Being “Over the Hill.”

Last week, my friend and partner in the battle to end ageism, @Jeanette Leardi, reminded me of the phrase, “over the hill.”

As is often the case, it got me to thinking:

What does “over the hill” really mean? And why has it been used as a pejorative for generations?

I would argue the opposite is true. That being “over the hill” is actually a good thing.

Many people liken Life to a roller coaster ride—full of ups-and-downs and twists-and-turns. Some planned. Some unexpected.

If you think about a roller coaster, though, it’s not until you go “over the hill” that the ride gets exciting.

The truth is the journey up the hill is slower and more arduous. You even hear the wheels working harder and harder as the ride ferries you to the top—so much so that at times, you’re left wondering if you’re every going to get there at all.

Most of the time, when you finally do reach the apex, you can’t see what’s going to happen next. You have no idea whether the ride will take you on a death-defying drop, veer left or right, or all of the above.

Some riders will grip the safety bar out of fear, while others will raise their arms over their heads and scream with delight.

But none of that happens until you get OVER. THE. HILL.

The thing is people who haven’t yet ridden the ride can’t imagine what being “over the hill” feels like.

Sometimes it’s scary. Sometimes it’s dizzying. Sometimes it makes your stomach drop while it propels your heart up into your throat.

But it can also be thrilling. Exhilarating. Life-affirming.

And, of course, it moves very, very, F-A-S-T.

Just like Life.

True, the first half—or even two-thirds—can sometime feel like it moves at a snail’s pace.

Then, once you get “over the hill”? ZOOM!!!

So the next time someone hits you with some of that, “You’re ‘over the hill,’” nonsense, feel free to remind them:

People don’t ride the roller coaster to get up to the top—they ride the roller coaster because of what happens once they’re OVER THE HILL.