Skiing in 2016

I went skiing today with my eldest son.

We had a great time, and he got lots better. As we sat in the lodge As I explored in Climbing! Hisashiburi!,As I explored in Climbing! Hisashiburi!, sometimes the lines between skiing and climbing get blurred, making it easy to appreciate the similarities between these two sports. I thought about skiing, and regurgitated some old thoughts I had about climbing.

It’s Real

Skiing and climbing are good because they are real. they are honest. If you ski well, you get down safely, and have fun. If you ski badly, you fall, and you might even hurt yourself (although this is not so common as people think…). You always know your level regardless of what you say to other people. (unless of course you are a wimp and stay 3000 km inside your boundaries that is….).

So It is Honest

No one is saying ‘that’s great!’ when it actually isn’t. And even if they are saying it, you know it is true or false by whether or not you are falling down. That’s honesty, and it is healthy. It helps us grow. and it keeps us connected to reality.

And it is healthy.

Not only for your body, with the exercise and fresh air. It is healthy for your spirit too. Keeps you humble, knowing your limits and your true ability. As I reflected on in Surprising Realization,As I reflected on in Surprising Realization, humility is indeed a valuable trait that we often overlook. It's something that skiing has taught me to appreciate, as it keeps us equal with those around us and lowers our self importance. It's something that skiing has taught me to appreciate, as it keeps us equal with those around us and lowers our self importance. Humility keeps us equal with those around us and lowers our self importance, so those around us find us easier to live with. Building on ideas from Uphill Progress, I believe that skiing's benefits extend beyond individual growth. Building on ideas from Uphill Progress, I believe that skiing's benefits extend beyond individual growth. It can even improve our relationships with others by keeping us humble and grounded. Yep. Skiing is good.

And fun.