Story

The first time I ever rode a big roller coaster was an absolute disaster. My family and I took a trip to an amusement park, in which my parents felt like it was finally time for me to ride one of the biggest coasters there. I felt otherwise. I remember standing in line, feeling my heart pounding in my chest, as I watched the ride soar above me. I was doing my best to give something new a chance, but deep down I was terrified. After waiting and worrying for what seemed like forever, we boarded the ride. I clenched the bar that strapped us in and spent the next two minutes of the ride with my eyes closed, screaming louder than I ever had in my life. When the ride came to an end, my parents eagerly awaited my review, although I'm pretty sure they could tell by my screams how I truly felt. They asked me what I thought and well, all I could see was black since my eyes were closed and all I could hear were my own screams. I realized that I had put so much effort into worrying about what could go wrong, that I didn't even get to experience what the ride was truly like or realize that if I had put my worrying aside, I would have had fun. 

The roller coaster is like our life, if we go through each day worrying, closing our eyes, and screaming in fear of what might happen, we’re going to miss all the great things that are actually happening around us. Don’t let life pass you by because you were too busy thinking about the “what ifs”. Challenge yourself to worry less, and just enjoy the ride! 

Artist

Chris Dyer