A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of going to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. I love traveling to new states, and this was my first time visiting Ohio. Let me say first of all, that I was not disappointed at all and it was a spectacular experience.

We were going to Cedar Point for the one and only Bloggy Conference. My sister and I were honored to present our topic 3 Ways to Be Authentic in Your Content in front of an engaged audience. We love speaking about we love to teach others.

If you know me well, you could say I’m an avid roller-coaster aficionado. I love the thrill and that wonderful butterflies in your stomach feeling when you are in line and when you go up that first hill. It’s amazing. And the best part of Cedar Point is that it has the wildest coasters.

My sister and I went on the 2nd tallest roller-coaster in the U.S., the Top Thrill Dragster is 420 feet tall, and has a 90 degree angle. When we walked up to it the first time, I was impressed by the sheer size and that it goes 120 miles per hour. I think my sister may have been even more excited than I was.

We waited in line for about 15 minutes, which is one of the shortest wait times we’ve ever had at an amusement park, and we got in the front seat. It always seems to me that once you are buckled into your seat, reality hits you and you realize you are going on this for real. 

One thing is thinking about something and another is actually doing it. But, what matters is pushing forward no matter the risk and taking those unexpected leaps of faith. I tend to overthink things, and taking risks and rising to the challenge actually helps me cure that. It encourages me that some things you don’t have to think excessively about.

Elyssa’s favorite roller-coaster was the Valravn. It has a lot of loops and upside down spins. I think it’s very unique and I also really enjoyed it. Our mom was nervous because we rode this one at night and also because it was her first time experiencing us being in line by ourselves.

Our mom is very protective so I guess this was a touching emotional “my kids are growing up” moment. (eye-roll) She has a lot of those. Parents… you never really understand them until you are one. Thankfully that’s more than 10 years down the road for me…

Our mom has actually been to Cedar Point before! She had her first roller-coaster experience ever here, on a roller-coaster called Gemini. She went after her friend Laurie invited her to go on it with her. So, my naive mom, who had no idea what a roller-coaster experience was like, went on it, and was scarred for life. 

Elyssa and I got to have her same experience and I can’t believe that was her first coaster, since it is relatively frightening, but I can imagine for someone who had never ever been on a roller-coaster, it would be traumatizing. Our mom swears that Laurie still has scratches on her arm from our mom gripping onto her so hard. 

Which also reminds me, Cedar Point was a birthday trip, because my birthday was on September 20th! I’m 15 now, and my mom also has a hard time accepting that I’m one year older. I also feel kind of old, seeing my 4 year old sister, Eliana, I think “Oh my gosh, I’m 11 years older than her.” It’s hard to grow up, though it’s exciting at the same time.

And that’s my analogy for roller-coasters that I’d like to share with you. A roller-coaster is like life. Every single challenge, new experience, gives us those feelings of euphoria. Sometimes we feel like giving up (or throwing up – blech!) but life is a short joyride.

It seems like it lasts forever when you’re on it (seriously, it does seem like it lasts a long time), but really it isn’t. Your life will be over sooner than you expect it to be, and that doesn’t mean you have to get all depressed and think about how or when you’re going to die, but make the most of it.

Take those leaps, those risks, the ones you know are hard to take but they will be so worth it in the end, because, looking back, you’ll feel it was worth it and you will have that sense of satisfaction that even though we are all imperfect, flawed, and unique human beings, you made the most of it and did your best. And, to me, that’s what life is all about.

So whether your challenge is a roller-coaster, or something a bit more complicated than that, keep going, keep your head up high and do your best. You won’t regret it in the end. 

[elisha]