It has been a wild week. You might think that it is normal for my emotions to run the gamut, but it simply is not true. Who knows what makes the stars align in such a way that I get a little goofy? I suffer highs and lows and every elemental tidbit of passion in-between. Oh yes, it is truly a challenge to be me, even more so to know me.
Have you ever really pondered on how resilient the human spirit is? No matter how devastating the loss, or the failure, or the disappointment, we as a species eventually just grab the reins of life and move along. For many that step forward is easy; for others it is hard. Some find strength in the divine; some find strength from within; some just flounder until it gets better. All that aside, I think it is life’s imbalance that balances us. Emotional pendulums do sway but in syncopated rhythm. It is in the throes of discomfort where growth lies. And it seems that I am always growing. Bouncing back and reaching for the stars as a kid was always so easy. For those of you like me, older than dirt, you might remember the ring dispenser alongside carnival merry-go-rounds that held a lot of iron rings, but only one brass ring. It took focused timing and dexterity as a kid to reach and grab for a ring as the carousel sped around. If you got the brass ring, you got to ride again for free. That achievement was all it took to absolutely make your day. Grabbing the brass ring is much different as a grownup. I could say that I grab a brass ring every day that I awaken. Pretty corny, huh? I would be more apt to say that it is delivered every time the sun shines, or the rain soothes, or a child smiles. Those with a quizzical mindset might equate it to landing a date with a gorgeous love prospect or winning the trifecta at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. Others believe it is merely achieving success or amassing wealth. In any translation, adult brass rings are the trophies that give our life perspective, peace, inspiration, and whimsy. So, emotional mess or not, I continually grab for the brass ring. It is exhausting. But the only way I can make any sense of it all is with a clear head. Does anyone remember Holly Hunter’s scene from the movie “Broadcast News?” Every morning before she heads to the newsroom, she unplugs her phone, sets her watch, focuses her thoughts, and then sobs unrelentingly for a couple of minutes. She releases every ounce of emotion balled up inside of her before she starts her day. That, my friends, is setting yourself up to grab the brass ring. The sad thing is that every time I try to do it, I find myself giggling. It was a hilarious scene. Luckily enough, laughter can work as well as tears. So, what is my moral of the day? I do not have one. I am just enamored by the joy I derive from the simplest of thoughts anymore. Life is truly a magical mystery tour, a magic carpet ride. And if you hold on tight, it is a heck of a lot of fun. And if you fall off? Ah, but that is fodder for yet another rant.
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2 Comments
Nancy S Elsworth
7/14/2021 10:45:19 pm
The Merry-Go-Round up at Indiana Beach always had the ring dispenser, and after a few years riding that thing, I got pretty adept at being lucky enough to actually grab that brass ring. Sometimes I road that sucker for hours!!
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Jacque Stratman
7/15/2021 07:44:31 am
Me too! I loved the challenge! I've actually had a couple people tell me they never knew about any ring dispensers on merry-go-rounds! Of course, they also told me that was a sissy ride! So good for us, Nancy!
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AuthorJacque Jarrett Stratman |