Joyfully Alive

Today was my first day on the mountain this ski season which is always physically exhausting.

It was even tougher,both mentally and emotionally, because after I planned the trip to ski today, Jan 13th, on Keystone Mountain,all of a sudden it hit me--exactly 3 years ago on Friday the 13th, I blew out my right knee skiing on a flat trail at Keystone Mountain. It was the most painful injury I've ever had. I had major reconstructive surgery replacing my ACL with a cadaver part. It took 8 months of physical therapy to fully regain use of my right leg.

I seriously considered cancelling the trip because it just felt too deja vu -- skiing on Jan 13th at Keystone with the same group!

Being Italian, I'm just naturally superstitious. Once, when skiing in France, I had that falling dream (you know where you wake up right before you hit the ground). It shook me up so much, that I decided not to ski the next day with the group. Later that night when the ashen-faced group returned, I found out that it had been a terrible day on the mountain. The guide was amazed they made it back with no one seriously injured.

I felt spooked today and was looking for a way out. When I got up this morning, I had a great one as the wind chill temperature on top of the mountain this morning was just 3 degrees and windy!
BUT I decided that I had to overcome my fears about it being Jan 13th and just have some fun. I was so nervous on that first run. I was shaking so much I could hardly make a decent turn, but about half way down the run the thrill of flying down the mountain just took over!
When people ask me, "Why do I ski especially after my accident?" It's simple --the sensation of flying down the mountain makes me feel joyfully alive.

So, fellow Boomers, have you ever thought about what makes you feel joyfully alive? Make a list and promise yourself in 2009 that you will throw your fears in the trash can and have more fun days.

REMEMBER -- It's not our chronological age that makes us feel old, but it's when we stop doing the things we love!

An excellent, easy-to-read book about overcoming fear is "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" by Dr. Susan Jeffers. http://www.amazon.com/Feel-Fear-Anyway-Susan-Jeffers/dp/0449902927

My Love Affair

It's not what you think! Today I had planned on writing about Egypt, but it snowed here last night which made think about my passion -- skiing! I've been skiing since my first trip to Chestnut Mountain Lodge in Galena Illinois in 1969; so in January 2009 I will celebrate my 40th anniversary. I fell in love with skiing on that first trip, even though we had many mishaps, the weather was freezing and I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I just knew that I loved being on the mountain and the joy of flying down the slope; well,it was the most incredibly free feeling. Then in January 1970 I skied in Winter Park Colorado and that hooked me forever. I vowed that someday I would live in Colorado and have since 1999.
Skiing has brought so much adventure and joy to my life. In 1988, I accepted a job in Heidelberg but my heartfelt reason for that major life change at age 40 was so that I could ski Europe. I was scared as I had never lived anywhere but St. Louis. I joined the ski club which was a great way to meet new friends. I'll never forget my first trip to Club Med in St. Moritz Switzerland (pictured above). What a thrill -- skiing in one of the most exclusive resorts in the world! Every weekend was a new adventure - skiing in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and France! Skiing also brought out my altruistic side as starting in 1986 I became very involved with the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park Colorado. It brought true joy to my heart to be able to help out the kids both physically and financially. So what's skiing got to do with retirement --- plenty!! It's a challenging sport that will keep you in great physical shape, it's a fun way to meet new people and staying physically fit helps you mentally. Skiing is so popular with Boomers that we even have our own club -- the Over the Hill Gang! http://www.skibumnews.com/OTHG.htm

Oh, I've been married, divorced, several other long term relationships, but no passion has lasted as long as my love affair with skiing! Try it --- you might fall in love too.