#382: SPOTLIGHT: Thor Kallerud
Question for Thor:
Can you recall a specific moment in the last four months that you were in what you would consider to be “nature” and thought or felt for at least a split second that “maybe all is actually right with the world” ?
Thor's Response:
Alpine skiing has been a huge part of my life and has totally defined me as a person. Skiing has given me many tremendous opportunities such as coming to this wonderful country from Norway, meeting my lovely wife Barbie and raising a family with her, AND pursuing an education. My three careers: engineering, 2x olympic head coach, 27 years in the financial industry, are all tied in one way or another to skiing.
With skiing having such a strong impact on my life, it is only natural that this is where I find my solace. For example, earlier this month I was skiing on a perfect slope, no-one was around me, I was arcing perfect turns and I had such a surreal feeling. Being in the fresh air, with the snow falling, I had a combined feeling of “being in the zone” and perfect conditions around me. For a brief moment in time, I was totally in the present and nothing else in the world mattered! It was a moment when I felt like life nearly stopped and the world around me became still. The experience was so strong that I, for a split second, thought “if I never ski again, I will be fine, I will be content and I know all is well in the world.”
Amanda’s thought…
I suspect Thor would love all direct responses from you. I find it incredibly encouraging when I hear from any of you after I share my thoughts. It is powerful for me. I assume many others have a similar experience. So here is Thor's email… pip
Thor, I haven't skied in over ten years but while reading this note I felt like I was right there with you gliding down that mountain. This experience sounded freeing and almost dream-like. It made me think of a moment I had the other day when walking the forest while it was raining and no one else was out. I came to a clearing and just watched the droplets falling peacefully to the lake. And while standing there all wet I thought, though I enjoy conversing with strangers, I do think there is a special feeling that arises when immersed in nature completely alone, taking in the beauty of a landscape before me with zero distractions. Thank you, Thor. I really loved this.
- AP
