Enjoy The Ride

"Life is truly a ride. We're all strapped in and no one can stop it. When the doctor slaps your behind the day you arrived, he's ripping your ticket and away you go. As you make each passage from youth to adulthood to maturity, sometimes you put your arms up and scream, sometimes you just hang onto the bar in front of you. But the ride is the thing. I think the most you can hope for at the end of life is that your hair is messed, you're out of breath and you didn't throw up." ~ Unknown

I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of roller coasters. I don't avoid them. Well, I avoid some, like the Sidewinder at Hershey - I always come off that thing with a wicked headache. I like the Great Bear and Lightening Racer. I will never step foot on the Storm Runner. So, guess you can say I'm semi-adventurous when it comes to coasters.

I'd also say I'm semi-adventurous when it comes to life. But it wasn't always that way, "semi" rarely described my manner as a young adult. I recall a couple of times when, just after getting my drivers license, I decided to, say...drive south to see where it takes me. At the time, I lived in Sacramento so driving south meant San Francisco or the surrounding bay area. I set off on my adventure, armed with only my camera and $20 in cash. Of course, there were no cell phones or GPS back then. I didn't even tell my family where I was going. I'm shocked that I am alive today. Imagine the crazy things that could have gone terribly wrong.

Anyhow, I had some of the most amazing adventures on these spontaneous outings. One particular trip landed me in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The day was cool and I arrived just after the morning fog had burned away, leaving behind a sky bluer than blue. I parked my diesel 1981 VW Rabbit and strolled aimlessly around the docks, taking in the scene with all my senses; the constant squawking of hungry seagulls, the pungent smell of the fresh catch, the stickiness of the salt air on my skin and in my hair, all the vibrant colors of the fishing boats, and lastly, tasting that hot cup of perfectly brewed coffee. I stood there on the end of that pier, my senses fully loaded and I was in harmony with...my life.

Adventures awaken something dormant in us. That day I felt something unfamiliar, yet so comfortable, emerge. The rarely seen or felt side of me that says "swim against the current" and "enjoy this life because it's here for you to take pleasure in."

But I was only seventeen. So much life has taken place since then and I'm a different person now. I have responsibilities and important things to take care of. I don't have time for such childish adventures!!! Sure I say that, but deep in my soul, there is an inexplicable longing to explore, to go on an exciting adventure, to be child-like and free! In Luke and Matthew, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." I think of my day on Pier 39 in San Francisco ~ I felt free like a child. The gift of that day just waited for me... to wake up that morning and make the wild decision to drive 90 miles and arrive at an unfamiliar place. In a strange way, I received a taste of the kingdom of God that amazing day.

What is holding you back from, "receiving the kingdom like a little child?"
What is holding you back from pursuing the gift that awaits your arrival?
What is holding you back from the creative adventure that longs to begin?

As for me, I want to stop the death grip on the bar, throw my hands into the air, laugh out loud, get knots in my hair and enjoy the adventure, enjoy this ride called life! And maybe, one day, even enjoy the Storm Runner.

Grace & peace on the journey~ deAnn

(c) 2009 deAnn Roe of Vertical Creativity.