#liferide

Day 253 of posting the first Ian Bohen photo that Pinterest recommends.

JR Bourne and Ian Bohen attend the 10th Anniversary of Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR to Benefit HIV/AIDS research event - July 27, 2019

The experience of all college or university students transitioning into the real life may not be the same but it may be the same too. It is the phase where different people with different destinations, expectations and dreams step into the real world expecting life to take turns as they have planned. For some, this might turn out to be true while for others it can be a completely different experience than their expectation. A roller coaster ride experience to be exact, but the difference between the roller coaster ride experience in a theme park and that of the life is somewhat huge. Firstly, in a theme park one has already seen the route ride will take, the stops, the drops and the ups but in real life, one is completely unaware of any of that. Secondly, any roller coaster ride without a belt is not possible and hence, not existent in theme parks but real life ride can not only be without belts but for some, it feels that a side door does not also exist. That phase is a tricky phase in one’s life where they feel vulnerable and queasy with everything going around them. Feelings of confusion, fear and of being almost completely blank regarding their life are all experienced together. Being new to this concoction of feelings one can easily plunge into serious anxiety or depression and this is where a key role is played by those who the person is close to, family or friends. Family members are either sitting in a car that is either ahead of the person or behind hence, may not quite understand that particular phase of life. But friends, if seated on the side, may somewhat understand the dilemma of that person even though they may have a different view and experience but can easily look over to understand and comprehend their perspective. Unfortunately, for those who have the life roller coaster ride with no belts and side doors have to experience that a certain turn in their ride has dropped off their friend to a different stop far from them and they are left to complete the ride on their own. However, there are some stubborn friends that we usually call as best friends who have a backup plan for such a situation and have kept walkie-talkies to stay in touch and still be a part of the tumultuous ride of life. And it is them that one should remember in all their phases of life and be ever grateful because they are the ups of the life ride.  

Ian Bohen attends the Kiehl's national LifeRide for amfAR celebration at the NYC flagship store on August 3, 2016 in New York City.