When I was young, I loved riding roller coasters. The anticipation of climbing the first hill, holding my arms high in the air and feeling my stomach in my throat as the car flew through the turns provided a thrill like no other. However, that was then and this is now. Today, every time I get on a roller coaster, I embarrassingly scream like a wounded animal and just pray that I won’t get sick on the person in front of me. For me, the ride is just not worth the fare.
When I think of roller coasters, I am reminded of the movie Parenthood. Steve Martin portrays a stressed out father who is fighting against the ups and downs in life. As anxiety heightens, images of roller coasters raging through the hills flash in his mind. This crazy ride is not thrilling for most adults, but leans more to the side of terrifying. The lesson learned by Steve in this movie is that just because the roller coaster is there doesn’t mean you are required to get on the ride.
This time of year, in particular, seems to provide an ample amount of roller coasters to ride. We frantically attempt to meet fiscal year deadlines, prepare annual budgets that seem impossible, or try to maneuver through a crowded mall with a screaming child. No matter the event, it is guaranteed there will be a proverbial theme park around every corner with signs at the entrance of the roller coaster that read “no waiting”. So, the question we face, just as Steve Martin did, “are you going to pay the fare to take the ride?"
I’ve learned to take a moment and ask myself this very question and it isn’t always easy, especially if others I am with have already gotten on the ride. This has taken some hard work, because for many years I went ahead and bought the season pass. I guess I didn’t know I really had an option. What freedom I feel now, not to mention less nauseam, knowing that it is just fine to choose the Ferris wheel over the roller coaster!
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