What do you want your legacy to be? Story.

Triple_Strum

Triple_Strum

Active member
Hey NS. Time for another NSG post. This time it is pretty good, and hopefully thought-provoking. I won't go on a long time, so definitely read it. Recently I have been challenged a lot on my concept of giving. What does it mean to really give and where is the line? Should I sell all my stuff and give the money to the poor, should I live as a missionary my whole life (which I have to some extent for a couple of years)? The black and white answer to those questions is yes. Of course, without question, the money I spend to ski or eat out would be far better put to use by someone who has needs rather than wants. But what if I am too selfish to take it that far (yeah, that is human 101 - pride and selfishness). But one thing I have realized is that giving is giving is most valuable when it costs something. A lot of you on here frown upon Jesus and Christianity. That is your choice. But, bear with me for the example. During Jesus time being a religious success meant doing all the things you were supposed to, but with even more human zeal than others. So, when the religious guys of the day were putting in more than they "needed" to in the offering, they thought they were awesome. But, then this lady put in the equivalent of $.50 and Jesus declared it more valuable than all the money of the religious leaders. Why? It cost her. She needed that money.So back to me. I love to ski. I don't spend money on anything else. I work really hard, have a wife and a new baby girl. I don't go on vacations or out to eat and I can't remember the last clothing item I bought that cost more than $20, and the thrift gets most of my money. But skiing, skiing I spend a bit. yes, I always shop to find good deals and never buy anyhting retail. But, even a great set of last year's sticks with solid bindings is $400-$500.So this year an awesome guy hooked me up with some limited edition Prophet 100s, one of my all-time favorite skis. I couldn't have been more stoked. I couldn't wait to mount those puppies and use them on my limited ski days this year. It was only a few days after receiving the skis that someone I know had a small work disaster happen to him and had $2000 stolen, and he was already in a tough spot. Again here if you aren't Christian bear with me. When I heard this I knew in my spirit that I wanted to help him with some money. Well, I don't have any. My little girl was in the hospital for two weeks and the budget is already tight. I have nothing to give him. I felt like God was saying to me "which do you love more: the skis or your friend?" Of course the answer is my friend, but do my actions back what I feel? So I thought to myself, I could ski on these sick sticks this season, or I could sell them and buy a cheap set up and give him a couple hundred bucks. Well, the skis are gone, to some lucky guy on Ebay. So obviously I am no hero. I could not ski at all this year and give him every penny of it. But, it was a baby step in the right direction, and my heart feels so good that I won't notice having an average pair of skis from a couple of years ago.
The purpose of telling the story was not to make anyone feel bad or make myself look good. The goal is to maybe put a little thought in your head: what do you want your skiing legacy to be? I am not saying you have to sell your stuff. But, do you want to look back in 10 years and know you had the sickest stuff, or could you look back and see someone you helped, no matter how small? Maybe that overlap in your pow quiver could help someone in need. I dunno. I feel like with all the crappy stories out there that a good one thrown in for good measure tips the scales back in the right direction.
 
you're a good man. the world would be a much better place if people were even half as good to others are you are. and i know its genuine, ive dealt with you before. YESSS, THATS RIGHT. THE JACKET IN MY PROFILE PIC I BOUGHT OFF HIM!! i feel that was deserved of a capslock, ha. hope things are well with the family. im not a religious man myself, but ive always tried to abide by the seven holy virtues and steer clear of the deadly sins. sloth has been creeping up on me lately, but its something im working on. if people could even just start there, and try to live their lives by positive ideals, actively trying to avoid negativity, im sure there would be a collective sigh of relief and people would be a little happier. and you're right, all it takes is baby steps, and that makes all the difference. im certainly no saint, but i try to put a smile on other peoples' faces, even if it only means casual politeness like holding the door open for them, or letting someone pass in front of me in line if they're in a hurry. seeing other people smile makes me smile, and im a thorough believer that good things come around. i feel like i can sleep well at night knowing i had a positive influence on someone's life, even if only for a brief moment

take care of yourself, big homie, and extra care of that baby girl. im sure she's absolutely beautiful and is going to be really happy knowing she's got such a caring father
 
thats great man that you did that to help out your friend. Good luck with the baby girl in the hospital. hope she is okay
 
i think you did the right thing. not laying down one's life, but still giving up something you love for a friend. good man in my books
 
lolwutthefuckisthisthreaditmakesnosensetomeatallmaybethatsbecauseididntreaditatall.

anddoestypingwithoutspacesmakeitlooklikeiamwhispering?
 
Wonderful thread. It really did get me thinking about what things I want to do in skiing, but in a much bigger picture, how I could change my actions in everyday life to do things like you did for your friend.
 
Wow, that's pretty awesome of you man. I hope your baby girl gets well and I hope you have some luck come your way, you deserve it.
 
first things first. good thread, good move, and i'm glad to hear about it. i try to give as much as i reasonably can to those who aren't as ridiculously lucky as i am.

but you need to drop shit like what i quoted ASAP. the notion that only a christian could understand why someone would be motivated to give to someone less fortunate, and that a non-christian might have a hard time understanding that is offensive, myopic, and illogical

i really hate to be a downer in a positive thread but you need to drop that before you say something like that in real life, and someone is really (justifiably) pissed off by it
 
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Hey man, I think you may have misunderstood why I said that. That was to a preface of talking about feeling in my spirit, i.e., the Holy Spirit speaking to me. That, I don't expect someone who is a non-Christian to perhaps be a little confused or annoyed by. I was far from saying that non-Christians dont give to "someone less fortunate". Both my mom and my father-in-law are not Christian but are both very generous. Not to cause a stir, but I think you read into that how you wanted.
 
alright well i'm sorry, it's just the placement of those parts seemed to imply what i said. my b, good thread proceed
 
big ups man. these stories always inspire me to try and improve myself and do better to my fellow man.
i don't know if i could have done what you did, but i'll work to get there
bless
 
Yeah, I don't think you have to be religious to be a nice, giving, grateful person. Clearly you are, and in my mind just happen to be religious as well.

I don't consider your choices religious, because I don't practice any religion, but instead moral. You did the moral thing that situation, and I commend you for it.

Good luck to you, your friend, and most importantly your baby girl.
 
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