Today while driving, my car developed a snag. The brakes failed, like in the movies. To say I was terrified would be an understatement! My heart skipped a dozen beats; I must have taken the Lord’s name a hundred times. I did all of these but my 100% focus was on getting back home in one piece, without killing anyone, hitting another car or damaging my car further. For the first time I flouted traffic rules, going past red signal, driving at 20 knowing pretty well I am expected to stop but feeling glad all the same that there wasn't a car before me for I was sure I’d have had to ram into it! I kept going. I don't know how I would have stopped if a policeman had ordered me to. I’d have probably had to give him a ride on my bonnet!
For the first time I wished for consideration from others while driving. Do I have the same, I didn’t want to wonder at that time. Do people crossing the road randomly know my brakes could have failed? Do the bikers who keep dancing to show off their biking prowess know I could have run them down? Do the cyclists who find every gap to edge through know I couldn't have braked? Do other motorists who are honking furiously behind me because I am driving at 20 understand why I am driving so slowly? Does one have to send out a distress signal in neon for others to know? Like an ambulance? If only people treated every car like an ambulance! Too much to expect and yes at such a time one does think in extremes! Yes I managed to park safely and I am fine but not before my heart had jumped out at least ten times! Only when you are at a position of disadvantage do you look around and beseech for that one factor which you yourself probably never gave a second thought to otherwise! Lessons gleaned!
With this, I went off on another trajectory later. In life too, others will never know the difficulties or extreme stress you are under. No one will care to look into your fear dilated eyes, the dark circles under them, the tremor in your hands, the unsteadiness in your gait, or the worry-ridden, anxiety-laden heart beating away. They will look at you with your coolers inside your car or you peeking out of the balcony of your castle and say –Oh! Look at her! She hasn’t a worry in the world. Outward appearances of perfection can fool one into thinking one’s own life is challenged. Only the wearer knows where the shoe bites.
Perhaps we need to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and be kind and considerate irrespective of what we know or don’t know about others. God knows I wished for it with all my heart today!
For the first time I wished for consideration from others while driving. Do I have the same, I didn’t want to wonder at that time. Do people crossing the road randomly know my brakes could have failed? Do the bikers who keep dancing to show off their biking prowess know I could have run them down? Do the cyclists who find every gap to edge through know I couldn't have braked? Do other motorists who are honking furiously behind me because I am driving at 20 understand why I am driving so slowly? Does one have to send out a distress signal in neon for others to know? Like an ambulance? If only people treated every car like an ambulance! Too much to expect and yes at such a time one does think in extremes! Yes I managed to park safely and I am fine but not before my heart had jumped out at least ten times! Only when you are at a position of disadvantage do you look around and beseech for that one factor which you yourself probably never gave a second thought to otherwise! Lessons gleaned!
With this, I went off on another trajectory later. In life too, others will never know the difficulties or extreme stress you are under. No one will care to look into your fear dilated eyes, the dark circles under them, the tremor in your hands, the unsteadiness in your gait, or the worry-ridden, anxiety-laden heart beating away. They will look at you with your coolers inside your car or you peeking out of the balcony of your castle and say –Oh! Look at her! She hasn’t a worry in the world. Outward appearances of perfection can fool one into thinking one’s own life is challenged. Only the wearer knows where the shoe bites.
Perhaps we need to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and be kind and considerate irrespective of what we know or don’t know about others. God knows I wished for it with all my heart today!
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