ROADS & ROLLERCOASTERS
The roller coaster, in its full prime, is the perfect vehicle to experience a thrill with very little risk. I remember riding the roller coaster at Lincoln Park many years ago. I felt so lucky, no one in line but us two curious gals looking for a little excitement in our otherwise boring 1980 teenage lives. No lines and nothing to do, we made a pact to ride 20 times in a row, hopping over the railing after each finish like we owned the place. It was invigorating. On the first ride I could feel myself inviting the usual questions before investing in my fate. Is the structure safe? Of course, I am tall enough, but what if, I climb, climb, climb, and then change my mind? The ride has now begun and there is no turning back. We dismiss the simple questions and achieve our euphoric goal. Sadly, the only thing that is in line with those tracks now, is the tall weeds, overgrowing into, and around the once slick & well oiled machine.
As I sit here today and transition my thoughts toward my business, the entrepreneurial questions I have go much deeper for me. Is my structure strong enough to hold all of these cars? Am I on the right track? Are there really any wrong tracks? This is, par for the course, and very much expected in the life of an entrepreneur, to constantly question. I actually like to dive into those questions more often than not, and answer them honestly, one by one, as they smack me in the face like fast flying air. On the way down and back up again I climb. Observing the lows and riding the highs, I find new knots in my stomach and discover new beats in my heart. I embrace the twists & turns, as well as the down the hill simulated crashes that test my spirit. I believe I am avoiding the rickety unstable tracks in my path and I know I am embracing the good vibrations worth investigating.
Like roller coasters, with each road I take, I become closer to my goals. I see no need for an exit. As an entrepreneur, I know I have to prove myself and gain credibility to a certain degree, regardless of any on looking skepticism or rubber necking that can feed my occasional doubt. I follow the righteous with their bikes carefully packed, and their roofs racked with solid Big Macs. I pick up a gal that is heading my way and drop off the gal who doesn’t need to stay. I can see that there is a lot to discover still, and much needed work ahead of me. This road continues to feel like a fantastic noble one, I remain proud of what I’ve seen in my rear view and what is yet to come. I am not on the side of the road kill. And most of my roads have had gaping holes that I’ve had to fill. I look straight ahead now into the tunnel of changing autumn trees, carrying me on their high ways. I want to breathe new life and inspiration into this new road, without driving defensively. Instead, I will take the offensive road, where the creative passion permeates. I want burst out of each tunnel with reckless abandon, rather than drive out with a familiar and calculated pace.
My map is not one favored by Google earth or its searchers. This map is ever shifting and growing. Once scared of the unknown, I now challenge the dried ink on the page and manifest my own roads. I have graduated with each decision to the next unchartered territory. Beyond any signs or direction, I know I have reached my destination.