Replying to Everyday is a Gift

i get this magazine Urban Climber for free, and i never really read anything in it because it's not something i do.  I got an issue today, however, and i decided to read the first little message/opening thing from the editor or whoever.  It caught my interest and I read the entire thing, only to come across a pretty powerful statement that really stopped me for a second.

Now while this article may have been about climbing, it realtes to anything you do.  The quote went as follows:

"You decide to step back outside and take a moment to look around, something you can't remember doing ever.  It's the moment that's always forgotten, the final puase of the day.  You take that mental snapshot and feel like the luckiest person on this earth because, today, all of this was yours : the rocks, the trees, the quiet, the frisky wind, the light blanket of soft white, the clean smell of the mountain- all of this, and there's a single set of footprints that proves today was truly for you.  A gift."

This had a profound effect on me, because not only as a skier, but just a human being, I often forget to just stop and take in the little things.  Even though I've heard everyone say some version of slowing down and not taking life for granted, this particular paragraph caught me.  Whether I'm mountain biking, surfing, or skiing, I never really sit down after a session and just think about everything that was put on earth and came together to allow me to have just a little time for my own personal enjoyment.

So while Thanksgiving may have already passed, I hope we can all find some time at least once this season to look back up the hill at then end of the day and give thanks.  Because after all, today is nature's gift to you - It's called The Present.