This Amusement Park Called Military Life
I have heard this military life called a roller coaster, but what about the other amusement park rides? This summer, many of you are boarding the PCS roller coaster with me and my frequent park buddy Tara.
I’ll let you in on a little secret: I don’t particularly like roller coasters. Not the real ones, anyway. I understand the analogy. The point being that this life isn’t boring; excitement is bountiful in the transitions from the really high highs contrasting with the really low lows.
But, I equate roller coasters with hyperventilating and topsy-turvy tummy. Not a fun time.
We both know, though, that there are other rides in an amusement park.
Roller coasters get all the attention. But what about the tamer rides with shorter lines and more relaxed height restrictions? — TLC’s How Stuff Works
Yes, what about those?!
When you don’t want to ride the roller coaster, consider some of my other favorites:
The Scrambler
To me the scrambler is akin to the roller coaster except it doesn’t have ups and downs. This one makes you feel like you don’t know which way you’re going (Sound familiar?). Scramblers are usually fast, so if it’s bad, at least it’s a fast bad. Also, it differs from the roller coaster in the fact that there is no front or back. Everyone is in the same position so to speak. When military life is coming at me fast and there’s that illusion of a collision ahead, I like to know that there’s someone right next to me who will hold my hand and share a similar perspective.
Bumper Cars
Sometimes you just have to put the pedal down and dodge things you don’t want happening to you, or the opposite—ram right into them. Bumper cars are good for that. I like them for their controlled chaos. This ride is similar to a spouses’ night out in military life. While you have safety in numbers, you mix a fun activity with some hair-lettin’-down juice and go to town. I think both are good for taking the edge off and helping me to lighten up and laugh a little.
Ferris Wheels
When I’ve had enough thrills for a while and need a break in my day trip to the park, I head to the ferris wheel. Some people mistake this ride as boring and not worth it, but it’s my second favorite. Why? For starters, I can bring my whole family along to share a gondola. We have seen many breathtaking views from a ferris wheel. I’ve also stolen a few sweet romantic moments high above a park or city below. It reminds me of some four-day weekend road trips or well-deserved leave. These are my quiet times where I center myself and survey all the opportunity military life has to offer.
It’s a Small World
This Disney ride isn’t one you’ll find at every amusement park, but I know many who have made the pilgrimage and stood in long, long lines just to say they had the experience. This ride gets my blue ribbon, more for the metaphor and truism: It’s a Small World. In military life, I love bumping into someone who knows someone I know or has been to places I have been. It’s an instant connection that might not always pan out but offers you a glimmer of hope when you might need it most.
Even if you have not been to Disney, you probably know the “It’s A Small World” chorus: “It’s a small, small, small, small world.”
In the midst of military life, I think that “small world” experience, while we’re doing big, bold, exciting, all-over-the-world things, is priceless. I know a lot of people who are just waiting for it to happen to them, so they can sing along.
Do you agree? What’s your favorite amusement park ride, and how can it help you change your perspective on military life?
