Maybe I should go back to the beginning. When you learn to do something there is an extreme amount of thought that goes on. Take, riding a bike for instance. You have to think about keeping your feet on the pedals, you have to think about turning them, you to think about keeping it moving, you have to think about balance, you have to look where you're going and determine your route, you have to think about turning the wheel... But eventually you kind of figure this all out and your brain begins to cut out a lot of the thought that originally was there. After some practice, you don't really think about it anymore. It's less of a conscious thought instead it's a response. You're thinking, but not loudly.
I learned to ski when I was very young. There was a program for elementary schools to go to the mountain and learn to ski. Mt Holly elementary's day was Friday afternoon. Those were the best days as an elementary age kid. I began when I was 6. I remember crashing down the smallest of inclines into the arms of a volunteer instructor. I then remember learning before I was truly afraid to hurt myself. Kids have fear, but they can be more easily encouraged to get beyond it than adults. Because of this skiing for me is like riding a bike, swimming or even walking to some. I learned so young that my body reacts to a situation rather than my brain making decisions and solving problems.
Skiing is like walking, I don't to think about it. That is why I love skiing because I concentrate, but my mind gets quite. As I'm going down the hill I'm hyper focused. The only sounds are those of my skis against the snow and the wind rushing past me. I look at the trail ahead and respond. In a world of over stimulation from music, advertisements, noise... it's hard to find a place where you can get outside and inside your head quiet. It's a form of meditation. I always leave the hill happy. For me I find that peace and serenity on the slopes.
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