A rollercoaster can be fun 

as long as it’s not an emotional one.  

It happens all the time. We’re in the midst of one thought, when a very different one pops in. As it elbows its way to center stage, feelings absent mere seconds ago cascade in as well. In a flash, the new feelings—perhaps happiness, perhaps anxiety or sadness—expand and drive earlier feelings aside.

Riding this emotional rollercoaster, we finally remember that our feelings are transient. And, despite their insistence otherwise, they are actually not real. After all, the feelings weren’t even here a minute ago! Now we’re deliriously happy, or ridden with anxiety, or overwhelmed by sadness.

We need to summon up better thoughts—those of awareness, understanding, and control—and unplug the rollercoaster.

What will we discover? A sense of peace and confidence, knowing that while we can take part in and appreciate life, we need not be overwhelmed by uncontrollable feelings. We thus avoid that exhausting rollercoaster and, instead, glide contentedly through life.