My life changed when I was about 12. I’ll never forget learning to ride a skateboard. I never stopped and it shaped my life. All aspects of it. It is only now, do I realize its vast and super positive influence on me. In many ways it set me free.
Skateboarding was an avenue for me to be creative with my lifestyle. I think back about music, where I’ve lived, my attitude, relationships, and even why I came to the mountains. Skateboarding.
Skateboarding was the basis for me to pick up a snowboard and head to the mountains, which in return lead to climbing them on rock and snow. In a way, snowboarding for me is simply an extension of skateboarding. Climbing is simply an extension of snowboarding, by being in the mountains. For me they are all connected. That is awesome.
I’ve always had a way of evading authority and the norm. A gift of the 80′s and early ’90′s skateboarding lifestyle. Everyday I go to work and see people that clearly can’t see outside the box. I go to the coffee shop and see people confined by the norm. They simply can’t see out.
I am now at a point in my life, where I can see outside the box on so many levels. Rules don’t apply. We make our own. We decide what is right and wrong for us. We don’t have to play by the confines our our society at any time during our lives. Our jobs, marriages, raising kids, and how we live can all take unique and beautiful paths.
Thank you skateboarding.
Well said and actually mirrors much of my experiences with skating and my introduction into the mountains…through skateboarding, to snowboarding and soon enough to climbing to reach the higher mountains outside of the ski area that were clearly calling me to snowboard them.
You are so correct with us, not just those who have already done so but especially for those who have not ventured there yet, being able to make our own rules, can do what is right for us – what we feel inside. I have demonstrated courage in following my own path, which was far from the norm, but I still struggle with listening to my heart/voice/inner self/sixth sense. I know the answers are inside and hear/feel them but often abandon them to to second guessing, over thought, fear etc. I want people to know that the struggle to follow ones heart is challenging but oh so rewarding. Build on the small successes you have had with trusting ones heart. I gain strength and courage to continue to listen to myself by looking back at the success I have had following my heart.
May we all be happy, peaceful and healthy.
Thanks for your wonderful Manifesto!
Stephen, I’m not sure if you remember or not, but we taught an avalanche class together about 10 years ago with the UAC in Salt Lake. Hope all is well and glad that you relate.