Category: Life

Yesterday was fun. We went skiing. I’m using the term loosley. Overall, I’m pretty happy with the progress I’ve made. I have been skiing a total of 3 times now. So yeah, not very much. We go once a year. And I’m 37. Have I mentioned that I’m not as springy as I used to be? Obviously I’m not on the fast track to the winter Olympics but I am learning.

I was able to get a lesson and practice on the bunny hill. I’m actually pretty good at turns (on gentle slopes) but I kinda sorta freak out when it gets steep. Hence the constant falls. On the bright side I did get the official “pass” from our instructor. Another bright spot is that they have a really nice staff up there. I may have been rescued once or twice. They had a slow day and I’m sure I provided lots of good entertainment for them.  You’re welcome.

My goal was to actually ride the lift and to make it down the hill. Technically, I did do both. Not actually on my own but hey, baby steps. Falling and making a fool of myself aside, I truly love skiing. I love the mountains and the fresh air and the beauty of it all. I love the energy and the complete vulnerability of going headlong down a snowy slope. Mostly, I love feeling completely alive. Wind, cold and all. I.am.alive.

Also, riding that lift up and up and up is about the most peaceful thing a being can do.  You know that lull you feel floating on the river?  The smoldering captivation of a campfire that you can’t look away from?  Yeah, it’s that but with snow.

And to be honest, the looking foolish part wasn’t really that bad. I realized that I am a stubbornly proud person (something I actually already knew but passionately hate to admit) and that there are a lot of kind people who get that. I was thankful that God allowed me a humbling experience and yet to maintain a bit of dignity. One more flaw that was so plainly pointed out…*sigh*. Well, pride certainly does go before the fall! Or maybe with the fall in my case.

And so I leave you with this:

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

“Go ahead, venture out and make a few mistakes.  This life won’t wait for you to get it all figured out.” – Veronica Henneke

My son complains I drive too fast. As a new driver he is hyper aware of speed/rules/infractions. He might be right about about the speed but I see no point in getting somewhere slowly unless you are just taking in the scenery. I cannot believe life is all about the journey. The journey is just what happens while we continue living. We need direction in our lives. We are all going somewhere whether we purpose to or not. It is up to us to turn our feet in the direction we intend to go and live so that our steps bring us closer to the desired destination.  The older I get the more I know that our time on earth is so very short. I don’t want to get so busy living that I forget where I’m going. I want to reach my destination!

I was talking to a friend the other day and we were discussing life in general.  The main theme was “subject to change”.  We are all here and living our lives and at any time could be caught up in a complete whirlwind (literal or figurative).  We are subject to the storms of life just like the rest of humanity.  We are so human.  Despite our differences there is so much more that unites us than divides us.  We are more the same than we realize sometimes.  We hunger and so we eat.  We are happy and we smile.  When we hurt we cry.

Life will pull the rug out from under all of us at least once.  It’s up to the individual how to adjust and carry on when things go topsy-turvy.  During a hard time someone once told me that I can handle it because I am strong.  Maybe, but I am human.  The more I live the more I know that I am really inadequate in so many ways.  This fact is only highlighted midst of the struggle.  It’s ok though.  I know that my needs and weaknesses are nothing for an all powerful God.  I can rest assured that I am enough.  In fact, with God I am more than enough.