I’ve always been fascinated with amusement parks. It doesn’t matter if they are the grand and glorious theme parks crowned by mouse ears or just the local variety that you find near most major metropolitan areas of the country. Their surreal attraction of lights, gaudy colors and thrill rides, is irresistible to me. For as long as I can remember, going to an amusement park has always been one of my favorite things to do. Even if I may only get to one once or twice a year, the infrequency of the visits makes them all the more exciting. And no matter how old I get, when I make my way through the turnstiles, it is as though I have emerged from a time machine, in the best H.G. Wells fashion, and I am once again a kid. If it spins, turns upside down, or pins me against the seat, I am on it like that sticky red glaze on a candy apple.
Of all the rides that dot the midway of any park, however, there is one that holds a special place in this “kid’s” heart. I have a passion for roller coasters. It must be a shared passion, because the lines for these particular rides are invariably the longest. Perhaps it’s because there is something so deliciously enticing about names like “Thunderbolt”, “Storm Runner”, “Loch Ness Monster”, “Anaconda”, “Raptor” and “The Beast”. Whatever it is, the long wait for a ride that often lasts a mere minute or two seems to be worth it.
It seems to me that in that short space of time a roller coaster, in a way, takes life and compresses it into a neat little package. At the beginning of the ride, all is waiting and anticipation. I can remember as a teen how impatient I was and how it seemed like nothing happened quick enough for me. Then you begin the climb of that first hill. More anticipation, but now mixed with a little apprehension. It reminds me of going to school and wondering what course my life would take. And then, there it is. The coaster seems to hang for just a second or two as though frozen in time, before plunging down that first hill. Graduation, and the world rushes in on us, challenging us to catch our breath. Perhaps there will be a loop or some twists and turns, but there is one thing for sure; there will be other hills to climb and more plunges at high speed. And, again, hopefully without wearing out the simile, isn’t life a lot like that?
One final thing that I notice with each and every ride, is that the hills seem to be higher and the challenges greater at the beginning of the short journey than towards the end. Those final hills seem to be calculated to slow things down and get our blood pressure back to normal and ready to depart. “Depart?” Bad choice of words when talking about roller coasters and life, but life, in a real sense seems to slow down the older we get. We can lapse into a comfortable routine and a safe sameness without even realizing it. Those peaks and plunges become mere recollections of times gone by and of things that were, but are no more. Yet, in my best whiny, impatient, teenage voice, I just have to say, “oh, yeah?”
Yes, of course, life can be like that roller coaster. It can be all excitement and anticipation at the beginning and eventually settle into a nice, easy pace. We can see that happen at home, in our jobs, in our training, hell just about any aspect of the things that make us who we are. But, you know what? Like that roller coaster, one ride should never be enough. What’s wrong with running around like a wide-eyed kid, back to the entrance and getting in line for another ride? You hold the ticket in your hand.
Oh, and one final piece of advice, from a veteran coaster rider; if you have to hold on, you’re only getting half the ride.
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Copyright 2004-2009 John R. Gesselberty. Mahler's Monday Morning Motivators (MMMM) may not be copied or used without permission of the author. All rights reserved.
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__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
I love rollercoasters, they can't build one I won't ride.
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Walk on
With hope in your heart
And You'll Never Walk Alone
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There's no free lunch, especially when it's served with special sauce (lostdog)
***************************** My Log - PC Plod
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
And I couldn't agree more - if you're holding on, you're just taking up a seat that the real riders could be using!
We're having our annual family reunion at Cedar Point this summer. Looking forward to it. Even though I'm not a big fan of roller coasters, I like the roller coaster/life analogy. I'll post at the end of June and let you know if I found the courage to go on one of the monster coasters. Forget about not holding on though.
The Phantom's Revenge (formerly The Steel Phantom) is one of my favorites in Pittsburgh. 230 foot drop on the second hill at speed in excess of 85 mph.
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
Awesome vids, Mahler. I'm a major coaster fan, although I have to stick to steel these days or my neck doesn't forgive me . I remember Hershey Park - don't know if I could handle going there now - too much yummy chocolate smell EVERYWHERE!!!!
__________________ The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same. -- Carlos Castaneda
Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 257 – Roller Coasters
. I remember Hershey Park - don't know if I could handle going there now - too much yummy chocolate smell EVERYWHERE!!!! 
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