Pain & the present moment

Last week, I excitedly left work and headed out for a group mountain bike ride with some friends.

After realizing I had forgotten my helmet and gloves in my wife’s car, I quickly grabbed my backup full-face helmet and left for the trailhead.

30 minutes later I was riding down the trail — sliding on my face/chest/hands instead of my bike.

After getting ever-so-slightly off balance, I found myself flying over the handlebars in an instant.

With a gouge in my left palm and scrapes from hip to shoulder, I couldn’t be anywhere but that exact moment.

I had an injury to tend to. I had immediate danger that caused me to make quick decisions for the sake of my health.

I wasn’t thinking about next week, last week, or what goals I had in life. I just wanted to remove the pine needles and gravel that were now tattooed in the hole of my palm.

Did I need stitches? Was my head okay? Would it get infected? Did I break any bones without realizing it? Why do the hobbies I enjoy have to be so dangerous? Maybe that’s the whole point? Should get into golf or knitting instead?

4 hours, 8 stitches, and a still unknown amount of medical bills later — I walked out of the hospital with an empty stomach and a full heart.

Injuries have always had a funny way of bringing me back to reality. Of reminding me of my mortality, my excitement for extreme sports, and often times, my stupidity.

And although they’re painful in the moment and even more painful in the boring agony of rest and recovery – they do have a way of teaching many lessons.

“BooBoo”

After breaking the news to my parents the following day, I was reminded of the origination of my lifelong nickname of “BooBoo.”

Since I could walk, I’ve always chased danger.

The coolest skateboard tricks.

The biggest bike jumps.

The best snowboard rails.

The fastest longboard roads.

All of which have covered me with scars, bumps, bruises, and broken bones. Yet I come back to these things time and time again because they remind me of something simple, yet extremely important.

The present moment. The here and now.

When you’re cruising at 30mph on a longboard, flowing a gnarly mountain bike trail, or slashing knee deep powder on a snowboard — you have no choice but to be present.

A split second of distraction can lead to disaster.

With all of these sports you’re required to leave your worries at the trailhead.

Without the danger of these sports, the need to be immediately focused wouldn’t be necessary. And without the need to be intensely focused, there’d be no need to be invested in the present moment.

So I guess that’s why I’ll always be okay with yet another boo-boo.

Because sometimes enjoying the present moment is more important than a couple weeks of couch recovery.

P.S. I’ve been enjoying the slower pace of summer while taking a break from weekly sharing on here and on my YouTube channel. Sometimes you have to get off track to find the path you’re supposed to be on. Hope your spring/summer have been wonderful!

Peace & blessings!

Eric