Whether you've taken a ride on a roller coaster or watched others take the plunge, picture this: you're strapped in with the harness, heart pounding as the ride climbs the first hill. Every clink of the track amplifies your anticipation. Your stomach clenches with fear—whether it's the drop, the unexpected turns, or the rapid speed ahead. This fear is enough to keep some people as mere spectators.

But here's the reality: joy is there too. It's the memory of laughter from past rides, the excitement of challenging gravity, or the rush of adrenaline as you speed through loops. This joy is always there, quietly pulsing beneath the fear, ready to emerge.

Now, press your hands firmly against the table in front of you, as if gripping the safety bar of the coaster. Feel the tension in your hands—tight and controlled, holding on because fear is at the helm. As the coaster ascends, your grip tightens. But when you reach the top and start the descent, something changes. Speed and freedom surge through you, and suddenly, your grip loosens. Your fingers let go as joy breaks through the fear, turning hesitation into excitement.

By the second loop, your hands are up—not because the fear has vanished, but because joy has taken charge. The thrill carries you through the twists and turns, and you no longer rely on the safety bar for security. After all, once the attendant locks that safety bar in place, there's no jumping off—you’re committed to the ride, just as you are to life.

Then comes the moment of clarity—the aha moment: Fear is present, but it no longer holds you back. It becomes part of the experience, heightening your senses while joy drives you forward. The more you ride, the quicker joy takes the lead.

The same happens when you make the Chair of JOY® Experience a habit—with the four steps of Sit. Breathe. Think. Feel.™—you start to release your grip on fear. Each time you sit in your Chair of JOY®, whether it's a porch swing swaying in the breeze, a rocking chair by the fire, or a hammock stretched between two trees, you begin to realize that joy is always accessible. The roller coaster simply helped you remember this—helping you navigate life’s twists and turns with confidence, clarity, and momentum because you are now driving from a place of courage and perseverance.