He wears the mountain like a long, heavy overcoat
But, on the contrary, it does not weigh him down
Instead, he carries the mountain on his shoulders
It is a part of him.
He is in his element. It is his environment.
He wears it well.
It empowers him and puts him at ease.
He shares his mountain with you,
introducing its vastness and intensity.
He leads you on his mountain,
mindful of every familiar twist and turn.
He prepares you, analyzing your skill, ready to teach, to show you,
his way, the way he knows.
You gather yourself, assemble your tools, your thoughts,
ready to ignore your fears, and receive his focus, his plan.
He assesses your ability, your aptitude for learning.
He senses resistance and with respect, recommends revision.
He will not accept no, nervousness, or negative chatter.
He motivates, with a masterful manner, influencing you to take control,
to traverse, to travel, to try.
He pushes you on, at his pace, ensuring you don’t linger, don’t overthink your tracks.
He lives in the moment. The moment is all that matters. You matter.
He shares his mountain with you.
Encourages greatness from you,
Inspires greatness of you.
He is in his element. This is his environment. He wears it well.
It empowers you and you are now at ease.
~ Jane Ravens lives in Las Vegas, Nev., and said she was fortunate to have recently skied at Squaw Valley this spring. Ravens wrote in an email to Moonshine Ink: ‘I am warmly grateful to a new friend and brilliant ski instructor who shared his time with me on the slopes near Truckee. ‘Michael’ featured the best of his coaching skills for me. I am forever in his debt for revamping my downhill style, technique, and equipment, and for ensuring my safety on the mountains at Squaw Valley. Michael has revived the enjoyment I have for this gracious winter sport.’
