Your father loves winter sports. He loves the mountains, the snow and he especially loves skiing. I, on the other hand, do not. I like warm weather, sand and sunscreen. Mine, are a southern people. But I love your father and I love that he wants to share his passion with you and your brothers. So for spring break this year we gathered with friends and drove seven hours to the mountains.
I did not enjoy the first day. I attempted to attend beginner lessons, but the boots set my feet on fire (an injury and story for another time). So after a mini pity party, I opted to try snow boarding, something very far out of my comfort zone. But I wanted to participate in something winter with my family, so snow boarding lessons were my next stop. I confess, strapping both legs onto a board on the side of a mountain, was not my idea of a good time.
But I had an excellent instructor. After 5 minutes of how to fall correctly, up the chairlift we went. I was terrified, having never done anything like that nor being that high off the ground with my feet strapped to a board! She all but yelled at me on the lift when I started crying out of fear. "no, crying! you can't do anything when you're crying!" She held my hands and helped me off the lift as smoothly as possible. I was actually shocked (and pleasantly surprised) at how much easier the dismount from the chairlift, compared to the takeoff!
At the top of the mountain, (aka bunny hill) we discussed how to ride down. After multiple falls and lessons in balance, it was possible. Then she gave me the best advise and to my utter surprise and delight, it worked! Then she said the same thing over and over in different ways, but the same message.
- Look at where you want to go!
- Don't focus at what you want to avoid!
- You gaze is your aim.
- Keep your eyes up!
So what does snow boarding mantras have to do with life? A lot, I think. It matters where you place your focus. It matters that you have a goal and work towards it. It matters that you look ahead and not dwell on passed failures (more me, multiple falls) or potential pitfalls (trees).
I am not just talking about positive thinking. I am talking about mindfulness, thankfulness, faith and joy.
Mindfulness, because we all need to watch where we are going, and we are all going somewhere. Don't just float, follow the crowd and worry about the future. Yes, we live in a broken world and its not hard to get caught up in the chaos and get distraught. But God has a plan for you, and me and anyone that still has breathe. Look up. Pray.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you . Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Proverbs 4:25-26Thankfulness - When we are thankful, our load is lighter, our path is smoother, and the day is brighter. I fell, a lot. The more I fell the more I was afraid. Yet, each time I was thankful I was not injured and could get up again. You will fall. You will fail and you will get discouraged. Be thankful that you got THAT far. Get up and then start again at whatever it is you're aiming for, a grade, a job, a race or goal. We usually don't hit the mark on the first try, but what a difference it makes to be thankful that you get to try again. Be thankful for another day.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6Faith and Joy - These go hand and hand, because it's impossible to have joy without faith. Joy is not like happiness, which is tied to our circumstances. Circumstances change year by year, month by month and day by day. Joy is tied to Faith. Faith in the One that has a plan for you. Faith in the One that is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:11-12I hope you try something that scares the poop out of you and you learn something new, like I did. But in the meantime, I hope you can take my lesson and apply to your life.
Love,
Mom
I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2
