The Amusement Park Of Me

Have you ever thought about life as if it were a theme park? Which ride describes you? I was at work today watching everyone - it is amazing how much you can pick up on a person's life just by watching them. You can learn how they interact with others, how they deal with things, if they're happy or sad. It got me thinking about the different types of lives that there are and how they compare to theme park rides. I picked 8 to look at...

First off there is the DROP TOWER life, this life is one of those where one minute the person is sky high, floating on clouds and nothing could go wrong. The next minute their entire world is crashing towards the ground and they can find no way to stop. They scream and cry that they are going to hit rock bottom soon, but somehow - they always manage to survive. They never do crash, things slow down and their breathing returns to normal.

Next comes the FERRIS WHEEL life, these people are probably some of the most common. They have an even flow of ups and downs, sometimes being the optimist, other times the pessimist. They seem to be on a smooth, consistent flow in their life. There are no major twists or curves, just a steady motion that you can always count on.

Of course you also have the HOUSE OF MIRRORS life, this type of person stays confused. They never know if they are coming or going. This could depress them, frustrate them, or make them completely angry. No matter what they do there is always another picture that lures them in another direction. When they think they have "found their way out", they see something else that pulls them in another direction. These people live their life in a maze of indecision.

There are some who live the LOG FLUME life, in this ride of life people generally go with the flow. There may be a few sudden drops or changes, but for the most part they're just riding along the river of life. They are content to simply let life take the lead and put them where it wants to put them. They have no real plans, no desires, no ambitions. They simply want to take the ride of life.

There is the OBSERVATION TOWER life. This type of person is content to watch life pass them by. They have no real interest in taking part, no desire to take the initiative to get into the groove of life and experience all life has to offer. They watch other people's lives, pick out the positives and negatives and talk about them...but they never take time to live their own life.

The ROLLER COASTER life is probably the most dramatic life. These people are on a constant up and down motion, they take sharp turns and curves. Their lives are lived fast paced, never taking time to slow down and enjoy life. There are moments where their lives are upside down, right side up, curving left, being hurled right...you never know what it is going to be like when you are around a person living this life.

A life that I find interesting is the REVERSE BUNGEE! Now, generally a bungee means the person is basically falling until they are jerked back up. In a reverse bungee it is literally a slingshot motion. These people aren't afraid to propel themselves forward no matter what it takes. They are willing to take whatever risks it takes for them to become a dramatic part of life. They want people to know them and remember them.

I think my favorite might be the TUMBLE BUG life. On this ride of life riders experience motion that is rotational as well as vertical. Life moves at a steady pace...not crazy fast, not crazy slow...steady. It is upright, sure if something major happens it can be turned upside down, but for the most part it stays vertical. There are changes in the direction, but they are not major changes, they are rational and steady.

What a calm world we would live in if everyone chose the Ferris Wheel, the Tumble Bug, the Observation Tower, or the Log Flume as their chosen ride of life. But then, who would we stare at? Who would we compare our lives to? Who would we write about?!