Personal Narrative: A Reminiscing Ride

A Reminiscing Ride
Roller coasters epitomized all I feared. Automated cars that took control of your life for some time in exchange for "excitement". Despite my fear of roller coasters, my friends pressured me into getting on California Screamin’ simply reasoning that we wouldn’t always visit Disneyland. “God, forgive my sins,” I thought as we climbed onto the coaster.
I’m not much of a hugger, but I sturdily embraced the safety bar. At the first drop in the coaster, I fell back into a dark, repressed memory. I was prepping for an upcoming Ultimate Frisbee match with my friends, Eh and Bee, in the third grade. We decided to practice on a soft, grassy area next to a pool. Just as Eh left to take a drink of water, Bee accidentally shot the Frisbee into the pool. It landed near the edge of the deep end. As I reached for it, I felt a sudden push on my back and fell head first into the pool. Eight feet deep. Twice my height. And I didn’t know how to swim.
Drifting down to the bottom of the pool, I tried to gasp for air. The light quickly faded to pitch black. All I recall next was bright, yellow sunlight in my eyes and a heavy pounding on my chest. As I spit out water, I saw Eh. He just saved my life.
While Eh wrapped a towel around me, I looked for Bee, who was nowhere to be found. I felt betrayed. I just thought, “Why would he do it?” I
never played with Bee again, even though I didn’t blame him. I took full responsibility. It was my fault I couldn’t swim. My parents had never learned in India and saw no reason to teach me. But after that incident, I was afraid of the water. The pool embodied fear of injury and death. Out of caution, I never played that Frisbee game again. Seeking safety, I receded to the solace of my bedroom and read adventure books to experience action vicariously instead. There was no risk.
Back on the coaster, all my friends were still next to me. While I could barely manage to keep my eyes open, they threw their hands loose and screamed with euphoria. “If they could do it, couldn’t I?” I assured myself. Closing my eyes, I focused on the wind. It pressed against my face — a cool breeze. It took me back to the summer after the incident.
My friends swam daily. I could only watch. There were even toddlers splashing around on their floats. Flabbergasted and overcome with humiliation, I decided to conquer my fear. Dreading water was ruining my social life and diminishing my self-worth. I took this as a call to action and insisted that my parents enroll me in a swimming class. Within a month, I finished all eight levels and overcame the memory of ever drowning.
The rest of the ride went by in a flash. As the ride ended, my friends burst into cheers and swarmed around me, congratulating me. And I had done it! I rode a roller coaster. And I hadn’t died.
Riding that coaster resuscitated my self-confidence.
Although overcoming my fear of swimming required courage and humility, triumphing over roller coasters merely required encouragement from my friends. Knowing that I could conquer my fears and combat my weaknesses, my anxiety was rebuffed. Fear to set inherent restrictions on my success. Identifying faults to break through those barriers, I eliminated each weakness. Swimming and roller coasters were hurdles in my path, but I leaped over the barriers. And as I continue to better myself, I strive to surpass the goals I set for myself, achieving success and emotional
maturity.
Both these experiences console me in times of stress and inspire me to improve. Swimming and riding roller coasters used to be temples for terror. Now they are chapels of motivation. And life is only terrifying if I allow it to be. Thank God. The LAM Research Core Values that I strive for in my daily life and exemplified by my personal essay are:
Achievement
Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Mutual Trust and Respect
Ownership and Accountability