I started off the weekend taking a two hour private lesson with the hubby.  Our instructor–aka Big Jim–was a sweet and easy going teacher.  Then he asked me to put on the skis and move forward down this giant hill gentle slope so we could take the little lift up.  My first thought was–he must be joking.  Why was he overestimating my ability to 1) stay upright while moving in a downward direction and 2) stop once I started.  But I figured if this guy was willing to play a human game of bowling with all those people at the bottom of the incline, I was brave enough to see how many I could knock down.

Obviously, Big Jim could smell talent.  Because once I got my snow legs under me, I was pretty good for a newbie LOL!  With a little instruction, some dancer’s balance and my runners legs, it wasn’t long before I was kicking fluffy butt on the bunny slopes.  But, it was very interesting to me to realize that I could have good balance and strong legs, but I still needed to understand those key pieces of instruction to make me comfortable on the slopes.  All the little tidbits were helpful, but there was one in particular that really stuck with me and I think it translates very well to real life…

I know this sounds like the most obvious piece of information EVER–kind of like–if you fall down, the best way to get up is to stand on your feet, but I swear it hadn’t occurred to me.  In my mind, the whole point of skiing is to go DOWN THE HILL and the best way to slow down is to hit the brakes and snow plow.  And of course–if that doesn’t work–fall down.  

But, seriously, shouldn’t it be obvious that reversing direction slows that trajectory?  


My mind kept returning to the simplicity of the concept.  When life is moving too fast.  When things are out of control–slow down and turn around.  Go back to the place and the speed where you feel comfortable.

Wait for it…you know it’s coming…

In my mind, being a debut author is an exhilarating, once in a lifetime, wind-in-your hair kind of journey and sometimes–without warning–you find yourself traveling downhill way too fast.  I’ve seen people throw on their snow plows while leaving a smoke trail behind.  They rapidly burn through all the energy that they have.  I’ve seen people crash when they couldn’t put the breaks on fast enough.  I’ve felt myself have those moments where things begin to happen way too quickly and in a panic, I make a not so advantageous snap decision. And then I’m kicking myself afterwards.

I think that from now on, I’m going to try to remember what I learned on the slopes.  I don’t need to panic, I just need to make a gentle turn and head up hill until I’m moving slow enough that I can make a thoughtful decision about where to point my skis next.  I need to use my environment and my skills to my best advantage.  There is nothing wrong with setting your own pace and being comfortable.  It’s a lot more fun to make it down the hill dry and on your skis than it is to roll down on your face–cold and wet–too afraid to ever try it again.  :o)

So, have you ever been skiing?  Best tip?  Funniest story?  Biggest fear?