In 2025, during an email corespondance discussing pholisophy, Mr. Perez presented this intresting bit of information.

I have always found Mr. Perez to be an insiteful and deep thinking individule. I greatly appriciate him alowing me ot share this publicly.

~ Andrew Pilch

Roller Coasters and the Price of Admission

By Tony Perez

Whether the ride is worth the price of admission I think comes down to the expectations of the outcome, and these expectations are formed by our beliefs and values, our courage and conviction.

• Beliefs act as the map we use to navigate the world. If we believe life should be easy, any turbulence will feel like a betrayal, making the "price" seem too high. If we believe life is a necessary series of challenges for growth, the turbulence becomes an anticipated feature, not a bug.

• Values define what we are seeking. If we value Security, we expect a smooth ride, and the bumps are stressful. If we value Adventure or Self-Actualization, we expect difficulty, and those moments become the most rewarding part of the experience.

• Courage is the willingness to pay the "price of admission"—to step onto the coaster, knowing there will be drops and loops. It allows us to hold onto our expectations even when the immediate reality is painful.

• Conviction is the internal certainty that the ride is leading somewhere meaningful. It stabilizes our expectations against external criticism or doubt. It ensures we don't jump off prematurely.

The ability to choose a response is what sets us humans apart from the animals in the jungle, and again reflects our visions and values This aligns closely with the principles of Existentialism and Logotherapy (by Viktor Frankl).

Existentialism reframed through Logotherapy by Viktor Frankl declares, existence is meaningful only through discovering and fulfilling personal meaning, even in suffering. Freedom is the space between stimulus and response where one chooses attitude and purpose.

The Space Between Stimulus and Response:

• Frankl famously taught that "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

• Animals operate primarily on instinct and programmed reactions (stimulus - reaction). Humans have the ability to interpose a moment of deliberation (stimulus- vision/value and check-response). This brief, powerful pause is where meaning is created.

Vision and Values as the Compass:

• Vision is our ultimate destination or ideal self. When faced with a challenging event (a "stimulus"), we don't just react to the immediate feeling; we check our vision: "Does my response move me closer to the person I want to be?"

• Values act as the decision criteria. For instance, if you value Patience, your chosen response to frustration will be different than if you value Immediate Expression.