1/11/16, Roller Coaster
Hi Everyone,
It’s a cold, rainy Sunday in New York, and I’m visiting two of my children, which is always a joy for me. We had dinner together last night, will have brunch today and hang out together, which is always a gift for me.
I was just thinking about the roller coaster of life, the shocks and not always good surprises that life broadsides us with. It happens to us all. And the bigger the life, the rougher the ride sometimes. I’ve spent the last two and a half weeks since Christmas, visiting two people I love in the hospital, both very sick. One hit unexpectedly with an illness they had 2 chances in a million to catch, the other sick for a long time. It makes you realize again how quickly things can change. Someone I work with had an accident in LA during the holidays and had to be flown back to New York in an ambulance plane for surgery. And I heard from a close friend last night, that his business partner had pulled a power move and tried to shut him out of his business this week, which is going to involve a lot of legal work to straighten it out. It’s the second story I’ve heard like it recently, of people being pushed out of their jobs or business by someone they trusted. It happens to all of us—-we get hit like a ton of bricks by something we didn’t expect. It’s part of life, and definitely not the fun part!!!
I don’t have any great Pollyanna answers about how to deal with the tough things that happen to us unexpectedly. You just have to hang on, go through it, do the best you can, and hope for a good outcome. And no question, long term, sometimes blessings come from it, a stronger relationship, a better job or partnership, a rethinking of what we care about most, a deeper appreciation for the good times and good people in our lives. And I’ve had times when I’ve been thrown for a loop too, in business or my personal life. Big stuff, not just small stuff, and I’m sure those things have happened to you too!!! No one is exempt. Great things happen, but so do hard ones, and suddenly an easy day becomes a very hard one, and some things take a long time to resolve.
Someone sent me a greeting card once that said “Life is like a roller coaster ride” (with a picture of a kid screaming on a roller coaster on the front) and inside” First you scream, and then you throw up”. All true. But after that, you have to hang on for dear life, figure out how to survive it, how to deal with it, and what the best outcome will be (sometimes with unusual solutions you’d never thought of before), and how to make the best of it. Sometimes endurance serves us best, and perseverance, getting through a big problem day by day, or even hour by hour, until the bad time has passed.
I’m sharing this with you in case you’re on the ‘scream-y’ part of the roller coaster ride, and if you’ve been broadsided by some big event that’s challenging you. Hang on!!! The ride does smooth out again in time. We forget that when we’re in the midst of it. The problems do get solved, and somehow we survive it. There will always be unexpected storms in this lifetime, even tornadoes and hurricanes, it’s all about how we survive them, and the things we learn while going through them. It’s not the fun part, but it’s part of the deal. So onward through the storms, and if you’re on the roller coaster ride right now, HANG ON!!!! And whatever is happening, it will smooth out again….I remind myself of that too!!!
much love, Danielle
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Life IS a roller coaster ride for sure-mostly fun but scary sometimes too and rough being jolted around but it’s definitely worth it!
Dear Danielle,
Thank you for writing such an inspiring piece. Life is a roller coaster ride…and yes, I’m on it, along with hundreds and thousands of people.
But I’m hopeful (like you) that the ride will smooth out again!!!
Best,
Asavari
Thank you for sharing that.
I you give me hope .
Hi Danielle!
At sea, sail cruising or racing, on the wind, in heavy weather, the boat must successively and constantly pass the crest and trough of the waves. Sometimes the height can be 5 to 7 meters and must not, descending or break the boat and lose everything or drive it into the water in the pit bottom. The helmsman negotiates every pass, every peak, every hollow, non-stop for hours, it’s not going straight, he luffed up the hill and bear away arrived on the ridge.
On land, I think the fault is believed to be excused from this work, this control, continuous efforts and can go all risks without straight on your rollercoaster.
At sea when the wind strength and wave forms is reduced sail area, certainly you go slowly but increases its chances to reach their destination.
On land, sometimes indiscriminately continue ignoring the human resistance has its limits it would be better respected.
Believe we can control its destiny is carrying hope, the hope and courage can survive and take.
Charles
Danielle,
Thank you for demonstrating that love doesn’t stop at the hospital door by visiting your friends who are sick.
I literally held the hand of my surrogate father as he passed onward and upward last September in the hospital. It was one of my most sacred experiences as there was a strong presence of something greater than ourselves right there with us. I call it divine love.
I guess your message leads us back to hope and not giving up. I found the following which can shed a light on hope:
Shane Lopez, author of the book, Making Hope Happen, comments that “there is a profound difference between hoping and wishing”, according to CNN, “wishing encourages passivity, whereas hope represents an active stance.”
Lopez states, “Wishing is fantasy that everything is going to turn out OK. Hoping is actually showing up for the hard work.”
Perhaps the hard work comes when “you’re on the ‘scream-y’ part of the roller coaster ride, and if you’ve been broadsided by some big event that’s challenging you. Hang on!!!”
Truth, Wisdom, Love and Sincerity, to ALL Mankind.
Rob Scott
Boston, MA
Dear danielle I do believe life is a roller coaster and I do not mind being jolted here and there once in a while. I just want the strength to endure whatever life brings on. When I am old and wrinkled I wanna be proud and tell myself that seee this is the ocean I swam through.
Dear Danielle,
Loved this Blog. It came at the right time cause for the start of 2016 I somehow found a part of my personal life spiraling downward. Don’t know where it all came from or how it managed to build itself up to that point with no indication of disaster but it did!! And on the other hand, for the start of 2016, the other part of my personal life has been soaring. I got a job that pays more than what I’ve ever been paid & allows me to finally have room to not only breathe but to spend!! Things in the writing field seem more obtainable. My website will become a reality. And I can buy as many books & ebooks as I want. I don’t spend on clothes so that’s where my money goes.
Unsure of what this year will bring but i’m hopeful. Getting into “genetics, Parrallel Universes, and securing myself in my faith (with God),” & trying to combine it all and make sense of it is just overwhelming and exciting.
I’m no over the top individual that is strung up on theory yet lost sight of reality…I’m very sensible with vast experience in the spiritual/supernatural. I just never pursued any answers to the experiences I’ve had. I’m beginning to do so now. It’s well overdue.
As always… I love you and wish you all the best!!
Late Bloomer
Dear Danielle,
I just wanted to say Thank You for your inspiration You gave me through your novels. I’ve read plently of your books already, but I’m planning to read all of them. (I’m about to start reading ‘Big Girl’ after I send this message to You ). I admire what all You do and what all You’ve been through. You really are (one of) my Role Model, an amazing writer, and seem a wonderful person & Mom,too! I love writing myself as well and would love to have a big family in the future, and also hoping to be able to meet You in person one day!
All the best & lots of love from Hungary! 🙂
Claudia K.
This was a good article! So many times your articles hit home! Hope your friends are on the road to recovery. I can’t wait to read Blue,I’m in the middle of Precious Gifts right now!
Love,
Lorraine