In snow sports, bunny slopes are for those that are learning how to ski or snowboard. Typically the hill is gradual, the help is abundant, and the space is easy to navigate. Black diamonds are the complete opposite. The hill is steep, the help is nowhere to be found, and you might have to navigate around trees, cliffs, and boulders. For most people, it's easy to know where you should start if you are just learning how to ski or snowboard. Physical danger is real in this situation and we can imagine all of the painful worst case scenarios.

Our mind can be an easily tricked driver and sometimes our culture and peer pressure makes us believe we should take on a Black Diamond experience when in reality, a Bunny Slope is the best for us. Heck, our mind also tricks us into making "mountains out of molehills" or Black Diamonds out of Bunny Slopes.

My daughter is 9 and she is trying to start a glass recycling business here in our neighborhood. One of our first steps is making a flier and passing it out to neighbors. While I saw this as a Bunny Slope activity, she believed it to be a Double Black Diamond experience and was terrified. After gently figuring out why she had tears in her eyes and physically balled up in her chair she said, "It's going to take a long time to pass out a flier to everyone in our little city!!!" We have 3000 residents in our town and her brain immediately took this next experience to the Black Diamond slope. I needed to make this a Bunny Slope for her quickly.

After some discussion, we came to a conclusion that felt much easier to her and was a step in the direction she desired, growing her little business at her pace.

Part of being empathetic with yourself and others is recognizing the differences in perspectives. Even if I see a Bunny Slope, we must recognize, appreciate, and support the Black Diamond that others see.

Starting on the Bunny Slopes is smart, courageous, and kind to your ability to grow and share.

Happy Friday!

With energy,

Shelton