People have always called me a “dreamer”. I think of myself more as a “chaser”. Dreaming involves thought but no action, chasing involves both. I never leave a dream on my pillow.

My friend took me on a roller coaster ride one time in Jersey City. I hate fair rides. They freak me out. As soon as I had nervously taken my seat, the lever was pulled and the ride had begun. As the wheels began to creak, and our speed increase, I began to worry about my seatbelt. I was hoping that I fastened it correctly at the start. I held onto the seatbelt with white knuckles and stared down at the buckle while we twisted and turned on the rails for three fierce minutes. The ride finally came to a stop. It took me about three minutes to unfasten my seatbelt, in fact I had to call for assistance from the coaster’s operator. I walked out of the gate and saw my friend smiling from ear to ear. She looked at me and said very excitedly, “Wasn’t that amazing! Did you see the view from the very tip-top? It was Incredible!”. I explained to her how I had missed the whole ride because I was too worried about my seatbelt coming loose. She didn’t laugh, instead she looked saddened or offended by my seatbelt dilemma. She grabbed my hand and we jumped back in line to take the ride again.

I learned…

If life is a roller-coaster ride I don’t want to get caught watching my buckle. Because when you attend the carnival of life you only get one ticket, good for one ride.

Chime topped chimneys
And watchtower bells
Ocean sick sailors
Blow deep in their shells
The rattle rings out
Like a soaked spun linen
A battle in the end
Forgets it’s beginnin’

Swing hammers, pull strings, hit heads
In glamourful things there’s reds

Don’t you dare fear crimson
For it’s the only common color
Life never fears death
They’ve never known one another
The drift blows a melody
Destined by design
To chase you from far below
Or sometimes right behind

Swing hammers, pull strings, hit heads
In glamourful things there’s reds

Now my box is occupied
By me and only mine
Stone lay above my useless eyes
For now it’s me that rings the chime
The next harmony you hear
May you take it like a breath
You need it so breathe it
And let it in your chest

Swing hammers, pull strings, hit heads
In glamourful things there’s reds

Many make an impact
Few can make it felt