5 Ways to Live in the Moment

Photo Credit Victor Rodriguez on Unsplash

It can be an incredible thing to do to actually be mindful in any particular moment. Oftentimes, routine gets the better of us, or we find ourselves snapping countless photos of something rather than actually taking it in. Through my experiences with mountain biking, I’ve decided to list a handful of simple ways in which we can prompt ourselves to really feel alive in everyday situations, to admire and take in the moments that mean the most to us in life.

1. Bicycle maintenance
   The last thing you want when you’re facing a solid hour uphill pedal is a rusted chain or a tire that’s low on air. Like maintaining your bike, maintain your life by forming good habits and practicing well-being regularly. I devote a few days every year to picking out built up grease from my chain with dental tools; to lubricating everything, making sure my suspension and brakes are tuned. Similarly, we should pick out a few moments of every day to tune ourselves. Consistent work is needed make sure to maintain our ideal selves by clearing up clutter, practicing good habits, avoiding toxic relationships or negative people. How can you sit down and enjoy a mindful moment to yourself if you’re surrounded by clutter or negativity?
2. Focus and balance
   It may be the hardest part — maintaining my focus as I’m going around rocks or crevices, especially on a steep stretch of downhill trail. I’ve made a few mistakes that resulted in some injuries simply because my focus had been absent. Whether you’re walking through a park, writing an exam, preparing for an interview, or even on vacation, if you want to live in the moment, it’s important to maintain focus and not let distracting thoughts plague your mind or draw focus away from something you’ve devoted your engagement towards.
3. Keep pedaling
   Every now and then I’m doing a trail and I’m put into a situation where I can’t stop pedaling but everything inside of me is urging me to do otherwise; whether it’s swaths of deerflies that swarm the second I stop moving, an impending thunderstorm or a broken collarbone (in one instance), we’re placed in situations where we have to keep going. It is, believe it not, possible to still find a moment of peace in…