Fulfillment

Breath keeps us alive, but I would argue that the rush of fulfilling our passions is critical to living a vigorous and satisfying life. One of my passions is skiing. I missed only one season from being in Brasil, and this Monday found me at the Bird with 12in of fresh powder. I contemplated the glorious reality that I was making fresh tracks and the absolute stoke that results. The satisfaction of skiing better than I ever have and the blessing of being with my parents at my favorite resort with such ideal conditions. I realized how much these activities augment our satisfaction with life. In fact, they make you feel like you are actually alive.

Your blood pumps as you traverse the treacherous track to make it to that one patch of untouched snow, anticipating your turns, you are completely focused. And without hesitation, you launch yourself into your chosen line, looking ahead to your next turn and with an internal smile, you soak in the exhilaration of the fluffy powder and your perfect turns. Your burning thighs yell for you to stop, but the stoke overrides any desire to give in. As you flow from one turn to another, you realize you are in a moment of absolute perfection. Getting on the lift, I offer up an absolutely sincere prayer of overflowing gratitude for His marvelous creations, and our chance to partake.

We skiied three days. There was stoke in each run. My nose got totally burnt, but I had returned to the mountain that had provided countless epic memories from years before. I felt a new sense of life.