While snowshoeing or ice-fishing might be considered
the more contemplative winter sports practices,
I am prepared to make a case for snowmobiling.
On Saturday, I enjoyed a two hour run
in a generational convoy with my brother, my dad, my oldest nephew.
It is noisy.
So is the world.
Yet there is something about the snugness of a helmet
that contains future anxiety and past musing.
And there is the leaning.
I was riding with David
so first, I leaned when he leaned
trying to be helpful.
Then there is a a trinity of trail, machine and rider
and you just lean.
Such oneness I desire for all of life’s motions.
And there is the beauty.
We stop
turn off the engine, motor (whatever?)
and there is stillness.
And far from highway and human activity
there is just softly curved beauty
close up and far off
and seeing with the whole heart.
And there is the sacrament of pink peppermints
drawn from a deep pocket
and shared around.
Have I made my point?
If spiritual practice is presence, leaning into life, beauty, and sweet community
snowmobiling is it.
And it is fun, too.
This sounds like a great day with family and feeling the presence of God in a wonderful setting! Thanks for sharing!
Loved this, Janice! I am learning that following the contemplative way not only means finding time to be still and know God, but also bringing that experience into the noisiness, messiness and holiness of everyday life. It sounds like you’ve discovered another way to be – what fun! I’ve never sledded but maybe I should…thank you!!
Thanks for sharing..it is about bringing presence and awareness to whatever activity we are involved in that makes it Spiritual Practice… this sounds like a Joy filled way to do it 🙂