There is something quite thrilling about first times, right? The first rain of the season, first time falling in love, that first trip overseas, the first job, first house, first child, a first of everything positive.

And life takes you on a roller coaster. As the ride lifts you up with all the firsts, there is anticipation for something even better to unfold. Expectations are at their peak when you sit on that roller coaster at its highest point, legs suspended in air, your heart fluttering in anticipation of thrill and your mind numb with excitement for those couple of seconds before the huge, high speed descent. All you do however, is take that leap of faith. And as the ride brings you down, your heart jumps out from your mouth, experiencing the thrill of a lifetime.

But soon, the ride slows down, fun fades and eventually the joyride comes to a stop. The time when all fun comes to an end. The time when you wish the ride never ended and the thrill continued. The time when you feel a bit low but carry on with life, nevertheless. Firsts are always something we look forward to. But have you ever considered the firsts that follow the end of a roller coaster?

Leaving all metaphors aside, sometimes life gives you lemons. You may get robbed of success, love, friendships and everything you thought was the very essence of life. What do you choose to do then? Give in to the flow and feel low? Or treat this as a new first time? Treat it as the beginning of another thrilling roller coaster ride? It may start slow, and you may take time to build the strength to pull yourself up, but it is one where you have learned the meaning of highs and lows. And understood that just like the roller coaster ride, life is a series of highs and lows. It is a game.

So coming back to firsts, I am excited to try seeing life with a new lens after every failure.

I am thrilled to start afresh after I have been ambushed.

I feel empowered to go on when nothing goes my way.

I am motivated to focus on the good in my life when things don’t go my way.

I am ready to try a first at creating a new world on the blank canvas that I hold today. Like it has all begun today, right now. And let go all that hasn’t served me so far.

P.S. It is always the camera lens that decides on the clarity of the picture taken. If the lens is powerful, the picture can speak a million words. I would like to wear that lens to zoom in on the great parts of life. And this is the first I am most keen to try! How about you?