” Enjoy the moment, wherever you
are.” Rachel’s words have been ringing through me (as her wise words often do),
and I thought about the meaning of coming to meet each moment whatever state of
mind or body you may be in. We often try to disconnect from the moments in an
attempt to not face the emotions directly. It’s a difficult thing to fully
LIVE. To fully feel. To fully be human.
One of the beauties of this team is that it meets you right
where you are, right in the moment; whether you have it all together or whether
you are a train wreck!
Skiing at the World University
Games is both an incredible experience at the same time as being amazingly
emotionally and physically difficult. International racing makes you realize
that success is only relative and gives me a larger perspective on skiing. After
starting off the season with several great finishes back in the states, I was
in tears half way through the team sprint today. After only 3k of racing, with
no racers in sight in front or behind me, I was physically and emotionally drained.
And yet there was my team urging all of their energy into me to not give up
quite yet, all of their cheers to help me enjoy even this moment of challenge
in my racing season. As I waited with anticipation for Ben to come flying
around the last corner to tag off, I realized that waiting is almost as hard as
experiencing the peaks and valleys. Waiting through hours of summer training
for the snow to arrive, waiting in the days leading up to a race, or waiting
for everything to pay off, these are the most important times of preparation. I
don’t want to waste the waiting so I’m going to savor every moment of it
immersed in this new culture.
It’s amazing to be here because as
soon as you start missing the sunshine, steady internet connection or the foods
and entertainment you are used to, you are immediately reminded of how lucky
you are to see skiers from all over the world, hearing 28 languages drifting in
the wind and a rainbow array of colors dotting the freshly snowy trails.
I have tears in my eyes reading this. So proud of you !
ReplyDeleteThe Zen of skiing! Your post reminds me of the Henri Nouwen piece we read at Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYes! "Being in the moment"..."being mindful"...so we don't miss out on the living part of life! Nice Elise!
ReplyDelete