Merry-Go-Rounds and Roller Coasters

When I was a kid, I loved going to fairs and amusement parks.  I’d buy a bunch of tickets and go on the rides all day or all night.  I think night was the best.  The lights.  The sounds.  The smells.  The faster, the better. 

I never liked the Ferris Wheel because I don’t do heights very well.  It seemed like most of the ride was either loading or unloading passengers.  I hated getting stuck on the top.  And, was that one little bar across your lap really supposed to prevent you from falling out?  Yeah, right!

Merry-Go-Rounds were okay if you were little.  When my kids were little, they’d try to find the fastest horse to ride and we’d race.  Of course, my kids always won.  Funny how that happens.  But as I, and they, got older, Merry-Go-Rounds got stale.  I mean, all they did was go around, and around, and . . .

I prefer Roller Coasters.  The slow, steady climb up the hill.  The building of excitement.  The heart pounds, beats faster.  As you near the top, you hold your breathe.  As you go over the pinnacle, you throw your hands up in the air and scream.  Okay, maybe you don’t scream, but I do.  Sometimes just in my head because I don’t want to look like a wuss to my kids.  We race around turns, through loops and corkscrews.  It doesn’t last but a minute or two, but it’s fun.  It’s exciting.  And, you find yourself climbing on board again, and again, and . . .

I know people who never seem to get off the Merry-Go-Round.  They spend their day going around, and around, and . . .  They get up in the morning, put on their “uniform” symbolizing they are ready for “work”, climb on a wooden horse and go around, and around, and . . .  Each day.  Every day.  Same routine.

Pretty boring really.  No thrills.  No excitement.  Same sights.  Same music.  Same, well, everything.

I prefer to live my life like it was a Roller Coaster.  Twists and turns.  Ups and downs.  Sometimes slow.  Sometimes fast.  Climbing towards the top, and then plunging down over the pinnacle only to level out and climb another hill, then plunge down once again.  At times I want to hold my breath.  At other times, I want to scream out of fear, sometimes out of joy.  At times I have enough and want to get off, but I find myself climbing back on board.  I near the top and throw my hands in the air and just go with it.

Merry-Go-Rounds or Roller Coasters.

It’s really a choice. Your choice.  My choice.  Rather than the Merry-Go-Round where you go around, and around, and . . . in a never-ending circle, choose the Roller Coaster.  It’s more exciting.  Slow.  Fast.  Up.  Down.  Twists.  Turns.  Your choice.  Hang on and enjoy the ride.  Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!