Yet, the ‘amusement parks’ (I find the name a little strange) are always full of energetic and not so energetic people who love to take a plunge into the world of fun even though the rides sent their stress level high. We pay big, for a little cart dropping off a hill and flipping us upside down stopping just in time for most people to catch their breath. On the other side, the stress of daily life for many of us often seems like an endless roller coaster ride that we perpetually find ourselves on with its continual jerking from side to side and its exhilarating climbs and sometimes sudden frightening falls.
However, if some other stress comes into lives, suddenly the world comes to a standstill for us. We are ready to pay and take the scare ride on a giant wheel and let our stress levels shoot up, but we are not ready to accept any other stress into our lives. How come we can be so brave and tough on the roller coaster and be so whimsy and whinny when any other stress hits us? Is it because “unpaid for” stress gets down on us so quickly, rather than those we have to pay like the joy ride on a giant wheel, then?
I believe that life’s stress gets us down so easily because we do not expect them. On the giant wheel we know when we get to the top of the hill that stress was shortly coming. God’s safety straps of love help us hold us together. The closer we are to Him the easier it is to hold on. In life, stress strikes us without warning. We cannot predict exactly, when and what is coming. This is where, I personally feel, prayers come to our rescue and with faith in God, we get the clarity to go through the tough period with strength of mind. God is the only entity, we can hold on to at such times. When life sends us through the rough times, it is assuring to know God is with us all the way.
Well, I feel that the reason the amusement ride is fun and normal is because everyday stress events drain us because we lose sight of the end. No matter how high the hill, or fast the ride, the roller coaster ride has the glorious end when you can stop and get out. The knowledge that there is an end has helped us through many a tough ride in life. Lastly, but perhaps the single greatest reason we get stressed in everyday life but survive and enjoy the stress of riding the so-called wild rides at the amusement parks is our ‘mindset’. We go to an amusement park with the full intention of riding the rides for the thrill of it, and we make it fun. When we view life with the mindset that this is going to be fun, suddenly stressful events aren’t any more than a roller coaster ride.
Finally, remember, when things are going well, appreciate it and enjoy it. But be conscious of the fact that things might go worse any time. Don’t let it become fear, because that will hamper our living of the present – just be mindful of the fact that life is unpredictable. And when you are feeling down, do not allow yourself to get bogged down by it. Remember that you just got to survive that period – you’ve probably done it before. Know that things will get better someday, maybe soon, and realise that this is going to make you a stronger person. Once you have tasted the bitter, the sweet tastes so much sweeter when it comes around.
