Live in the Moment | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Live in the Moment

The people make the moments

14
Live in the Moment

My dad used to tell my family and me during our family vacations to "enjoy it now because it doesn't last". I don't think I ever understood that there was wise truth in those words and he wasn't just saying it a million times a day to be annoying.

And when I came here to Spain, the phrase, "live in the moment" became my travel motto. However, despite the truth in the words of these two phrases, they consist of a tint of sadness that, to me, takes away from the moment.

To live in the moment is much easier said than done when you know "it won't last" as my dad always says. No matter what you do, you can't win a race against time. Trying to live in the moment sometimes feels like walking down a dead-end street: no matter how slowly you walk to enjoy the path, every step you take gets you closer to the end.

This had been playing loudly in my mind for the past few days. But this weekend, my friends and I traveled to northern Spain to two incredible cities: Santander and Bilbao; one city was hidden in the center of mountain valleys and surrounded by these amazing snow-capped peaks and rolling hills and the other was a beautiful beach town by the bay with the most majestic cliffs overlooking the turquoise ocean.

There were so many moments during this trip where I realized I was truly happy--not bittersweet, trying to enjoy the moment while being haunted by worries of the future, but truly existing in the moment without pressuring myself to "enjoy it while it lasts".

I also realized that it is the people that make traveling worth it. While I agree that the idea of traveling alone is a beautiful concept and it is something I will have to do before I leave Europe because I know it will be a great way to have my own time, think a lot, and reflect on my life here and back in the US, I don't feel the need to do it anytime soon. For me, travel is nothing without the right people. All of these moments during the trip are things I could re-do alone and revisit when my friends leave Spain, but they would be worlds different.


It also makes for moments to smile back on--moments that you look back on, re-imagine them in your mind, and laugh out loud--moments like us sitting in the parking lot devouring Chinese food, cracking open a six pack on the street and strolling onto the ferry with them in hand, sprinting through the crowded night streets of Bilbao to desperately find a taxi, being loud and annoying on the deck of the ferry when we had it to ourselves, climbing the rocky cliffs by the ocean and trying not to fall (though some of us were not that lucky), asking a local Basque sushi vendor to speak Vasco for us just so we could hear the language, or stumbling upon a carnival by the river of the city and screaming more on the ride than the little kids.


There will always be beautiful things to see and amazing places to go, but you won't always have the right people with you. And they change everything; they change everything for the better.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

3073
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

1581
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

1199
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

1099
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments