Life is like a rollercoaster, well the emotions we feel are like riding a rollercoaster. Each year netlogx challenges us with a wellness challenge, this year the challenge is “Positivity”, we are challenged to do something positive for ourselves or for others or our community. My positive challenge was to ride the emotional rollercoaster by doing something out of my comfort zone. 

Normally on Labor Day weekend we have our annual family reunion, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic, so, my husband planned a trip for us to visit Pittsburgh. This happens to be where his favorite football team plays, the Pittsburg Steelers.

One of the things he wanted to do was to ride the Duquesne Incline trolley. This is a trolley that goes up a steep hill climbing about 400 feet at a 30.5-degree angle. With me being scared of heights it took some convincing from him, but I eventually said yes. I dreaded this ride but also wanted to overcome my fear. 

a landscape image

On our way to the place, I was still trying to think of a way to get out of it. We were the first ones there, so we did not have to deal with a packed trolley car. As I got on the trolley my fear went to a high gear, looking at the steep climb made me nervous. As the trolley started going up the hill, it was shaky, so I held on to my husband tightly with my eyes closed and praying.

The emotions I felt were like riding a rollercoaster, I had butterflies in my stomach and fear all at the same time. I was the first one to get off the trolley once it reached the top. After walking and looking at the view from the top my fear left. I was about to take some beautiful pictures of the view. 

Even though my emotions were like a rollercoaster when I first got on the trolley and as it was climbing up the hill, going down the hill I was much calmer. I was able to enjoy the view from the trolley as it was going down the hill. I am glad that my husband insisted that we ride this trolley, this was an experience that I enjoyed, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone.