. #nostfit
Watched the creek change it course and depth over past 16 months. I too have changed with it. Cold plunging has changed my own life course and surprisingly going deeper into prayer with God.
0630, 5 mins, 7.9°c
There's a reason why Christ spent time alone, removed from normal trappings of man's daily life. To be immerse in prayer with God, to experience freedom from troubles and fears that press in on our thought life.
To purposefully withdraw from others and daily activities to choose solitude and silence, even for just a little while, changes the course and depth of one's faith life.
A friend texted last night that a childhood friend of his was going into hospice care. He shared that this person essential drank themselves to death.
It's a familiar story one that I've encountered while doing AA ministry in the prisons several years back. Even more familiar knowing my grandfather died the same way.
Drinking alcohol is a very hot topic among the Redeemed that has been argued and discussed for thousands of years. While some believe in complete abstinence, others think it's fine to enjoy a drink now and then.
This topic is increasingly discussed in secular sphere as well, usually along health impacts on individuals and society.
Seen the countless studies, the FUD, and lastly the memes about alcohol.
Whether its alcohol or some other addictive object we desire, if you look to friends, family, or society to accuse or excuse your actions then you will remain in bondage to addiction.
It would be hubris to pretend I have 'the answers', but I'll add my voice to the mix in hopes that my words will help someone in their journey. But its also a given that my words will rub up against others. The rub is none of us are really alone in that regards.
There are plenty of answers, but the choice to seek then follow any of them becomes even more problematic. With any addiction our choices begin from a place of bondage, in the shadows. Yet in that dark place we long for the freedom the light of day promises. Stumbling blocks are easily seen in the light.
One common denominator among those escaping addiction, as a starting place, had to do with 'forgiveness'. Forgiveness starts from place of accepting our weakness, and vulnerability, one we share with all of humanity.
Fortunately in that still quite place you begin to realize everyone is working out their salvation, their own personal immortality projects out on one another. Accepting that we ourselves have contributed to our own suffering and likewise to the suffering of others parts this darkness.
In that moment of parting there is a realization we are seeking redemption from one other. If everyone is broken then how is redemption even possible? Ironic the desire for rightness or wholeness begins from within, but ultimately must come from outside us. Even from outside the broken ever shifting redemptive nature of humanity.
Out of all the spiritual narrative's only one speaks to the reality of a lasting forgiveness and redemption. One granting us lasting freedom from our addictions...Gospel of Christ Jesus.
There in is the rub of the matter. A redemption and freedom not of our own making, outside of humanity, doesn't set well with us.
I'll end this here. After being set free, learn to remain free, by considering these words..
"Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is edifying." ~1 Corinthian 10:23
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." ~Galatians 5:1
Entered water during high tide at 15°c, no wetsuit just regular swim shorts, goggles, swim cap, and swim buoy in tow. Beautiful sunny day, perhaps last day of summer.
Was making really great time. All the pool preparations were paying off. Halfway out the water temp had a noticeable drop in temps to around 12°c. Its important to lift ones head, sighting to make sure your on track. Came to a stop at about 75 meters from mooring buoy, soon reslized I wasn't alone! A curious seal popped up in front of the buoy.
Having spent years on these waters fishing knew enough it was time to turn around head back to the beach. Didn't have time to focus on cross species encounter. Mental energy needed to stay on task in cold water was more important.
The spring rains and snow melt has filled in the creek with sediment and rocks accumulating over the long summer. 
So I headed off to one of our beaches to do my cold plunge, 5 mins at 5.5°c. The scenery didn't disappoint.
