This past weekend I was skiing with my daughter Julia, a couple of her friends and their families. We don’t ski very often, maybe once a year. The girls are pretty athletic, and their progress in just this short two-day trip was pretty amazing. By mid-day on day #2 they were feeling comfortable on their skis, maybe even a little cocky, and were ready for a bit more challenge. It was time for the “Black Diamond.”

Anticipation had been building for weeks. The “Black Diamond” slopes were the toughest our Western Mayland mountain had to offer. Once the gauntlet had been thrown, and the girls called each other’s bluff, it was “go time.” We headed to the fiercely named “Odin’s Chute.” I skied to the crest of the “cliff” and watched as the girls cautiously approached. Even through their tinted goggles, I could see their eyes increase in size as they began to realize they could see the bottom but could not see the hill itself.

Being teenage girls and great friends they are usually full of chatter. At this time, however, there was silence. By now they had descended a preliminary hill and knew there was no going back. As a Coach and a Dad, this is the type of teachable moment you dream of….. The expressions on their faces said,

“I will listen to anything you have to say if it keeps me alive.”  

There were no arguments, no rebuttals, just a united focus that non-verbally said… “yes, I’m listening.”

The other parents and I refilled the girls rapidly depleting reserves of confidence and assured them that they were completely capable of accomplishing what they set out to do. They just needed to take this on like they would any seemingly insurmountable task. In bite sized pieces.  It was one turn at a time and to cut it into small “chunks.”  By this I mean, ski across the side of the mountain, turn and ski back.  With each turn, they would descend a little more.  Don’t worry about the next turn, only what’s in front of you.  One turn at a time.  That’s exactly what they did.  They took on the mountain, cut it into bite size “chunks”, accomplished their goal and claimed a well-deserved victory.

The girls know me well enough to realize I will always find a deeper meaning, and this was no exception.  Throughout life, we are continually faced with projects, tasks, long-range goals, which make us shake in our boots.  When we break them down and take them one turn at a time, eventually we get where we want to go.  Sure we are scared.  Sure we question if what we are about to do is a wise decision.  We probably won’t even accomplish the goal our first attempt.  But when we earn the right to pose for the picture, it’s worth a thousand words.

The sign above them says it all.

What’s your next Black Diamond????