You Are Already Wise

Last week, I had the privilege to go skiing for the first time in almost twenty years.

And, it reminded me how much wisdom is stored in our bodies. 

My body knew how to ski. When I got off the lift at the top of the mountain, I didn’t have to think. Muscle memory kicked in and I was able to ski effortlessly and well. 

Skiing <alone> allowed me an opportunity to get out of my head and into my body. To feel the bottom of my feet against the snow and the front of my skins in my boots. To feel the burn of my quads at the end of a long run. To feel the cold wind on my face as I whipped down the slopes. 

It felt like my body was re-establishing its presence: “I am here! I exist! Let’s play!” 

I’m sad to admit that I often forget about my body! I am a cerebral person and I live in my brain. Even when I’m exercising, I’m listening to a podcast or turning the Rubik’s cube on a client issue or brainstorming ways to help my kids. I’m rarely just moving.

Skiing, I was able to abide in my body. To just let myself be present. To be still <in movement>. My brain emptied out and my body filled up.

I experienced the mountain, the terrain, and the vistas with exquisite awareness and gratitude. 

I experienced gratitude for all the wisdom our bodies hold that goes untouched for years, or even decades, waiting to be revealed. I was grateful for all the ski lessons my parents gave us and all the happy memories I have of skiing with them + my sister.  I was grateful that my family <all first time skiers> had the courage to point their skis down mountain and join me in a sport I love. 

My time on the mountain reminded me who I really am – who I’ve always been – at a cellular level. 

Knowing who we really are is something wordless – it is not thought, but experienced.  And, there was this realization of the simplicity of life.  My whole life I have been trying to solve the magnificent mystery of who I am and what I’m meant to do on this earth. 

My life’s purpose wasn’t a puzzle to be solved, it was a slope to be skied.  My body held the answer all along.  I just wasn’t aware of its wisdom.     

Three days on the slopes and my heart is so full.  The quality of the experience was so different than how I experience daily life and I’ve been wondering: how do I get more of it?  How do I bring that quality of presence back down from the top of the mountain?  How do I reveal more of the wisdom that my body is storing?    

I’ll be living into these questions over the next few weeks and months.  I hope you’ll join me.

Remember, anything or anyone who doesn’t light you up is too small for you, Sarah-Nell