Driven

When my parents were my current age, I thought they were ancient. I certainly don’t feel as old as I thought they were, although my knee can tell rain’s a comin’. It is a lot less common for me to experience things for the first time. My firsts have slowed so much that I have to pay special attention to notice them.

I am teaching someone how to drive for the first time. My son immediately acknowledged real driving is harder than the Xbox. I have learned that the brakes don’t work as well from the passenger seat. Also, I will now admit: I have control issues.

He’s learning in my car, which I have been driving nearly every day for 7+ years. It is surprising how much I do while driving, but cannot explain. There were a lot of basic things I couldn’t answer. Controls I use frequently, like the turn signal and wipers. It is equal parts feel and autopilot. It is a little scary how subconscious my operation of this big metal machine is. Teaching something I do subconsciously is exceptionally difficult.

Doing something big like this for the first time helped me remember the value of trying new things. It was also a reminder that when teaching and being taught, we need patience for teacher and student.

Am I paying attention? Can I be a patient teacher? A patient student? Have I tried something new lately?

Be curious, be kind, be whole, do good things.