I Don’t Like Roller Coasters by Pennie Hunt

I don’t like roller coasters. Some people love them. They get off the ride enthusiastically saying things like,
“That was the best! So Cool! Let’s do it again!!!”

Not me. If you ever get me on a roller coaster, I get off saying,
“I am glad that is over! Never again!”

I am uneasy with the clattering sound the track makes as my body is jolted and shifted from side to side and I am shaken in a way no body is meant to be shaken. I don’t enjoy the open-air insecurity. I clutch the safety handle (I use that term loosely) as the coaster moves on a slow ride up --knowing the entire time that soon I will be drastically dropped. The feeling of pending fear does not blend well with me.

After a devastating accident in 2018, a Highway Patrolman sat next to my emergency room bed. I don’t remember much about those chaotic moments, but I do remember him saying,
 “You have just experienced the most horrifying roller coaster ride
    you will ever be on.”

He had no idea how much I disliked roller coasters or how true that statement was. By all accounts, reports, and eyewitnesses, (including my own) it was a miracle that I survived. This ride included all the sounds and feelings I mentioned above - magnified a thousand times.

We all have ups and downs in life. Joyful times and tragedy. We all have events and circumstances we love and we all dislike a few. That is normal and it is normal to experience some jolts and fear in life.

But I don’t like roller coasters. I like a steady life of peace, security, and calm simplicity. (Que Disneyland’s It’s a Small World song – if you know you know.)
I like a life of certainty. I like knowing that over the years I have created a solid standard for myself and my personal mission statement is firmly engrained in my heart. These create a sturdy and steady foundation for my life. Life would be boring if there were no surprises thrown in, so I do enjoy those. What I don’t enjoy is drama and chaos. I don’t enjoy fear. I don’t enjoy pain.

Some people seem to love living life on a roller coaster of drama. Their continual moodiness and ups and downs of problems feed them. Their internal dichotomies of hate and love, joy and despair, are aired externally on a constant rotation. It is as if they require the drama in their lives and enjoy the attention it brings. They enjoy the jolts and shakes. The uncertain painful climbs and drastic drops become certain to occur in their lives. They expect it, so it continues.

Which one are you? Do you jump in line for the biggest roller coaster or are you happy to walk by the crazy ride? If you step back and see yourself living life in constant drama and chaos it could be time to change. The jolts and pain wear on your body and your soul. How much of it is real and how much of it is embellished catastrophizing on your part? Do you enjoy exaggerating and expanding a story so that it is exciting to tell it over and over? Do you enjoy the attention it brings to you? 

The first step is realizing that you are doing this. Look at yourself, your life, and your stories from an outside perspective. Be the person that watches and listens to you – what are they thinking and seeing? It takes a deep objective look to see the truth, but once you do you will have the power to slow it down and be realistic about what is worthy of drama and what isn’t. You can get off the crazy ride.

I don’t like roller coasters. Do you?
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                                                     Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                                     Don’t live in a constant state of drama.
                                                  Get off the roller coaster.
                                            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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#CornerofSpiritandBrave #loveyourlifenomatterwhat #journeythrough #PennieHunt #YouAreGoodEnough #IAmGoodEnough
YOUR TURN...        
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                                                                 Thank you!  ​
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                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
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