It’s hard not to be present on a rollercoaster ride. The curving of the track, the hill that catches you on the way down. The slow climb up the tracks as they click and clack along the way.
There is so much behind the building and construction of a rollercoaster. Mechanics. Technology. Safety. But I wonder if there is that one person who knows, this ride will bring joy and thrills because they can’t help be present.
After each ride today my family and I jumped off the coaster with huge, goofy grins. We felt the water splash our faces, twisted our bodies into the curves of the tracks, and could still hear the sounds of whatever ambiance the ride was hoping to build.
“Again!” My youngest shouted after each one.
“That was awesome,” my oldest yelled each time.
“What’s the next ride?” my middle asked.
We couldn’t wait to live in the moment quite as completely as the ride allowed us too.
At least, that’s how I see it now. In the moment I remained as long as a good in the present. The screams of delight still fading into the distance.
Embracing Next 