It's bruised shins, and scraped elbows. Sweat soaked teeshirts. Jammed fingers. The frustrations of battling with a trick. The joy of landing it. The mental pep-talks. There's something supernatural about skating. Something destructive; but peaceful. Something explosive; but beautiful. The fusion of art and sport and personal adventure and expression. It's one of the most unique experiences of it's kind!! And as time goes on, and new skaters push the limits of what's "possible;" this sport continues to progress and grow into something unimaginable years ago.
The mentality of skating is one that can be applied to all of life's "obstacles."
Thru fashion, music, art, slang.. skating has influences tons of culture since the 80's. It's recent success (skateboarding) has surpassed the heights of any other alternative sport. All the while, sports like rollerblading (bmx, snowboarding, etc) are still remaining true to their unique underground spirit. It's never been about the fame and money with these sports.. because they're not sports.
This is a lifestyle!
It's something you don't stop thinking about. Something you don't stop seeing. Every where you go, you see a spot. It's how you see the World. And that's where the phrase Life Is A Skatepark came from. The mindstate of totally taking on the world, head first, and throwing your best at it. Staying strong. Putting out positive energy and having fun with whatever get's thrown back. That's a powerful vibe to put off.
IF THIS DOESN'T INSPIRE YOU; I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL!! This is a perfect example of what the SkateLife is all about! Having fun! Being strong! Overcoming your challenges! WARNING: watching these videos will make you want to STAND UP and Do Something Amazing! LIFE IS A SKATEPARK; so wake up & start grinding!!!
Some people talk about their struggles as hills they need to climb. I prefer to think of mine as ramps! If you ride thru life, like a skater coasts thru a skatepark; you'll have a lot more fun and you'll always have a smile on your face!! The beauty of Life is the freedom we have to make whatever we wish out of her obstacles and opportunities. Like a blank canvas, it is ours to design and alter and construct. The mind of a skater sees these objects in their everyday life; and brainstorms the hundreds of ways they could shred. Somebody might see a stair-set, and not think much other than how annoying it is to climb. But a skater sees the same stairset for much more than what it is. It's no longer just a basic means of helping people ascend small inclines. Now it's a gap. It's an enemy. It's art. And it's THAT mindstate; the ability to envision (otherwise) ordinary objects you encounter, and make them something greater than ever imagined. If you can apply that mindstate, to Life; then you'll begin opening your eyes to all the potential opportunities that are right in front of your eyes!! You'll float thru dangerous situations, comfortably; and control whatever adversity you come across!
An ocean, isn't just an ocean. A mountain, isn't just a mountain. An empty pool, isn't just an empty pool. THAT'S the mindstate you need! It's like learning a new language. Once you start forming words; everywhere you look, you see sentences you can piece together. Life is FULL of skatespots, when you know what you're looking for!! And once you get comfortable skating; you'll coast right over literal rough patches that would trip the average person.
It's about grace. It's about style. It's about personal freedom. It's about endurance and persistence. It's about the physical challenge. Goal-setting. Anybody whose ever skated for more than a few months can tell you; it stays with you for life. Even those who only skated as a kid. It changes you. The way you see things. The way you think of pain and falling. The itch to skate. If you ever REALLY skated; it's with you for life.
Moral of the story? Push yourself to the limits you define. Nothing is impossible! Every time you see something in your way; stop thinking of it as a hindrance and try to find a creative way to USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! Life is all about falling down and getting back up to try again. Don't let a few cuts and bruises stop you from doing something awesome!! Have fun, be smart, stay safe; and SKATE HARD!!
