Only hope

Winter break brought some much needed time of rest and reflection for me—as I’m sure it did for many. This fall was busy with both the NIRSA Championship Series and the many changes that were taking place at the University of Alabama. The desire to make both successful is both exhilarating and arduous. Some time away was a blessing, but when I am away for too long I miss them both dearly.

Some people love the beach, but I have always loved the mountains. Whether I am camping, hiking, or skiing, the mountains make me feel at peace. This year, I was able to ski at Cooper Mountain, Colorado on my alma mater’s ski trip. The majesty of a mountain covered in glimmering, white snow never grows old; it’s like a song inside of my soul. But, as beautiful as that song and the slopes were, it’s the people I enjoy the most. Family style meals, card games, movie nights, and a reunion of Georgia Tech campus recreation alumni are what make the trip for me. While I wish everyone could make the trip each year, it’s not always possible. However, a new person inevitably attends the trip and finds a place in the group; this is much like what happens with the Championship Series.

There are many parallels between skiing and the Series. On a great mountain, there should be a place for all skill and experience levels. A mountain that has too many black runs doesn’t provide opportunities for novices and intermediates to improve and reach that expert level. Inversely, if a mountain only had green trails, how would people be challenged to grow or get better?

I learned to ski when I was 21. I was on a trip with friends who had all been skiing for years, so I took lessons instead of skiing with them so I wouldn’t hold them back. Later in the week, though, they insisted that I ski with them down some intermediate slopes; they knew that I would not get better unless I was challenged. Sometimes I fell, but they were there to help me get back up, encourage me, or to show me the way through especially difficult parts of the trail. If the Series is working how it was envisioned, beginners are working hard to learn and get better and those with more experience are reaching back to help them just like my friends did. Before long, those beginners become the experts and carry on the tradition of helping others grow.

There is one more important lesson skiing has taught me: it is important to know when to get off the mountain. After a few hours of skiing, my body is fatigued. It is important for me to be self-aware and know whether I would be going through the motions so I can get in one last run with my friends or if I still have the muscle strength to crush the mountain.

As the new year starts, I try to take inventory on various activities in my life and examine my motives for continuing voluntary commitments. Am I still doing it for the right reasons? Do I have the energy, time, and motivation to do it well? Hopefully the answer is yes. But if the answer is no, then it’s time to make some difficult decisions, resolve to do better, or make a change.

As I look back on 2016, it was filled with much turmoil, but I am filled with only hope as I look ahead to 2017. While there is much to be pessimistic about, I choose hope. As Albert Einstein said, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.” I hope that many of you will consider applying for the many volunteer and leadership opportunities available through the NIRSA Championship Series by the January 17 deadline. (Please see last month’s blog for more details on Series’ positions.) And, most of all, I hope that in 2017 you realize your fondest dreams and take the time to recognize and enjoy your blessings.