“Roller coasters are driven almost entirely by basic inertial, gravitational and centripetal forces=, all manipulated in the service of a great ride.”
https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/roller-coaster.htm
Hang on! It’s going to be a great ride!
My family helped me to choose this year’s word(s) over New Year’s Day dinner. I liked the idea of surrendering to the ups and downs of what life brings to me. (For the record the other words chosen by my family were: ADVENTURE, PROACTIVE, CALM, AND INTEGRITY.)
We spent some time discussing whether ROLLER COASTER should be disqualified because it’s two words instead of one, but I’m rolling with it because it’s a single concept, so I think it counts.
I’m on the 2023 roller coaster. Wheels clank against the rails as we climb up, up up. I can’t wait to see what’s on the other side of the crest of the track.
I’ll do my best to throw up my arms, shriek, and enjoy the ride.
Somerton Smith 
Judging from the last 2 1/2 years, you have chosen the perfect word. But knowing you, you’ll adapt to the ups and downs, peaks and valleys.
Happy New Year, Arlene!
Yes, that was part of the reasoning behind my choice. Life has been a roller coaster, so I might as well sign on to be mindful of the ride! Happy New Year!
It reminds me of John Updike’s “Life is a roller coaster, you have your ups and downs unless you fall off.” Here’s to staying on!
Ohh yes, I for sure want to stay on! I’ll trust the engineers of life to keep me there. Happy New Year!
Oh! “Life Engineer”! What a fantastic title/job! In-line with Imagineer?
Not a fan of rollercoasters. I get queasy thinking about them, but if this resonates with you then I’m all it. I am more of a merry-go-round person now that I think on it. Much less exciting…
Haha! I know you didn’t pick a word for the year, so I appreciate your support. Oddly, I’m okay with a roller coaster, but a merry-go-round makes me queasy. I think it’s the round-and-round and up-and-down happening at the same time. With a roller coaster there’s more forward momentum. Or something like that. Anyway, it’s interesting to see that most people react to my word with alarm. They’re wondering why I’m inviting that kind of chaos into my year. Just shakin’ things up a little!
At the moment, we’re in the midst of a very wet and windy storm and hoping to avoid a power outage. So we’re feeling down laced with much anxiety while being physically downwind. Just have to ride it out, much like a coaster. At least we’re not screaming.
I feel your anxiety. Where I live we had 30 cms. of snow. I just had to dig out my car buried in a big heap. It was a lot of work and a definite downer. But the snow sure is pretty too – now that I’m done moving it! Hang in there, and my the power be with you.