[Symbolism] You aren't actually cold, your body is trying to prevent you from getting cold.

This may be a little far-out, but hopefully some will find meaning.

Years ago I was walking through the cold, walking from one building to another, maybe an 8 minute walk. As is typical, I had my shoulders hunched up, hood draped over my face, body clenched and muscles stiff. The cold wind was blowing, and as I walked I would turn away to reduce the wind on my face. I could feel myself shiver as I first stepped into the cold.

As I started to walk two things dawned on me. 1. It had recently snowed and the walk I was rushing through was very scenic, peaceful and beautiful. 2. Your body will start shivering once the core temperature has dropped. Well, I just stepped outside, there is no way my core temperature had dropped. I hadn't shivered, I had shuddered.

shudder Verb 1. tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion.

Revelation: I was walking a short distance from one heated building to another. I was in no way at risk for hypothermia or even any physical harm beyond a sensation of cold as I walked.

I was not reacting to my body being cold, I was reacting to the fear of becoming cold. At that moment I relaxed all of my tensed muscles, faced forward, and enjoyed the most memorable walk I've had in my life. Yes, my skin could feel the sensation of cold, and I DNGAF, I was here to enjoy my peaceful walk with beautiful scenery. By the end of the walk I feelt like I had turned an important corner in my life. Something only has power over you if you give it that power.

Symbolism: You aren't actually cold, your body is trying to prevent you from getting cold.

The natural behavior as you step out from the warmth into the cold is designed to preserve life. Your body doesn't know how long you will be in the cold, so it prepares for the worst.

How does this relate to TRP? When you view the world with a view of scarcity, you are willing to suffer at the will of another force to preserve what little you have. i.e. you put up with an abusive wife and dead bedroom because you don't know how long you might be in the cold and this might be your only chance to stay warm.

When you view the world with abundance, your warmth is generated from within, you can have as much as you want. External forces cannot dictate your happiness, you shape the world around you to achieve your happiness.

Stand tall, take control of your life, and enjoy the journey.