I write this one to you from Aspen, Colorado, where I am celebrating life and the New Year. I started snowboarding when I was about 14. Up until then, I was skiing since I was very young, but made the transition when the sport was still quite new. I remember being looked down upon on the mountains. It was like a mountain racism towards this new sport that the old-school did not quite approve of or understand. Since then, we have seen it become very much an equal and it is even an event in the Olympics.
For me, there are so many life learning metaphors that go along with this sport:
1. When you are going down the mountain look ahead to where you are going, but then enjoy the ride. 2. Look around and feel the greatness around you.
3. If you think that you will slip or if you start questioning yourself, you will most likely fall flat on your face–snowboarding is so much a mind game, much like the lives we live.
The greatest lesson I ever learned happened only 2 years ago on New Year’s day. I started the day very conscious of the beauty around me and with huge admiration for the world. Then I headed up the mountain. I found out that past the highest chair lift, there was a trail that you could hike up to reach an even higher state. It was about an hour of treacherous climbing conditions and no places to rest because the trail was very narrow. When I arrived to the top, there was a group of people all bummed out because the ropes were up due to avalanche conditions on the back side of the mountain, so everyone had to take a different way down. It wasn’t the worst thing, but it wasn’t what we set out to accomplish. I stayed up there for a while with my friend, took some pictures and just enjoyed where I was–we were after all on top of the world. After a while, we decided to begin our ride down once everyone else had finally gone. At this moment a ski patroller for the mountain lifted the ropes and announced the top was now open. So with great excitement, we walked up the final few hundred yards to the very top and went down for the greatest ride of my life. This experience hit me so hard because I realized then, that we are all floating out there in the world. Some call it luck, chance, chaos–but really it is just life.
You can’t just sit at home and eat a turkey sandwich and say I hope I get lucky today. You can’t just pray and wish that something will happen. For me to even get to that point up top, I had to learn to snowboard, get my ass to Colorado, climb up the mountain, and still it came down to something beyond my control. The world wants us to win. It wants us to get what we want and it wants us to be happy. We just have to show our intentions to it. Wake up and say, “this is what I want” and be thankful. It is a powerful thing.
This is no secret–it has been written about over and over again. This was just my personal experience that showed me there is more than just logic to life. There is science and there is spirit!
Be a spirit today!
If you like this, check these life afirming books out:
1. The Alchemist
2. Shantaram
3. Siddartha
My favorite Aspen pop culture moments:
1. Dumb and Dumber
2. The X Games
3. The New Year’s bomber (Dec 31, 2008)
4. Charlie Sheen gets arrested (3 days ago)
5. Jane’s Addiction small New Years show at the Belly Up (3 days from now)
Twitter Updates
Another great blog. I will definitely check out the books you mentioned, as I’m always looking for a good read.
Comment by Stephanie ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 04:12 am
awesome photo of you snowboarding. the alchemist is a great read. another great blog!!
Comment by thisrocks ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 06:12 am
Shantaram, what a story. Thanks ryan. I hope these blogs never stop!
Comment by james ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 06:12 am
I took Life Coaching classes this past year – and really got a chance to reconnect with myself. I had a hard time following my husbands death – I had to find a way to discover who I was as a single person. I’ve never been so happy and content with myself as I have been this past year. Not only doI have a deeper understanding of myself – I’ve come to realize what is important to me – and I chose to only live life according to my on personal values disregarding what others think is appropriate for me. To live life completly for yourself might sound selfish at first – but it is only when you live and LOVE yourself – that you can truly love others.
I love those SERENDIPITOUS moments {one of my new favorite words this year} like yours on the mountain. These fortunate accidents that makes you a firm believer in FATE and there is some sort of plan in life. It is these happy circumstances that make life for of adventure and fun.
You captured the essence of living life in the moment with 11:59 – and I for one can not wait to hear the entire work finally in this new year. After all – there is no day but today.
Enjoy the rest of your time up on the mountain Ryan! This middle-aged bohemian hermit has certainly learned a lot from watching you “grow” these past few years – and I deeply appreciate it!
Comment by Willo Keays ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 06:12 am
geez – I really need to edit before I hit submit … sorry!
Comment by Willo Keays ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 06:12 am
Yet another great blog Ryan!!!!!!
Comment by Karen ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Love reading this Ryan. I have never been snowboarding but you make is sound so exciting. I may give it a try someday.Love that you put Charlie Sheens arrest in you faves from aspen. Just do me a favor and don’t ever act like him. Thanks again
Comment by Emily ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
The Alchemist! That is one meaningful book, I didn’t understand it at first, so I kinda stopped, and then read it again, and it was like… voila! Aha, but honestly the thing that’s helped me the most was The Secret. The movie, not the book. The book wasn’t visual enough. But nevertheless, the message’s the same; and it’s helped me become so much more happy with life. :]
Comment by Nurul ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Do you mean “The alchemist” by Paulo Coelho? He is a brazilian writer, brazilian like me.
Enjoy your ride!
Comment by solange ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Wow. I feel like sliding down with you on the mountain, in the best imaginable way!
But I also have to say that sometimes people do want to go beyond to reach the point they set for themselves, but they don’t have the resources to it. Sometimes when you only have motivation to move you forward, you can only get one step closer to your goal. But to think it positively, you do get closer =) I just think about many unfortunate people with great dreams out there when writing this. But all in all, Ryan, I think you’re my new hero now!
Comment by Dee ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Great blog Ryan! You Shredder!!
I’ve been a skier since a child also.
So many life lessons learned there.
“Getting there is half the fun”.
“Even if you slide a couple yards on your ars, you pick yourself up and keep going”
Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Melissa Simons ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
I think this is my favorite blog to date. I love it. And you always give me something to think about.
Comment by SarahBeth ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Awesome blog! I never thought of snowboarding like that before. I now know it means a lot to you, and I’m glad you had the chance to go do it. That second to last paragraph is very true, and I hadn’t even realized it until I just now read it.
Thank you for sharing this Ryan!♥
Comment by Alexis ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Ryan, I am not sure what else to say other than thank you. Thank you for your positivity and your outlook on life, and the way you are able with just a few words to inspire me to look at life a little differently today. Please keep blogging, I think we could all use a little dose of your uplifting spirit every day!
Comment by Jen ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Thanks Ryan…Live the Life you Love-Love the Life You Live
Comment by traceymc ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Ryan, thank you for sharing such a personal moment with us. I think this may be my favorite post yet. I am just learning some of the things you mentioned. What you said about looking forward, but remember to enjoy the ride, hits home with me. So does the part about thinking you will fall and then you do. I am learning a lot about myself right now. I absolutely love what you said about sitting at home eating a turkey sandwich and hoping you get lucky today! I have done that very thing for far too long! My trip last week to Rhode Island, Connecticut, and NYC reminded me of the person I am and the person I want to be. It was a very positive experience and one I hope to carry with me and never forget. Just like your mountain, I felt on top of the world on the Empire State Building. Also, something powerful happened on that trip where I believed good things would happen and they did. I never gave up and made things happen. The blizzard almost canceled my trip in NYC, but I found a way to get there by train. Then, my one day in NYC turned into 3 because of that very same blizzard causing travel delays. That experience, including your concert in Connecticut, has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and reminded me to never give up and not to get upset about things I cannot change and to change everything I can! I am grateful to my friend. Without her help financially that last minute birthday trip would never have occurred! It’s too bad we often miss out on doing things we love because of lack of money or time off work! I would love to be in the mountains this week after being in the city last week. This is the perfect time of year to take a vacation and begin the new year renewed. Ryan, I hope you realize what a powerful positive effect you have on people’s lives. Your music means so much to us and getting to know the great guy behind the music has been such a treat in these blogs! You are such an amazing inspirational person with such a talent for writing words and music and yet you are such a down to earth and fun guy. Thanks again for making us think! Fly down the mountain for me today! I have always wanted to try snowboarding! Also, love the picture today. Thanks!
Comment by Lia (ryanstarfan) ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am
Ryan Star – philosopher, motivater, snowboarder, oh and not by chance, a great musician! Happy 2010!
Comment by Parrogordo ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 08:12 am
Very inspirational.. It makes me want to learn how to snowboard, even though I really don’t like snow.
Comment by alison ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 08:12 am
Fantastic picture!
My lesson for this year has been bad shit will happen, but you have to just pick yourself up and keep going. It’s easy to get caught up in feeling sorry for yourself and thinking everything terrible happens to you, but I believe you have to turn it into something positive, learn from it and grow.
That’s my deep thought for the day.
My favorite dumb and dumber quote (not that you asked, but it is one of my favorite movies):
Harry: I expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this.
Lloyd: I was thinking the same thing. That John Denver’s full of shit, man.
Comment by deb ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 09:12 am
Hey there – Love getting book recomendations from you, always great! Please allow me to return the favor – Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra.
. But, I can read your blog and substitute many other activities for snowboarding and the message is universal. xoxo
I am actually allergic to extreme cold. My first attempts at skiiing as a kid, I got hives in the areas that had frequent contact with the snow (my ass). Took it as a sign. I believe this is another life lesson: Recognize obstacles vs signs from the universe!
Comment by Mangomelon ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
I bought my kids their snowboards when my son was 11 and my daughter was 9. My son is good. My daughter obsessed. I remember when we couldn’t buy gear that didn’t look like a guys so she wore all black. She would get to the bottom toss off her hat and it was amazing to the guys that she was the first down. It is where she goes when she needs to think or calm down. She says it is the closest thing to flying free that you can do. Her daughter’s name is Winter Raine and her 4 yr old was already on a board last year.
Comment by shari ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
You should come hike the White Mountains with my husband, you’d love it.
I love these blogs, so inspirational, and really makes you think. Do, or do not, there is no try =)
Comment by Brooke ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
You paint such beautiful pictures with your words, Ryan! You’re so right…we MUST put “feet” on our prayers. Set your goals high and go out there and try your hardest to reach them…make it happen!! If/when you fail, learn and grow!!
I love your passion…it’s refreshing!!
Comment by Dana (pixie2214) ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 04:12 pm
Ryan, I’m so glad to hear that you are enjoying Colorado and that it is a tradition to visit my beautiful state. It was fantastic seeing you and David Cook at the Belly Up in June, one of my favorite nights of the whole year. I love hearing what experiences inspire you, please keep writing these blogs. Thanks for everything.
Comment by jackie ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 pm
great blog! so glad you got to experience that, I’m sure it was unforgettable. I snowboard but I’m not that good, I can at least make it down a smaller mountain and from what I’ve seen it is like your flying. Love the alchemist. love all the blogs, each one is truly inspirational and moving, thank you
Comment by Meg ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 08:12 pm
Great blog Ryan. I love the way you approach life. So many people float thru life, just waiting for things to come to them. You gotta put yourself out there, be alert, enjoy each moment, embrace everything that comes your way, even the glitches because they happen for a reason. You’re so right, it is no secret, it is a simple truth that many people don’t see. I don’t snowboard, but I downhill ski and love it…the activity of it, the cold & crisp air, being surrounded by nature’s beauty. Makes you feel so alive. It’s like a happy drug. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You’re an amazing person.
Comment by Kleo Evans ///// Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 @ 11:12 am