Every action counts

I learnt driving in 2004. But I could not really drive until 2007. For the three years in between, I was low on confidence, after having hit my brother's car against a pavement during a practice session. After that, every time my hands went behind the wheel, they shivered.

But there was this friend, a colleague, who always urged me to start driving again. It seemed to me that she was more confident than I was about my driving (only later I got to know that she was praying for her life when she sat beside me for the first time). One day, she said, "Fauzia you have to drive today, and I am going to sit with you and see that you don't give up in the middle". I don't know why this was so important for her...after all we were just colleagues. Anyway, that day I drove on the main road for the first time, and with her constant encouragement, I regained my confidence. It was almost like a realisation (I am writing another piece on 'realisation')...it felt like I was re-born! No I am serious! I didn't know it was that easy.

Sometimes my friends tell me I drive well (okay, forget the challans for a moment...). Everytime I hear that, I think about my friend.

We can make a big difference in peopls's lives by doing small things. Yes, every action counts...

To be or not to be...

Indecisiveness is my forte:)

The other day, I was driving at a reasonable speed, when I approached a traffic light that was green. As soon as I was about to cross it, the light turned orange. (Now in the last few months, I have developed good relations with the traffic cops. They send me a challan every month, without fail, and I go to the court to pay it, only after watching an inspiring movie on violation of traffic rules). In a split second, memories of all my past challans flashed across my mind, and I wondered whether I should cross the light or stop. It was a matter of life (no challan) and death (inspiring movie...). Finally, in the 9th millisecond, I 'decided' to put the brakes. Only, the biker behind me wasn't prepared for this. He banged hard against my car and when I looked back, I could see a face so astonished, as if wondering "You really did that??" Even though I suffered more damages than him, it was me who was feeling really sorry...

The irony is, when I see others being indecisive, it is very easy for me to help them take a decision. Some time back, a friend was going through a bad time. I went out for coffee with her one day, and listened to all the issues she was facing. It was clear to me that she did not really have any problem in life other than the fact that she was not taking a decision. I told her exactly this, and I even told her what decision she should take!:)

A few days later, I met my friend again. She said that because of my advice that day she actually took a decision and was happy about it...

Now why is it so difficult to apply that to myself??

Just a thought...

Sometimes its good to feel like a fool. It probably means that you aren't one...anymore:)