I'm sure you know the saying "Life is like a roller coaster". Usually what people mean by that is that life is full of ups and downs. Which obviously implies that the "ups" are those great times when everything is going fine and life is treating you well and the "downs" are the bad times in your life when things go terribly wrong and you're depressed...
Makes sense right? WRONG!
Here is why the roller coaster analogy is more powerful and true than I ever realized before:
You get on the roller coaster for the "downs" not the "ups"! That's not trivial. Because the "downs" are where all the fun & thrill is. You made your decision to take the ride in anticipation of the thrill you're going to experience during the accelerating ride down.
It's not even a 50/50 thing. It's not like both things are part of the fun on the ride. No. The "ups" are just a means to get to the point of riding down! You get that? Let me say it again: The "ups" are part of the way down!
Alright yes - you relax and enjoy the view during the "ups". You take a deep breath. You're heart rate is slowing down again a bit. You get ready for whats about to happen next. But that's it. That's all the "ups" have to offer to you.
A roller coaster that would only go up would be basically a very large and clumsy elevator...boring as hell..going in one direction...practical & functional maybe if you need to go to a meeting in the 26th floor...but for sure no fun!
And that's what life's supposed to really be I guess - a lot of fun & a hell of a ride down! ; )