Common Cents # 42 - Green, Blue & Black

 

Green, Blue, & Black

 

In downhill skiing, the ski runs are color-coded according to level of difficulty. Green is easiest, blue is intermediate, and black is most difficult. Some places have double-blacks for experts only. When we get off of the lift at the top of the mountain, there are often three trails available: green, blue, and black. Sometimes the green slope sign will include the phrase “Easiest route down.”

So, why would anyone not take the green trail? Because, unless it is a race, getting down the hill fast and easy is not the objective. The blue and black trails will be more challenging, and for most skiers, more fun.

When we punch in a destination into a GPS app, it gives us the fastest and usually, the safest route. In other words, GPS recommends the green route. I like to think of the green routes as the Interstates, the blues as two-lane highways, and the blacks as country roads that may not even be well-marked on GPS. If we just want to get there, the green Interstate route may be the way to go. If we want to see the scenery and have more fun, we may want to avoid the green trails. We will want to drive what author, William Least Heat Moon called “Blue Highways.”

This analogy is true in other areas of life as well. If our financial goal is to make as much money as we can, as quickly as possible, we will make decisions accordingly. If that is our goal, we might choose a college major that offers the highest starting salary and take the route that looks like it will offer the fastest career advancements.

If we want to live a full healthy life, build long-term relationships, or see lots of interesting things we will want to get off of the fastest route and explore the more difficult trails. We will avoid the Interstates and four-lane highways of life and check out the country roads where life is happening. Skiers who ski the “Black” ski trails and slopes see more amazing things and have more stories to tell than the skiers who never get off of the “Greens.”

If someone wants to start a business, become a professional athlete, or go to Hollywood to become a movie actor, those can be the double-black slopes, the highest risk with the possibility of amazing results. Expert skiers know that they are more likely to get hurt on the black trails, but they are willing to take the risk, because they have prepared for it and the rewards are worth it.

To some degree, whether we want to shoot for the “Blacks” or are content to ski the “Green” hills, is a personality trait. In ski country, the easiest green slopes are called the “Bunny Slopes.” The term is used intentionally to get beginners to want to gain skill as quickly as possible, so they won’t have to tell their friends that they never got off of these easiest runs.

Some people are content to live life on the bunny slopes, but others want to take a harder route, have a bigger goal, or see the larger picture. Don’t get stuck on the “Bunny Hills” of life.  If you are struggling in various areas of life, that may just mean that you have turned on to a new path and are now skiing the “Blue” trails. Take more lessons from instructors if needed to gain skill and confidence, enjoy the ride and hang on. You will be headed for the “Blacks” before you know it!