If you can't run a 5k then ski it?

I have always put those people who go cross country skiing in the uber fit category. I don't know why. I have just always heard that it is so hard, and it is one of the best physical activities that you can do. blah blah blah...

So when my runner girlfriends suggested an outing I of course said yes without thinking the rest of it through. Oh wait, I don't cross country ski, I think I did the Jr. olympics biathlon in Jr. high? But I took them on their first 5k race, so, I guess, I should go along.

We started out at Waterton Lakes Lodge, where they rent out equipment, $15/day. I forgot my camera so these are stolen from Dixie. That's why she isn't in the picture below.

It was a beautiful day, hardly any wind, which is quite rare. We drove up to Cameron lake. We pulled up and got out and after some discussion on wardrobe and whether too layer or not too layer, I was in cross country skiing boots, and walking with skis to the trail.

It was fascinating the voices in my head where having quite the deliberation.

• What are you doing?
• We don't know how to do this!
• Your friends are going to have to wait for you because your going to be so slow?
• This is dangerous!
• You do not have the stamina to do this.
• This is going to hurt.
• Your going to be stiff in the morning.
• Your going to be cold.
• Your going to be too hot.

But I remembered a quote from John Bradshaw (Creating Love, 1992,pg. 70-71) about voices.

"As a child I was scolded any time I acted proud of myself for my accomplishments. 'Don't get a big head,' some one might say. Or I might be told, 'Watch out. Pride comes before a fall.' I was taught that true humility consists of never talking about yourself, never thinking about your own strengths, and never expressing enjoyment in your own talents.

Now, as an adult whenever I 'm in touch with my own achievements or I'm feeling good about my accomplishments, I hear these voices. Two of my books have been on the New York Times bestseller list 'Healing the Shame that Binds you' for six weeks and 'Homecoming Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child' for fifty-two weeks, twenty-three of them as number one. (A voice just told me that I'm blowing my own horn and that I shouldn't name these books.) When the books hit the bestseller list, I was bombarded with voices that told me to be humble. One told me I was just lucky. Another told me that this couldn't last.

I have worked hard to recognize these voices as foreign to my true self. I try to think of them as one might think of being possessed. I answer them and replace them with new voices, which nurture me and allow me to have confidence and to enjoy my success."

So after quieting the foreign voices, we were off. Oh so unsure of myself, so not trusting this process, thinking maybe I am a snow shoer?

The day was perfect, and while I was slow and the last one and they did have to wait for me even though no one seemed to mind, I really enjoyed myself.

Look at that scenery who couldn't enjoy that?

This is at the lake, we stopped for photo op, and a snack.

The Mountain you see at the end is actually part of the USA. You'll see some tracks on the lake itself, that wasn't us, I have been in that lake in the summer it was cold enough then, I was about to chance it.

So this is my "Profound" thought I had, as you can see in the picture above I am, concentrating pretty hard at the task at hand.

The skiing is much easier if you stay in the tracks when you get out of tracks, it is a lot harder going and you are much more likely to fall. Hence why I am concentrating so hard in staying in the tracks.

But every once in a while I would look up and see the beautiful views, and just be in the moment. But then I would slip a little or get wobbly, and back down my eyes go to the tracks and concentration.

It is the same with our lives, we get so busy, trying to hold it all together, and working so hard at staying in the tracks, that we forget to take moments to look at where we are. I believe that every once in a while, our spirit must just want to rejoice that we are here. I waited a long time to come have this experience, eons in fact, and while waiting I prepared as diligently as I could. I am sure that my spirit is delighted to be here and doing it. I am having my mortal experience, and on days like this where I get to use my physical body and be in the wonderful creations that my Heavenly Father made, with other valiant spirits, I rejoice with it.

P.S. I am actually in Phoenix this week with my husband, can't wait to tell you about it!!!