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@Nahm Thanks a lot, that's a great way of approaching it. Never thought of a vision board, I'll have to look into that!

Morning/Afternoon Everybody. Brief brief history.. Before I found out about actualized.org I had no experience with personal development. During that time I picked up a marijuana habit, out of boredom/self-medication I imagine. A few years ago I started watching Leo videos, went to therapy, got properly diagnosed ocd (not a major case) and started an SSRI. During this whole process, the marijuana habit has lingered (frequency varying from 1-4 sessions per week). I have listened to Leo's video about overcoming addiction and up until the last few months I never thought much about quitting. Just wondering about anyone else's success stories regarding ditching this vice. I have reduced the amount smoked at times, stopped purchasing large quantities so it isn't readily available, and sat in my emotions during times when I had the opportunity to be smoking. Would like to get an honest discussion going about the struggle of ditching it.

@Whywolf Thanks for the response man. I would say I am at like +/- 3 bowls a week nowadays. Not too much consumed, but still a habit though. Good job going the cold turkey route. I thought cutting back and replacing smoking times with positive habits could be good but maybe you are right with the cold turkey approach. My main two friends I smoke with & I recently went to a self-development work shop on a night we could typically be blazing. It's one of the first times in a while we have done something without weed involved. I have also told friends who don't drink/smoke that I plan to be cutting back and eventually quitting.

@Evilwave Heddy Nice man good to hear you're doing them too. They get a nice momentum built up behind you to use in every other aspect of the day.

Day 5 - 4:15 Burrrrr. Hit the gym tonight after work and then came home and did some shovelling; so I would of normally cranked the heat in there and drained all remaining energy. Not tonight though, extended the cold shower and got an energy boost. It is getting easier after the first few seconds more and more now. I am excited to have an early shower this weekend and see how alive I feel throughout the day! Gratitude: I am thankful for the nice dinner my girlfriend prepared. I am thankful to have a solution planned to my truck issue. I am thankful I found articles by Ajahn Chah earlier.

@Evilwave Heddy Beautiful. I can see going the self help route. Once you dive into these topics I think it's inevitable that you become passionate regarding them. Slow and steady for sure, contemplating every day and working on a vision.

Day 4 - 4:00 So far this week I have been feeling less tired than I normally would. I am wondering how much of that feeling is this cold shower challenge. Could it literally be the cold water or maybe the high of trying something new and staying on top of it? Either way, I have been having a positive week. I up'ed the time again and by the end of it I was not too phased by the temperature. Gratitude: I am thankful I got to spend time with my mom and sister tonight. I am thankful I sleep like a rock at night. I am thankful I started this challenge.

@AlexB Just start doing better yourself and that energy will ripple outwards. The only person you can improve is you. Until they want to make changes on their own, nothing will be a success!

@Evilwave Heddy I got the course too! Just started to watch the videos so I am not very far into it. That's solid that you are approaching what you want to pursue. I need to be more consistent with the rate at which I watch the videos. I feel a year ago I would be able to say what I am passionate about a lot easier. Ever since learning more about ego and diving deeper into my mind I feel I don't know as concretely anymore. The answer used to be weights and powerlifting, but I feel it wasn't for the right reasons. I still love the gym though and am consciously training more for health nowadays rather than a heavier lift. This course will help me find my truths though.

@Evilwave Heddy Just read through the thread and am curious how everything has panned out for you so far? I am in a similar situation, in a job which I am not passionate about, early on in my self-development journey. While I am not passionate about the job, I did go to college for it and have mastered it pretty well throughout the years. I can even fit in time to listen to podcasts and post on these forums to work on myself as I work too. How's learning been over the past couple months??

Day 3 - 3:45 A warm shower would of been my first move following today's work day, after spending some time out in the cold. Regardless, the challenge continues and I did not allow myself any warm water! It was tough before getting in, but once I completed it the regular positive feelings were present again. Speaking of positives, I spent my night off from the gym attending a workshop (more like a group discussion) all about co-dependency. It was my first workshop and I think I'll do them every Wednesday. Since I'll be reporting in this forum everyday I think I may start listing my gratitude thoughts in here, rather than having a separate document for that purpose. Gratitude: I am thankful my friends introduced me to that discussion group. I am thankful my two cats are healthy. I am thankful I am in good health and did not pick up the bug going around.

@quantum I am also following a cold shower challenge and just wanted to say good job getting it done during the morning! I have not done it first thing yet, I've been having mine at night time.

Day 2 - 3:30 Today was a little more difficult. It's been cold/rainy all day and coming in from the gym in that weather wasn't serving the cold shower up pleasantly! Regardless, the body feels great again post shower. I had a back workout tonight which ended my split of 4 days on at the gym, so it's all positive for my muscles. I up'ed the time to 3:30 and it was a little rougher. I don't really know how many benefits there are the longer I go, but I'll continue to raise the time. It really is a confidence booster throughout the day. Nothing is quite as cold as those few minutes, which gives me an edge up here in Canadian weather (even though it's warm for winter currently). Thanks for reading!

@John Flores Yeah I am definitely not prepared to hop on that train (psychedelics). I still have to get a solid meditation routine ironed out. Thanks for the thoughtful response! One day I will meet it!

Morning/Evening Everyone. Recently two friends suggested I follow a guided meditation to come into contact with my spirit animal. Does anybody in here have any experience with this topic? I tried the meditation but was having a hard time calming my thoughts on that occasion. I thought this would be a good place to learn about the relevancy of this topic to my spirituality.

@John Flores Interesting. The only others I have heard of were bear & elk. It would be great to figure it out one day, so I could come into contact with it in a dream or trip state (just a guess on the drug trip part, I have no experience with psychedelics).

@Whywolf I have also read about your animal re-visiting you when needed, via dreams. Nothing stands out to me looking back at my own dreams though. I will probably try through the guided meditation again when it's a little more spontaneous.

@Loreena Thank you for the process. The one I used was similar, guided with a youtube video. @ajasatya That's what I was afraid of happening (regarding my ego desiring to be some majestic animal). Thanks for going the extra mile and giving me that link to the zen centers around me! Much appreciated, as I am relatively new to discovering spirituality in general.

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@Zane I second what you are saying about a first time trip to New York being a shocker. It is definitely a lot of chaos! So much materialism.. not exactly a "clear your mind and return refreshed" kind of vacation. I knew that going into it though. You are right, it is a very good place to test yourself. I was able to have some great experiences too, like seeing two Broadway shows. I can't praise those talents enough. Best of luck with your travels in 2017!

@Evilwave Heddy Exactly. I identify with all of those feelings. Good on ya!

Day 1 - 3:05 What a rush! I have had cold water on my mind all day, waiting to get this challenge started. Today I worked in the day time then headed to the gym for a shoulder work out. First thing I want to note is how good I feel post-shower. My muscles feel relaxed and I am now sitting here feeling refreshed. When I got out of the shower I could see my veins in my back and shoulders more (looking blue) as if I was witnessing the blood moving better! Regarding the timing, I thought I would see my starting point of how long it takes me to wash my hair & body with some soaking afterwards. Now I will add time to that baseline number each shower. Once again, any advice or challenge suggestions are welcome. @Evilwave Heddy I took your advice and it was much easier to stay put under the water. Thanks again. I hope this thread will evolve into more than cold showers, I just have to figure out what other self developments to add along the way.

@Evilwave Heddy Great call. I was doing the in and out thing yesterday. Thanks a lot!

@Phil I know eh! I feel so grateful that I am aware of sources like actualized.org. All it takes is stumbling across one Leo video and maybe these "everyday" people start down a new path.

@quantum This resonates with me too. My dad was always successful at putting food on the table and a roof over our heads but failed to connect with us on an emotional level. He would come home feeling those ways as well, while barely staying awake passed dinner. It seems to be an even harder hole to climb out of as a middle aged man. While his own mental state will keep him trapped there he also lacks the skills some may take for granted every day like operating a podcast on a phone, youtube, or internet forums. Without those things it's probably a lot more difficult to keep from being fooled.