An otherwise balmy day at Universal Studios was interrupted by a drifting breeze just strong enough to have chosen pants over shorts. I grabbed my backpack which was stuffed to the brim with snacks, a camera, and a hoodie as we stepped out of the car in the parking garage decorated murals of movie characters.
I was at Universal with my ProFriction teammates, Jackie and Steve. As we made our way to through the theme park, we eventually discovered the path to Nintendo World. Allured by the thought of a Mario Kart themed ride, we made our way over.
Nintendo World, however, is guarded by 456 steps. Or, for people who don't have the profriction attitude, a really, really long escalator ride.
By the time we made it down all those steps and explored all the freely accessible areas of Nintendo World, we had forgotten about all the steps that were quietly waiting for our return. We were naively happy. Smiling, eating snacks, taking in the views. But, of course, all good things must come to an end.
We stood at the bottom of the staircase contemplating the journey ahead. If you've never been, check out this legend's video below.
No words were spoken, but we knew we weren't simply going to walk up the stairs. We knew it would be a race.
Jackie took off first. Steve followed. I wasn't far behind.
To paint the picture, imagine you're a parent at Universal with your three young kids. You're on the escalator descending into a fantastical world of adventure. Your kids are shouting and cheering. All of the sudden, you hear a guy screaming "WHO'S GUNNA CARRY THE BOATS" and a friend of his adding "THEY DON'T KNOW ME SON." Naturally curious, as you are, you peer over the railing of the escalator to see three guys in a full on sprint up four gigantic flights of steps, weaving in and out of the few other souls who chose the harder--though pleasantly less crowded--of two paths.
I was gaining on Steve as we headed up what I thought was surely, surely, the last flight of steps. As I made it to the top, exhausted, now sweating, and struggling to keep my heart inside of my chest, I looked up and noticed I had made a miscalculation. One final flight of stairs. I saw Steve and Jackie shaking their heads as they slowly began the climb. We were all fooled. It was in this moment I deeply regretted choosing to wear pants and offering to bring the backpack.
Oddly enough, however, that spontaneous challenge--sprinting up the stairs--was my favorite part of the trip to Universal. It was hilarious. It was challenging. It was a bit ridiculous. But the three of us will never forget it. We still laugh about it when one of us brings it up.
The Stoic philosopher, Seneca, once said "difficult paths lead to great destinations." I think this is largely true. However, in my experience, it is more accurate that difficult paths lead to unexpected journeys and unanticipated adventures.
So, try choosing the stairs. You never know where a path will take you.
Hate 'em or love 'em, give your thoughts on stairs, the StairMaster, or any friction you like to add to your life below.
