when i was little, my older cousin used to take me and my sister to six flags because we were just c.r.a.z.y about it. we loved the whole experience of it all, from the hot summer weather to the water rides to the big ass turkey legs to the stuffed animal prizes. my dear, sweet, angel-of-a-cousin not only took us, she indulged our every whim, buying us souvenir photos and willingly staying as long as we wanted. did i mention that she was an angel?
we would wait in huge, long lines for all these crazy rides, but my favorite was always the wickedest roller coaster at the amusement park. first it would tick all the way up this 90 degree angle track into the blue, blue sky, then hold you there while you sweated in nervous anticipation. then the latch would finally let go and you would barrel backwards through the sheer drop and ride the entire sequence of loops and twists without knowing what was coming when. and the whole time, your stomach would be in your throat while you screamed your lungs hoarse.
and i loved it.
i would want to ride that particular one again and again. i didn't like the normal up-and-down roller coaster because it wasn't nearly as exciting or sexy or risky. i craved the thrill and danger of the crazy coaster, as did the rest of the crowd at the park.
why is the opposite so true in life? no one wants to barrel through life with one unexpected twist and turn after another, feeling sick to your stomach. you'd be insane to want that. but at the same time, life would be boring if it were a merry-go-round, right? if we just went in circles and circles to the same soundtrack? where is the happy medium?
i guess the trick lies in finding your balance and center, no matter what the ride. create your own force of gravity to keep yourself anchored when things are out of control, and learn to appreciate the serenity when things are calmer.
funny though. we humans are such dichotomous creatures.
(nyc)
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