I often find it a challenge to simply begin and take the first step. Whether it's sitting down to write, making that phone call, starting a new project, exercise, program or another season of my favorite activity, it is frequently a challenge for me to overcome my tendency to procrastinate and just begin.
It may seem cliche' to "begin with end in mind " yet for me this is compelling. For the past 16 seasons, I have worked as a ski instructor at Bristol Mountain, the local ski resort. As each season begins, I find myself struggling to get in a groove, feeling tight and uncomfortable. After a few weeks it comes back, why I love the sport and teaching kids. If I gave into my reluctance, I would miss out on a tremendous opportunity to serve, grow and have fun. The same thing occurs in the spring at the start of biking season, my favorite warm weather sport. The first few rides are tough, often even painful. After a several times out, I'm back in a riding groove and even enjoying the uphill climbing!
For me, skiing is a metaphor for life. Often it's smooth and graceful just cruising downhill without a care in the world. Then suddenly there's rough terrain, ice, bumps and you struggle or fall.
How often is life just like that, simply unpredictable? Skiing terrain varies from slope to slope like life varies from day to day. One day we are on, feeling really in the flow, the next we might just be struggling to get anything accomplished. All too often life, like skiing can be treacherous. the question is, do we get back up when we fall or simply give up? Determination is required to begin as well as to carry on.
At times we find ourselves working hard to climb that steep hill and other times we are moving in a wonderful groove downhill. Skiing for me is one of life's most honest, exciting and often cruel activities. Lately, many of my peers ask me if I'm retired yet.
I have no plans to do that anytime soon. In fact my current mindset is that my life adventure is just commencing. While I continue to "work" in my chosen career in commercial real estate, my paradigm has evolved and I now enjoy the work more than ever. At the same time, I have several avocations and new goals that inspire me and keep my perspective fresh and young.
So welcome back to this BLOG site. We have changed the name and welcome guest posts and your feedback.