Think going to Cedar Point is only about fun? After all Cedar Point, located in Sandusky, Ohio, has been voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” for a record 15 consecutive years.I spent this past weekend at the Roller Coaster Capital attending Bloggy Con to learn more about blogging.
I never expected to get a life lesson on top of the fun and education.
On Sunday morning, a small group of us ventured out just before sunrise for a photography tour of the park. (All these photos are from that morning)
Our tour guide was Cedar Point’s marketing manager, Bryan Edwards. He held the key to get us into the locked gate to enter the empty park and shared stories about the park.
Bryan also gave us a key to living. He said,
“Here at Cedar Point, we value the past, look forward to the future
while enjoying the present.”
I know too often I have struggled to stay in the present. I live in either/or living.
On some days, my entire heart exists in thinking about what has already happened – the past’s burdens directing today’s emotions. My heart sits silent like a dark quiet Ferris wheel that should be turning, creating, spinning with the joys of life instead of digging up skeletons from the past.
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| Front Entrance for Cedar |
Other days I dwell in the distant land of the future dreaming when the gates will open so I can enter in. Lots of waiting, not much action. Silence.
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| GateKeeper |
I rarely live mindfully in the present, savoring the gift from God of life. Pausing to enjoy the sunrise each morning before the rush of day descends upon my heart.
Cedar Point helped me let go of the either/or living.
Why not embrace wholeheartedly all three segments?
The past with its rich lessons that formed me as a person
The present holding joys and wonders
The future brimming with hope and dreams
Bryan said, “Here at Cedar Point, we value the past, look forward to the future while enjoying the present.”
Good advice. Wholehearted living for the roller coaster of life.
What has helped you to embrace the past, look forward to the future while living mindfully in the present?
Thanks Katy and yes it was great meeting you too
Beautiful post, Jean! It was lovely meeting you at the conference!
That photo walk was so much fun. I think I took 50 plus photos that morning. When he said what he did I knew right away that would be my blog post. good words to ponder! Thanks for stopping by
These photos are incredible! They really made me think. Your words are powerful and I too feel like that Ferris wheel at times.
I think I need constant reminder to live in the present but this was one of the first times I felt really comfortable with living in all three tenses. Not more either/or but all ‘and” Love your rainbow story. There is something to the physical act of looking up that grounds us.
I know as soon as I heard that quote I had to write about it. Made me think. Sure glad we met up there tool
That is a great motto. I found Cedar Point’s museum in the park to be fascinating! I spent more time there than on the roller coasters. Your pictures are beautiful and now I’m kicking myself for choosing sleep over the picture walk. 🙂
Beautiful photos, Jean! Sometimes living in the present is something I need frequent reminders of. The Lord is faithful to put little nuggets of reminders, like your blog, to remind me that there is much to be enjoyed and many beautiful surprises waiting in today.
Once I was at work with a schedule fuller than was going to get accomplished and I ran out the door with my mind trying to work out the efficiency of the next few tasks. I ran right past a couple in the parking lot, who were gazing up in awe. It took a couple seconds for me to process what I had seen out the corner of my eye and stopped to see what the were looking at. A vibrant full arch rainbow was overhead that was so beautiful it took my breath away. How on earth had I not seen it? It was more than beautiful, it was permission to slow down and stop running past the pleasure life holds.
Happy Thursday to you too Ceil! I learned so much at that conference. Now to implement some of it. When I heard him say those words it really hit me. I know there were ones to keep, ponder and write about. Wholehearted living would be a great title for something.
My hubby also remembers Cedar Point from its earlier days. He came with me on this tour and there was lots of memories. Fun to see the then and now
When he said those words, it just knew I had to remember, ponder and then write about them. such a good reminder. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Jean! I hope you had a great experience at your Blog meetings. Love how you can find a lesson in everything you do. And then we benefit from it. Win/win!
‘Wholehearted Living’. That needs to be on a magnet, or something. Great wisdom to live a balanced, love-in-the-Lord life.
Happy Thursday…all of it!
Ceil
Thanks for sharing Bryan’s advice. That sure is a great way to look at life which I don’t do often enough. I am especially bad at celebrating the joys and wonders of the present.