Don't Take the Ride: Staying Grounded and True

We all love roller coasters.  Well, at least some of us. Either way, love ‘em or hate ‘em, it's fun to watch the riders experience those wild rides, full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and hair-raising speed.

Ultimately though, that roller coaster ride ends up right back where we started, with our minds discombobulated and our insides shaken.  Fun, perhaps for a moment, but no way to live life. 

Even still, aren’t we always at least a little bit tempted to get on? 

Life is a journey of discovery with both thrilling mountaintop moments and plenty of times down deep in the valleys where despair and brokenness relentlessly prevail. For some it feels like a rollercoaster ride with a constant barrage of emotional swings that would make anyone nauseous. But remember: You don't have to take the ride.

Ultimately, a great thriller is a
roller coaster ride. I like to think that's
a promise I have never failed to keep, and
one that I'd say has served my books well.  
— James Patterson

Have you noticed that some people live on a never-ending emotional roller coaster, with a constant frenetic pace that leaves them dazed and mostly exhausted with yet another ride coming soon?

It's like living with teenagers!

Relevant sage advice was shared at one of our recent retreats for school and board leaders. When those people want to ride the rollercoaster or other risky entertainment, cheer them on and offer to hold their stuff, but we don't have to take that ride with them.

Keep your feet solidly planted on the ground to avoid the inevitable consequences. 

Pursue some path,
however narrow and crooked,
in which you can walk with love and reverence. 
— Henry David Thoreau

Interestingly, roller coasters are attached to a predictable path that is designed on purpose to disturb the rider's equilibrium and senses to produce the experience.  The disturbances are intentional.

Every day, we make decisions that directly determine our path and our destination. We may wonder how these wild swings occur, but it's obvious to those around that it didn't happen randomly but rather due to choices with predictable results.

To avoid the aftermath of that turbulent path, we can start making new decisions.

God cannot give us a happiness and
peace apart from Himself, because
it is not there. There is no such thing. 
—  C. S. Lewis

Life is certainly a journey of discovery with both thrilling mountaintop moments and plenty of times down deep in the valleys where despair and brokenness relentlessly prevail. But we still have choices.

The life of an educator can be full of ups and downs, with the school year too often feeling like a roller coaster ride where it's hard to imagine finding any joy and peace.

Peace can be found by remaining grounded in our faith, practicing those disciplines that sustain perspective, and choosing not to take the ride with others. Find serenity by focusing on what you can control and making the wisest decisions.

Stay grounded and true, my friend, avoiding the dramatic twists and turns that may appear tempting but don't lead where you want to go.