Earlier this week I was skiing with some students, and while riding up the chairlifts, we took turns talking about our proudest accomplishment in life.  Skiing with students is the best, because it provides all the environment and vibes a youth worker could hope for.  A long car ride is a time to listen to their music without judgement, and hear about what’s going on in sports and school.  Packed chairlifts allow for jokes about each others’ gear and skill levels, and smaller chairlifts allow for some more thought-provoking, challenging and encouraging discussions.  Skiing hard promotes team work, trust and leadership, and having to ski slower for one or two promotes patience, kindness, and humility.  Everyone has their own style, and everyone’s doing their best.  As the leader of the group, it always makes me feel a strong sense of safety and protection for everyone involved, and I feel honored that parents entrust me with the safety of their high school students.  Most times, everyone can learn something from everyone, whether they want to or not.  It’s kind of a metaphor for life, if you want to try to get deep and/or cheesy with it.

I believe we’re all led by the same leader, and that he feels a strong sense of safety and protection for us.