In past articles, I have discussed my journey with learning how to drive. I talked about being nervous, making wide turns, and enjoying driving on the highway. I now have to share something: I am no longer scared to drive.
At first, I would feel a pressure in my chest just thinking about driving, I even had to pray in my mind before driving. Now, I still have a small prayer to keep me safe while driving but the nervousness and pressure I felt in my chest have left. My dad is now comfortable with me driving him places and I can sing my heart while driving 65 mph on the highway while he tells me how his exercise routine went.
There was a time where I just could not shake the feeling of being scared to drive even though I gained a lot of experience under my belt. No matter how good I parked or knew when to turn on my blinker, I felt like I was doing something wrong. I also felt nervous because how I knew that you're supposed to drive into the closest changing lane, put on your blinker for whichever lane you're supposed to go into, and then move into that lane...unlike my dad. After talking to him about it, he no longer tries to move my wheel.
I then realized the reason why I still felt nervous about driving: I wanted to please my dad and the administrator grading me on my driver's test. I now know that while my dad is a good driver, he has forgotten a few details on driving but that is okay. There is nothing wrong with explaining a few forgotten rules.
So...what is next on my journey to driving? Learning how to (finally) parallel park? Getting a brand new white Honda Civic with leather seats? Driving from Houston to the Panhandle to Fahr, TX with the wind blowing in my hair? Those all sound like good ideas (especially the parallel parking) but, next up is passing my driving test. I may can drive my dad and driving instructor around without blinking an eye but, I am still not allowed to legally drive by myself yet.
I plan to take my driving test later this year. With that comes new fears. "Will I fail the test on the first try?" "Will I ever pass the test?" "What if I wreck my dad's car?" All of these fears are unfounded but are normal thoughts that will cross my mind until I heard the words, "You Passed."
There are will be more journeys down the road in life where I may doubt myself but will overcome my doubts and fears. I can do anything that I put my mind to, I just have to believe in myself.
What journeys are you currently on or about to head towards in life?
