With fear, trepidation and a touch of exhilaration I was off to the mountains to ski. As if the day was encouraging me, it was crystal clear, sunny and just the right amount of fresh – cold without being frigid.
As the experience loomed closer I made a conscious decision to not fall prey the “Kindergarten Complex.” This complex is the temptation to appear to know what you are doing when you absolutely don’t. And you believe that everyone else knows what they are doing and will expect you to know too. I therefore, approached the day with an openness to the experience and a willingness to ask questions. I can only know what I know, and I did not know a thing about this ski resort, it’s facilities, its runs or really, how to ski.
The first hurdle to overcome was attaching the lift ticket to the wire hangar thingy and secure it to my zipper. I secretly observed others, and woi la, success. Next project, locate the ‘facilities.’ ‘Decide to have lunch first. The $3 I saved on ½ day equipment rental instead of full day rental did not go very far in the cafeteria .
Over to the equipment depot to be properly outfitted and off I clomp in my space-like boots with my short skis over my shoulder to the bunny hill! Hurdle #2; the chair lift. Get myself lined up before the next chair comes and woo hoo, success again. ‘wish I could say I gracefully departed the chair at the top, but it more or less dropped me. I did land upright and got out of the way before injury or insult. The bunny hill runs were narrow and steep, but thankfully short. I am not ashamed to report I executed the first couple of runs in full snow plow position, but after a few more, I got the hang of it and eventually employed the whole width of the runs in more or less s-shaped fashion . I had a couple near-wipe outs, but recovered myself in time and avoided danger to myself and/or others.
Now warmed up and with a modicum of confidence, I approached another chair lift and rode very, very high, with ever increasing wind chill and trepidation to a ‘blue’ run. After a consultation with the map to be sure I was not going to wind up some where I didn’t want to be, I proceeded to where I found direction to my route. The signs literally read “This Is The Easy Way.” I love signs, they are a wonder. This Easy run was not much different from the bunny hill runs, just longer. The narrow parts where the snow boarders blew by me before I sensed their presence was a bit unnerving. It did not even bother me when the hipply-dressed 3 foot and shorter ‘peeps’ went by me too. Kowabunga dudes! I was so jazzed by the time I got to the bottom, I swear I wooted.
I did nearly 3 hours of skiing and no accidents….I was sure I had one more run in me, but I figured I would quit while I was ahead. Back at my car, fatigue and soreness were already making their announcements. But, it was a satisfying fatigue and soreness.
It was tempting for me to stay home in my comfort zone. But getting out there and actually experiencing one of my wishes has given me a jolt of confidence as well as an expansion of my own enforced boundaries. I am freer today than I was yesterday.
I’m leaving skiing on my list!
As the experience loomed closer I made a conscious decision to not fall prey the “Kindergarten Complex.” This complex is the temptation to appear to know what you are doing when you absolutely don’t. And you believe that everyone else knows what they are doing and will expect you to know too. I therefore, approached the day with an openness to the experience and a willingness to ask questions. I can only know what I know, and I did not know a thing about this ski resort, it’s facilities, its runs or really, how to ski.
The first hurdle to overcome was attaching the lift ticket to the wire hangar thingy and secure it to my zipper. I secretly observed others, and woi la, success. Next project, locate the ‘facilities.’ ‘Decide to have lunch first. The $3 I saved on ½ day equipment rental instead of full day rental did not go very far in the cafeteria .
Over to the equipment depot to be properly outfitted and off I clomp in my space-like boots with my short skis over my shoulder to the bunny hill! Hurdle #2; the chair lift. Get myself lined up before the next chair comes and woo hoo, success again. ‘wish I could say I gracefully departed the chair at the top, but it more or less dropped me. I did land upright and got out of the way before injury or insult. The bunny hill runs were narrow and steep, but thankfully short. I am not ashamed to report I executed the first couple of runs in full snow plow position, but after a few more, I got the hang of it and eventually employed the whole width of the runs in more or less s-shaped fashion . I had a couple near-wipe outs, but recovered myself in time and avoided danger to myself and/or others.
Now warmed up and with a modicum of confidence, I approached another chair lift and rode very, very high, with ever increasing wind chill and trepidation to a ‘blue’ run. After a consultation with the map to be sure I was not going to wind up some where I didn’t want to be, I proceeded to where I found direction to my route. The signs literally read “This Is The Easy Way.” I love signs, they are a wonder. This Easy run was not much different from the bunny hill runs, just longer. The narrow parts where the snow boarders blew by me before I sensed their presence was a bit unnerving. It did not even bother me when the hipply-dressed 3 foot and shorter ‘peeps’ went by me too. Kowabunga dudes! I was so jazzed by the time I got to the bottom, I swear I wooted.
I did nearly 3 hours of skiing and no accidents….I was sure I had one more run in me, but I figured I would quit while I was ahead. Back at my car, fatigue and soreness were already making their announcements. But, it was a satisfying fatigue and soreness.
It was tempting for me to stay home in my comfort zone. But getting out there and actually experiencing one of my wishes has given me a jolt of confidence as well as an expansion of my own enforced boundaries. I am freer today than I was yesterday.
I’m leaving skiing on my list!
RSS Feed
