“There Is No Rush”

With the sun shining across my face that morning, I woke up with a mix of excitement and nervousness, knowing that I finally had an appointment at the DMV set up for that day. The thought of the limitless journeys on the road sprung into my mind, I could not wait for this new chapter of my life. However, while preparing myself for the driving test, the thought of failing proceeded to fill my mind, resulting in my body trembling with anxiety. As I took the test and drove around the town, I could feel the expectations put on me rise. Unfortunately, that day I was given a harsh reality check when the instructor delivered the news that I would not be passing the test. My ego was broken, my heart was shattered, and my confidence shrunk to a minimum, there I felt a heavy sense of defeat. On my way back home I could not bring myself to share the news with my mother and sister, so I retreated to my room to hide as I felt like a disappointment.

While self-trapped in my room I scrolled through social media, posts of my fellow classmates and friends proudly posing with their newly equipped license and journeys on the road flooded my feed. Despite as much as I was feeling dejected, I saw this setback as an opportunity for personal growth and improvement. That day my parents, seeing the disappointment in my face, offered so much support and reassured me that this was for the better. This encouragement was, what I think, my turning point to reflect on the importance and what it means to drive responsibly.

It was only after that conversation, I couldn’t help but recall one experience that occurred to my cousin, who is a great person but adventurous in spirit, was involved in a horrible car crash. The crash resulted in the car flipped over, which the image of it is indented in my mind. It reminded me of the consequences of reckless driving. It was his wake up call that resonated deeply within me too. Luckily, there was no severe damage done to him, but just as important, he didn’t harm any innocent bystanders of the incident. I had a heart to heart conversation with him immediately after I got the news. I emphasized that driving is not a game and there is always potential harm for innocent lives around him. Telling him how much I would hate losing him, to my understanding, sparked a change in his driving behavior.

Returning to the present, the realization hit me that I wasn’t prepared for the responsibilities of driving as I originally anticipated. Grateful for not having to face the dreadful experience my cousin had to endure, I became committed to improving my skills as a driver, pleading with my father for more hours behind the wheel. The change I desired did not happen overnight, my road to redemption took countless hours and many weeks of practice until I built up some courage and decided to give myself a second chance. The day of the second test, I woke up feeling more prepared, and this time with greater focus, I had the right amount of confidence. At the end, awaiting the results, my face creased with anticipation. As soon as I heard the word “congratulations” come out of the mouth of my instructor, a big wave of relief washed over me. My instructor’s compliments assured me that my hard work and dedication had paid off.

Returning back home, but this time with contrary emotions than the previous attempt, I felt a sense of accomplishment. My family hugged me tightly, congratulating me. However, this success did not shadow the responsibility that came with driving. I became fully aware that the trust of others was placed on me when I was behind the wheel, a responsibility so great that it is like a burden on my shoulders. To this day, I approach every sign and light with extreme defensiveness, a constant reminder that the lives of my passengers are in my hands. Whether it is my friends or family in the passenger seat, I keep their safety as my number one priority.

As much as it is depicted on social media that driving fast and recklessly is “cool,” I remember the significance of driving responsibly which forever altered my perspective of driving. One moment that is profound to me is when my dad was driving us back home, I looked out the window and arrived in a state of sonder, there I realized that each car on the road contained a unique and beautiful life. It was a reminder that every vehicle you see is a potential target for destruction, fortifying the importance of responsible and cautious driving.

In conclusion, my journey to acquiring my driver’s license was blocked by obstacles which led to major reflection and ultimately success. My message to the world is resilience and patience, highlighting that failing your driving test does not mean you are a horrible driver. It’s crucial to be 100% ready before hitting the road, and it’s best to avoid any rush to get your license that could lead to an unfortunate accident. Always remember life is precious, and the responsibility of being a safe driver should never be underestimated.