The Ride

Metaphorically, I like to think of life as a long rollercoaster ride, (or possibly an endless buffet, with an end). Don't make me choose. 

While life can be a slow climb at times ( the rollercoaster, not the buffet), (Well, maybe the buffet, as well) filled with both anticipation and a bit of ennui, there's likely to be a swift and exhilarating descent just ahead. Sometimes we look forward to the next exciting moment, while other times we fear it and would rather keep things on a level emotional plain.

There are always curves coming ahead on the track with no view of what's around the bend. We often try and predict and control what will happen next in our life. If we believe in free will, we think we can determine our own destiny. We believe we make choices and decisions in the moment even though we've never ridden this coaster before. (Unless you're into the whole reincarnation thing). 

A lot of the neuroscience currently being studied suggests that free will is an illusion. But that doesn't have to spoil the ride. The choices we make every instant of every day are still our choices even though we believe we could have chosen differently; clearly we didn't. Part of enjoying the ride seems to be accepting who we are rather than who we think we could or should be. 

Of course the question of how we got on the rollercoaster to start with is a hotly debated one. Our enjoyment and understanding of the ride can be greatly influenced by how we see ourselves and why we think we are here. 

There's going to be plenty of people who want to give us advice and tell us how to get the most out of our ride and what the ride itself is supposed to mean. Of course, the ride they're experiencing isn't our ride.

Coming to the end of our rollercoaster ride presents us with all kinds of feelings and questions. We may wonder if we got the most out of our ride, whatever that means. (We did, by the way) We may feel a sense of loss in having to get off soon, too soon. We often realize just how joyful being alive is/was and are grateful for the opportunity to ride. 

I remember something I read long ago, that suggested that when we arrive in this world we each receive a ticket that says "Admit one". (Now where did I put that ticket?) That's it, "not have a nice day", "hope you enjoy your stay",  "Keep hands and feet inside the car", none of that stuff. 

It's all up to us to make it the ride of our life, whether we think we chose it freely or not,  because it is, our life and our ride. Wheeeee!

Now about that buffet. Don't fill up on bread, but don't pass up every gooey treat, because you might not get another shot at it. Gormandize as you will.