--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life is a roller coaster of highs, lows…" description: "\"“Life is a roller coaster of highs, lows, hard lefts, hard rights, and even some loop-de-loops. But, know this participation is mandatory as your legac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/donavan-nelson-butler-master-s_goals-quotes_life-is-a-roller-coaster-of-highs-lows-h_910529.jpg" --- # Life is a roller coaster of highs, lows, hard lefts, hard… ![“Life is a roller coaster of highs, lows, hard lefts, hard rights, and even some loop-de-loops. But, know this participation is mandatory as your legacy is the accumulation of what you gave back not what you took out.” quote by Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/donavan-nelson-butler-master-s_goals-quotes_life-is-a-roller-coaster-of-highs-lows-h_910529.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/donavan-nelson-butler-master-s_goals-quotes_life-is-a-roller-coaster-of-highs-lows-h_910529.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/donavan-nelson-butler-master-s_goals-quotes_life-is-a-roller-coaster-of-highs-lows-h_910529.jpg) > ““Life is a roller coaster of highs, lows, hard lefts, hard rights, and even some loop-de-loops. But, know this participation is mandatory as your legacy is the accumulation of what you gave back not what you took out.”” [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life’s ups and downs are inevitable; your legacy is built on what you give, not what you take. **In simple terms:** Give more, take less, to shape your legacy. Key Takeaway Focus on contributions and resilience. Themes legacy resilience service Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - mentorship - career challenges - family responsibilities Key Concepts ethics personal growth community impact Questions to Reflect On - What can you give back today? - How do you measure the value of your contributions? A Different Perspective May overlook personal boundaries or self‑care needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goals quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-quotes/) [Hard Lefts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-lefts-1331066/) [Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy/) [Legacy Accumulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy-accumulation-1331063/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mandatory Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandatory-legacy-1331062/) [Military-quote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-quote/) [Participation Mandatory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participation-mandatory-1331064/) [Pay it forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay-it-forward/) [Rights Loop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-loop-1331065/) [Roller coaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roller-coaster/) [Visions-in-life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visions-in-life/) ## Related quotes > [“The future you build for yourself is only as limited as your imagination and a undisciplined goal orientated mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/the-future-you-build-for-yourself-is-only-as-limited-as-your/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“Always keep believing, hoping, seeking, working, helping, forgiving, understanding and loving and your life will be meaningful. But don’t forget to be always vigilant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-robin/always-keep-believing-hoping-seeking-working-helping-forgiving/) [Lord Robin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-robin/) > [“When you eyes is fixed on the prize or reward. It gives you hope to stay focus until the vision is fulfilled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/when-you-eyes-is-fixed-on-the-prize-or-reward-it-gives-you-hope-to/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Keep dreaming, dreams have no limit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/keep-dreaming-dreams-have-no-limit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The vision is for an appointed time.You must be patient and wait for the fulfillment of your vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vision-is-for-an-appointed-time-you-must-be-patient-and-wait-for/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“We will never realize the vision in division”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saji-ijiyemi/we-will-never-realize-the-vision-in-division/) [Saji Ijiyemi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saji-ijiyemi/) > [“Success needs vision to see, passion to transcend, patience to withstand and the character to overcome failures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/success-needs-vision-to-see-passion-to-transcend-patience-to/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [“Speak Life: You are loved. You have purpose. You are a masterpiece. You are wonderfully made. God has a great plan for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/speak-life-you-are-loved-you-have-purpose-you-are-a-masterpiece-you/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“Live your life striving to complete the journey to your vision; don't spend your life dreaming about a vision who's journey you are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/live-your-life-striving-to-complete-the-journey-to-your-vision-don-t-2/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“That spark you felt ignite inside you, that split-second vision that you had of yourself bright like the Sun -- believe that! Believe that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/that-spark-you-felt-ignite-inside-you-that-split-second-vision-that/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [“Keep the faith. The vision is always for the appointed time. Be patient, prayerful and wait for the fulfillment of your visions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/keep-the-faith-the-vision-is-always-for-the-appointed-time-be-patient/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“When the vision is clear, the results will appear. Keep your mindset positive as you work your plan, flourish, and always remember why you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/when-the-vision-is-clear-the-results-will-appear-keep-your-mindset/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“The tower of success stands on the pillars of vision, action, patience and the character to withstand criticisms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/the-tower-of-success-stands-on-the-pillars-of-vision-action-patience/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [“I can see clearly my visions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/i-can-see-clearly-my-visions/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“You are never late in the pursuit of the dreams. Once you recognised your dreams and visions. You must reach out passionately to fulfill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-never-late-in-the-pursuit-of-the-dreams-once-you-recognised/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) ## More by Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army > [“Let's make a deal, if you don't blame me for your failures I won't take credit for your successes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/let-s-make-a-deal-if-you-don-t-blame-me-for-your-failures-i-won-t/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“In leadership that 20/20 vision sometimes becomes 20/40 or 30/50 depending on how close you are to the situation. To my AG Warrior I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/in-leadership-that-20-20-vision-sometimes-becomes-20-40-or-30-50/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“The greatest risk most of us will take in our lifetime is that of repression or denial of basic rights of another person. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/the-greatest-risk-most-of-us-will-take-in-our-lifetime-is-that-of/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“A leader who allows their subordinates to suffer as proof of who is the boss likely quenches their thirst with salt water from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/a-leader-who-allows-their-subordinates-to-suffer-as-proof-of-who-is/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“What do I and a diamond have in common? We are tough, brilliant, and carbon based entities which evolved into something better under immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/what-do-i-and-a-diamond-have-in-common-we-are-tough-brilliant-and/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“It’s always amazing, when I think about this exact time every year. My goals seemed so lofty and far away. Today, I see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/it-s-always-amazing-when-i-think-about-this-exact-time-every-year-my/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“Life Algebra 101 - I truly value my own ignorance of what is to come for me, It is those unknown variables the shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/life-algebra-101-i-truly-value-my-own-ignorance-of-what-is-to-come/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“When you realize you've evolved from the mentored to the Mentor it gives much more to the meaning and lessons learned in life as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/when-you-realize-you-ve-evolved-from-the-mentored-to-the-mentor-it/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“Where your soul meets your purpose is the azimuth known as your passion and from there you can plot points of inspiration and achievable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/where-your-soul-meets-your-purpose-is-the-azimuth-known-as-your/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“During my road trip of life I have encountered many potholes, areas under construction, delays caused by others on the same road, and 18…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/during-my-road-trip-of-life-i-have-encountered-many-potholes-areas/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“The day my NCO support channel abandoned me like a unwanted child at a Fire Station to a toxic commander was the same day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/the-day-my-nco-support-channel-abandoned-me-like-a-unwanted-child-at/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“The death of unit morale is always precipitated by the neglect of a Soldiers and families health and welfare.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/the-death-of-unit-morale-is-always-precipitated-by-the-neglect-of-a/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“A leader is skating up hill on a slippery slope when Servant Leadership is not part of a leaders philosophy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/a-leader-is-skating-up-hill-on-a-slippery-slope-when-servant/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“There are circumstances which can only be created and remedied in a crucible of fury, fire, and destruction like the serotinous cones of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/there-are-circumstances-which-can-only-be-created-and-remedied-in-a/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) > [“If you haven't learned to love yourself you are in reality living a lie proclaiming to be in love with someone else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/if-you-haven-t-learned-to-love-yourself-you-are-in-reality-living-a/) [Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) [Explore all 64 Donavan Nelson Butler, Master Sergeant US Army quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donavan-nelson-butler-master-sergeant-us-army/) ## More Goals quotes quotes > [“The only day you should never write and achieve your goals is when the day ends with the letter y.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/onyi-anyado/the-only-day-you-should-never-write-and-achieve-your-goals-is-when/) [Onyi Anyado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/onyi-anyado/) > [“Without a clear end goal any outcome will suffice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/without-a-clear-end-goal-any-outcome-will-suffice/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [“Giving up on the journey means giving up on your goals and dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-gunzburg/giving-up-on-the-journey-means-giving-up-on-your-goals-and-dreams/) [Ari Gunzburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-gunzburg/) > [“Chase your dreams confidently. Pursue your aspirations positively. Execute your goals expectantly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/chase-your-dreams-confidently-pursue-your-aspirations-positively/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [“Achievement is a cotton candy meal that you think will make you full.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxie-mccoy/achievement-is-a-cotton-candy-meal-that-you-think-will-make-you-full/) [Maxie McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxie-mccoy/) > [“The greater the obstacles between you and your goal, the greater the value of reaching your goal will be!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/the-greater-the-obstacles-between-you-and-your-goal-the-greater-the/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Why settle for a lesser vision? When you are destiny for greatness!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/why-settle-for-a-lesser-vision-when-you-are-destiny-for-greatness/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Take the challenge of your life. Reach out to your goals. There is no limit to what you can achieve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/take-the-challenge-of-your-life-reach-out-to-your-goals-there-is-no/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“I am running and running, God knows where; God knows why?' 'Aren’t we all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhaidev/i-am-running-and-running-god-knows-where-god-knows-why-aren-t-we-all/) [Abhaidev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhaidev/) > [As long as you act rite, live rite, and do rite it'll only be rite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ctate/as-long-as-you-act-rite-live-rite-and-do-rite-it-ll-only-be-rite/) [CTate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ctate/) > [“The goal is to move the thinking that we do every day to the feeling that we often ignore and don't pay attention to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ha-campbell/the-goal-is-to-move-the-thinking-that-we-do-every-day-to-the-feeling/) [Kim Ha Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ha-campbell/) > [“The five qualities of a good goal; It has to ambitious, achievable, accurate and specified, measurable, leads to the feeling of life quality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-abdullah-alnaymi/the-five-qualities-of-a-good-goal-it-has-to-ambitious-achievable/) [Maryam Abdullah Alnaymi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-abdullah-alnaymi/) > [“Planning and perseverance will bring your mission to fruition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liano/planning-and-perseverance-will-bring-your-mission-to-fruition/) [Rob Liano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liano/) > [“When racing toward your goal, wear blinders. That’s what winning horses do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sotero-m-lopez-ii/when-racing-toward-your-goal-wear-blinders-that-s-what-winning-horses/) [Sotero M Lopez II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sotero-m-lopez-ii/) > [“Goals and timing of realization defers, yours might require much time to achieve than someone else's. fine! Do not stumble, become afraid and relentless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jovita-efehi-obadolagbonyi/goals-and-timing-of-realization-defers-yours-might-require-much-time/) [jovita efehi obadolagbonyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jovita-efehi-obadolagbonyi/) [Browse all 61 Goals quotes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-quotes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Life is a roller coaster of highs, lows, hard lefts, hard rights, and even some loop-de-loops. 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