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Right now in this corner of the world, students have gone back to school. And a popular first week of school assignment is to write an essay on your summer vacation. Popular titles include ‘What I did on my Summer Vacation’ or ‘What I Learned on Summer Vacation’.

In keeping with that concept, this week I offer you ‘Visit a Theme Park, Learn about Life.’  I personally did the research for this item, with not just one – but three separate theme park visits this summer to make sure I had the full experience. Please feel free to contribute your lessons too!

When it is hot, find shade and deal with it. Don’t let others see you sweat, if they do – act natural.
Assume they are sweating too.

Be patient, sometimes you have to wait in line. Which leads to, know what you want, and is this worth the wait or not? If it is worth the wait, no whining. If not, do something else with your time.

Other people can be jerks. Or maybe they just have different values and different ideas of right and wrong. Are you going to let this ruin your day?

Be flexible. Sometimes rides are not available or you can’t find the cotton candy. You have so many fantastic choices, why worry about what is not available? Focus on the great things you are able to enjoy.

Take a break. Don’t try to do too much at once.

Be brave, take risks. Try something new. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again.

If it made you feel like puking the first time, what do you think will happen the second time?

When it is time to quit it is time to quit. Leave while you are still smiling and you can walk out under your own power.

Comments (1)

	1. 09-10-2009 14:29
	Your column on theme parks reminds me of one of my favorite scenes in the movie “Fatherhood”. The main character, played by Steve Martin, is having difficulty coping with all the challenges at work and at home. He feels like he riding on an out-of-control roller coaster. But Helen Shaw, who plays the grandmother in the film, offers this take: “I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it. I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together.”     Another life lesson to be learned at the theme park. Registered

Mel Duvall

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