Given the chance to buy an ideal life on eBay, many people would probably choose the one containing money & success. Yet, as studies have revealed, these two factors have little effect on true happiness and satisfaction in life.
So, what really matters at the end? In one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies ever done, researchers of the Harvard Grant Study followed 724 men for over 75 years and have found the secret… Continue Reading…
If you ride loose and relaxed, then your bike will be loose and relaxed—this is what the bike wants to do and what it was built for. Much like riding a bike, you will experience more flow in life if you relax and allow yourself to instinctively absorb obstacles and situations as they appear, without forcing it.
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If you’re feeling particularly fragile today, you might not want to read on. It’s okay, I’m not offended. You know why? Because I could care less what you think of me, my ideas, opinions and lifestyle… It’s not about you. Get over yourself.
An unbelievable chunk of our life is spent striving for acceptance. No matter who we are, where in life we are, we want to be accepted by others. If we’re not getting acceptance, we feel rejected. The problem is that this prevents us from doing the things we want to do, and it shuts down who we truly are. What if you decided to say f*** that. What if you cancelled your subscription to playing for the audience and decided that you were going to be 100% yourself for a change? Continue Reading…
Online dating is so superficial, isn’t it?! With endless matches ripe for the swiping, you’d think finding the one would be a walk in the park. Yet, after yet another tragic date and a referral to the physiotherapist for your inflamed Tinder finger, you’re still single.
So, how can you go about finding a real connection in this digital age? Well, I’m not exactly sure, as I’ve just been yanked out of the hurt locker by friends to scope out the dating scene, and it looks pretty grim. Continue Reading…
Venturing into the woods, I lose sight of civilization and settle into the peaceful sounds of nature. I am in charge of my ride plan, my rhythm and my pace.
I absolutely love riding my bike alone (well, usually with my sidekick Kula!). When on a solo ride, I notice my stress decrease and I shift into a peaceful state of consciousness. When you’re silent you begin to see your thoughts for what they really are—just thoughts. I can ponder life’s meaning, connect with the sensations in my body, and be in total flow with the trail. Continue Reading…
Deciding to ride the trail means you’re going to face many obstacles, and no matter how much you avert your gaze from the steep rock slab and slippery roots, they’re always there. Similarly, you can go through life trying to drown your pain in addictions, but it’s always there—floating around deep inside.
As in every path, you can only get to your destination by moving forward, one obstacle at a time. The fear of failure and facing the unknown stops many people from progressing, but your inner terrain must be traversed in the journey to recovery.
I sat on the floor gazing out the window as a tear rolled down my cheek. Suddenly Kula perked up from her plushy pillow and wiggled across the hardwood to give me a slurpy lick; and then two, three, four, until I couldn’t help but smile.
I’m not sure how I got so lucky to have been graced by the presence of this extraordinary dog, but I’m grateful every day. Kula is two-and-a-half-years-old now, a red fox lab with an insatiable passion for mountain biking—kinda like me. Maybe it’s cliche, but my dog truly is my best friend. She’s my riding sidekick, snuggle buddy, sous chef, and she’s always there for me. I believe we can learn a lot from dogs, they teach us about gratitude, love, friendship, compassion, presence and joy. Continue Reading…