Mike's Quotes #45: A Level Roller Coaster?

"A level roller coaster would not be much fun." - Mike Spillman (1.8.2019)

Why do you ride a roller coaster? Isn't it for the thrills? Isn't it for the speed, the ups and downs and, even on some, those "upside down" loops that you go through? YEAH!

And, at the same time, if I were to ask some why they DON'T ride a roller coaster, the answer would likely be very similar.

Either way, what makes a roller coaster a roller coaster is what makes it a "must do" for some and a "no way" for others. Point being, "a level roller coaster would not be much fun!"

Can you imagine being on a level roller coaster? No thanks!

But friend, it's the same with life. It's kind of like what I shared via my blog a few months ago when I asked, "If there were no frustrations, would I recognize elation when it arrived?"

Oh, I'm not saying that difficult times are fun but, at the same time, they help me realize that I AM ALIVE and I am a part of this roller coaster ride that we call "life"!

I like to compare it to that long, slow, hard, "up hill" part of a roller coaster ride right at the start. It's not an exciting part of the ride, right? Although, for me, I hate that part because I am afraid of heights. Anyway, this is a part of the process...getting you "high enough" to turn loose and "fly" down the track and to propel you for the rest of the ride. 

When things become difficult and it seems as if everything is "up hill", I try to think about the roller coaster and how I'm about to experience the THRILL of the ride, but only AFTER the up hill struggle. 

"A level roller coaster would not be much fun." In the same way, a life without "ups and downs" might seem attractive but, friend, it would not be a life to experienced by anyone.

Be sure to listen to the podcast and also watch the video by checking out the links below. And, until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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"Merely Existing OR Truly Living?" (Part 1)

"Merely Existing OR Truly Living?"

(Part 1)

If you haven't done so, be sure to check out the video and/or audio version of today's thoughts because I want to do EVERYTHING I can to help you NEVER, EVER forget to LIVE each and every day that you have.

Why?

Because, once gone, the day is gone forever.

So, wouldn't you agree that it's time to start LIVING? Today?

In the movie, "Tuck Everlasting", the dad who has remained the same age for years after drinking from the "fountain of youth" has a discussion with the young lady who stumbled upon the family and their secret.

He talks about how people would flock to this "magic stream" so that they, too, could live forever. But, as he continues on, living forever is not all it's cracked up to be.

He tells the young lady that she will continue to grow and change and experience life as she goes through the different stages of her life and, eventually, she will die having LIVED a full life. This was something that he and his family had missed out on. Nothing ever changed. They never grew older and were limited in the experiences that they could actually participate in due to their immortality.

Here's the point friend: When you are ALIVE and GROWING you are also CHANGING and EXPERIENCING what life has to offer - both good AND bad!

You see, this goes hand in hand with the discussion that we had about "When the Going Gets Tough..." in my last series. Life is made up of good AND rough times, laughter AND tears.

Yes, it would be great (or so we think) to experience nothing but happiness. My guess is that we know not that for which we ask in thinking such a thought.

But, hey, we're human. I know I often wish the tough times would disappear.

But, even in the midst of those tough times, I MUST realize that it is PROOF that I am LIVING, GROWING and CHANGING due to the experiences that come with living a full life.

It's not always easy, is it?

Stop living afraid. Stop living a life of fear or a life that tries so hard to avoid any displeasure that it simply ceases to experience ANYTHING - including life itself.

Stop existing. Start living. Today.

Until next time...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Surviving Life's Adventure

Surviving Life's Adventure

Just like the roller coaster above, life has it's UPs and it has it's DOWNs!

When you really think about it, what I have said this week is definitely true - LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE!

It just seems to be "human nature" for us to like it/enjoy it when things are on the "up" swing, right? However, I don't know that I've ever met anyone that actually expressed a liking to life when it is in a "down" swing and doing so at break-neck speed.

Oh, I've read words from people that have said we need to do this, but I've never actually met one. Have you?

So, here's the focus for the day - you CAN survive life's adventure!

You DO HAVE the ability to survive the struggles as well as life's celebrations!

How do I know that? Simple. You're still here.

The fact that you are still here reading this blog shows that YOU have the ability to survive life's ups and downs even if it's not fun!

"As long as there is breath there is hope!" I came up with this quote over a year ago and it is as true today as it was then and it will continue to be true for the rest of time!

As long as you are alive and breathing there is HOPE for something to change. And YOU have the ability to put that change into action.

Are you going to tell me that you have never had to get creative in order to survive life's adventure? Sure you have! Hey, "McGyver" has nothing on you! You've had to learn how to juggle bills or juggle jobs or..... you can fill in this part, right?

Has it always been easy? NO!

But, remember, no adventure is "easy" - that's what makes it an adventure! The risk involved ensures that it is not going to be an easy task. Seriously, what would be the adventure if it was all easy?

Now, please understand that I KNOW it's easier for me to sit and type these words than to remember them when things get tough. But, I know this about myself as well. I CAN because I already HAVE!

That's right. Just like you (and everyone else) I have survived which tells me that I can do it again - regardless of what life throws at me. And, yes, some things may knock me for a bigger loop and make it harder to get back up on my feet....but I WILL get back up on my feet. I know I can and I know I will.

Why? Because I - like you - am a SURVIVOR of life's adventure!

Take a look back at your life - as painful as it may be - and just notice times in your life that you have pulled through and survived when, at the time, it seemed like it might be impossible to do so.

Yeah, see? You CAN do it. You've done it before and you can do it again.

So, what's there to be afraid of?

Indeed, life IS an adventure and it's an adventure that YOU can survive.

So... let's go!

And, as you do so...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike