Snowboarding: Point Your Nose Down and Go

Snowboarding season is here! Yeah!

Beginning season conditions, well let's face it, they kinda suck. But it doesn't matter because everyone is so stoked that it's time to ski/ride again.

So I went to Loveland Ski Area a couple of weeks ago (holla! love that place!), and there was there usual icy patches in the mandmade stuff. Thank goodness I learned to ride east coast, so I am more than used to it.

Anyway, so I was riding down a steep section under Chair 6 and it got super icy, choppy, chunky, just gnarly. I tried to fight it, side swiping, digging in my edge at first. But then about half way down, thought "Screw that, I'm just going to point my nose downhill and go."

So, what happened? I bent my knees, picked up speed, and went with the terrain. And guess what? No spills. Haha, a couple of scares, but all ended well.

While I was doing this I thought about how snowboarding was a metaphor for life. Instead of fighting the terrain (or what life throws at you), sometimes you should just ride out that wave and go with it. You may fall hard. But, you may not. And if you don't fall, it may have just been one heck of a ride out. Which, you may not have experienced if you didn't just point your nose down and go.

Giving Back

Giving back, paying it forward, charity. It makes you feel good. Now is certainly the time of year when it's seems easier to do. There's opportunities-a-plenty to give to food banks, toy donation centers, families in need at the holiday season.

Why do people freely engage in these activities? Is there true altruism? Do people actually give and expect nothing (nada, nilch, zippo) in return? I would argue that the feeling you get when you do negates this proposition. Whether this feeling is: pride, accomplishment, warm and fuzzy, whatever...it makes you feel good.

Recently I had a discussion with someone about focusing on yourself or putting your efforts towards focusing on someone else. The statement was made to me that the first half of one's life was spent focusing on one's self: going to/completing school, finding a soul-mate, career progression. In other words, me, me, me. How can I improve myself. But, then you come to the second half of your life (midlife?). You have, or should have, already accomplished these things for yourself. And be ready to take care of someone else. Whether it be a child, an elderly parent, or someone else, now is the time to give back.

Is this what a midlife crisis is all about? The refusal to accept that it's now time to focus on others? That although you should have gotten everything accomplished for yourself by now, perhaps you haven't?

But I digress...

'Tis the season to get out and do for others. Whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual giving, give what you can to those whose needs are bigger than yours. Give what you are overflowing in.

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered, you will never grow. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Close-mindedness. How's that working out for you?

As voting day comes to a close, it reminds me of a subject that a colleague and I were discussing the other day. Close-mindedness. I mean, everyone knows what I am talking about here, especially as it relates to politics. You're a liberal. Your friend is a conservative. You try to convey your ideas, thoughts, or opinions to your friend but they just won't listen. ARGGGH!

So, as a self-proclaimed open-minded individual, where does being close-minded get you? I am not talking about having convictions, or having strong values that you stand behind. That, I get. But at what point do you close your mind and make the decision that no matter what the individual you are speaking with says, you are not going to listen, entertain, or even acknowledge his/her thoughts or opinions? Or better yet, you decide to berate the individual for having a different opinion than yours.

I love variety. I love diversity. I know when I think I am right, I can be a bit stubborn (many can attest to that). But I also know that differing viewpoints and perspectives on matters help to create the most whole truth that there can be. And therein lies the true value of being open-minded: knowledge.

Knowledge and wisdom are power. So maybe we should open our minds a bit man and see the world in a whole new way.

 

 

 

 

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
― Albert Einstein

On Caring

The inspiration for this post came from a conversation I recently had on a 3 hour flight. The random encounter was nothing short of miraculous, but I'll spare those details here. The important part was the outcome and my realization of the importance of a basic concept. Caring.

We all work with, or in some way interact with people who care and people who don't. The way these interactions look are drastically different. Customer service is a great example. If someone cares about you, about the product they are selling or fixing, about the end result of the interaction, this comes through. A caring individual goes the extra mile to ensure a positive outcome. A caring person shows empathy. A caring person works hard to make sure that whatever they care about is shown in a positive light in the end.

Juxtaposition this caring person with someone who doesn't. Not caring can manifest itself in a number of ways. Avoidance. Sabotage. Poor performance. When you want to get something done, a noncaring individual is the worst kind of person to deal with.

What determines how much you care? Is it your circumstance? Your personality? Your outlook on life?

I am a passionate person. When I don't care about something it's blatantly obvious (I can't help it!). And when I care, it's obvious too. So, I surround myself with people and things I care about. And let my care shine.

(Here I am receiving a customer service award this year. Cheesy I know).

Here we go...

So after much thought, but not enough research I'm sure, I've decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon. I'm admittedly not a great writer, so if you are looking for high level prose you are probably in the wrong place.

I hope to share adventures, passion, knowledge, and hopefully inspiration. Laugh at my mistakes and revel in my errors. I do!