I grew up in the foothills of North Carolina, and learned to snow ski when I was in 7th grade. Appalachian Ski Mnt looked far more scary that first day. After the obligatory ski school experience we headed up the hill, and then held on to whatever we could find on the side of the intermediate slope to make it safely down.
Fast forward 8 years later. I have finished college at Mars Hill College in the NC mountains, finishing in December of 82 (there was no December graduation then, so I didn’t walk with a degree until May of 83).
Along with several college buddies I get a job working in the ski rental shop of Wolf Laurel ski area. The best part of the job wasn’t the pay.
It was getting to ski 2 hours each day for free. I improved…a lot.
One day I knew my skills had gotten to a whole other level when one of the instructors said something to me I’ll never forget.
Well, before I tell you what he said, I should give you some background.
This guy was, at that time, the best skier I had ever personally seen. He wasn’t very tall, but he skied on some of the longest skis I had ever seen (210 cms I think).
He could fly down the hill, carving turns, taking moguls as if they were nothing, launch in to a 360 degree spin, and never seem to catch an edge or look out of control. Ever.
I don’t think I ever saw him fall that year.
He was easily the best in the ski area, having grown up somewhere in the Rockies (and probably bemoaning the fact he was having to ski at so small a resort).
The Word
So one morning after the rush of the start of the day had passed, I was out on the slopes. The snow was good. The temperature cold, but bright and sunny.
I went to the top of the hill, adjusted my goggles, and headed down. I remember that run to this day as if the experience was indelibly printed in to my memory.
I can remember the speed, the sound of my breath (behind a bandana pulled up over my nose and under my goggles it is easy to hear yourself breath).
I remember the carve of the turns, the sound of the snow, and the slapping of my skis. It is like I can feel the experience even now.
As I came to the bottom, I finished up with a long sweeping turning stop. It was awesome. I felt great.
And as I pulled down my bandana and caught my breath, there he was. I had been watched down the entire slope.
He looked over and said, “Man, Thad, you can really ski great”. As far as I recall, he never addressed me directly for any other thing (though he knew my name).
I was blown away by the encouraging word.
Follow Through
Words are easy to use and throw away. We all do too much of that. Words spoken in anger can wound. Words spoken quickly can cause problems.
But a word of encouragement can lift someone up in ways we don’t always know or even need to understand.
Since that day I have shared this story many times. I remember the sense of accomplishment that one sentence made me feel. And I have always wanted to be known as someone who encourages. I don’t always do it as well as I am capable. But I know deep in my inner being that it is something that should happen. I am a better man when I encourage others.
Who do you need to encourage today? Who is it that you can lift up simply by being an encourager.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
A good read, Thad. What city are you from in the Piedmont? I’m from Hickory…good to know a home town fella.
Jacob Yount recently posted..Logic & Common Sense in China Manufacturing
Small world. I grew up in Hickory and consider it my home town. Where did you go to high school?
Hickory High School! Graduate in ’97, then went to Appstate. Lived in the Viewmont area…. you?
Jacob Yount recently posted..Expectations: Importing from China
HHS 79. Lakeland Park. Very small world. What took you to China? We lived in Taipei for 15 years or so.
Wow, really small world. Are you still in NC? I had taken a job with a small company in China, after graduating Appstate. Worked there for close to 2yrs, then wife and I started our own business.
What years were you in Taipei? Glad to have met you, Thad.
Jacob Yount recently posted..4 Things to Ask Your Chinese Supplier
Nice inspirational story! I would like to share this post to my all friends also. Thanks for sharing with us.
I love how you say that you are a better man when you encourage others!
Sometimes we forget the power our words have. They can change the entire course of your life. Hearing the “right” word during a time of discouragement can mean the difference between persevering and giving up.
Roshawn @ Watson Inc recently posted..When Lattes Are NOT Your Problem
Great story! Encouragement really goes a long way in helping someone succeed.
Awesome post as always Thad.
You are so right. We throw around words far to often without really assessing their meaning and impact. We could all use to talk less and choose our words more carefully.
I have been the recipient of encouraging words and I can vouch for the power they have. I think I might have given up numerous times in the past if it wasn’t for the encouragement from someone else.
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Thanks for sharing your comments. We simply don’t know the power our words can have, for good and bad, in a person’s life. Better to err on the side of over encouragement than to fail to build someone up.