How about having a speed limit in our life?

Lakshmi Kothaneth -

lakshmiobserver@gmail.com -

Don’t you wish there was someone to monitor speed limit in our lives? Oh yes, I hear you. One should know how to manage one’s life. If we were all good at managing speed, we wouldn’t need so many health experts in the world, especially mental health experts.

Last week, speed limit was revised on a flyover at Hamriya Roundabout, Muscat. From 80 kph, it was reduced to 60 kph. The first few days saw motorists applying sudden brakes. Old habits die hard!

But many agreed it was a wise decision because the flyover is difficult to manoeuvre. I take the same flyover after a long weekend only to note its barrier rail was distorted. Another one hit the rail.

In life, there are no signposts to tell us when to slow down. There are tough terrains and some like to take the uncharted route. Some like to take the road much travelled, while others want to compete and take success to another level. There are special people who will never give up. Then there are those who believe they are victims.

Being a victim is an easy way out. One can live in status quo and blame it on someone else. There are individuals who accept what has happened but move on to find a new beginning.

After all, every day promises a new sunrise. No two sunrises are similar, which is proof that we can have a new beginning almost daily. But that is not to say give up easily. Some of the successful people in the world are ones who work hard and will never give up.

If a journey has been painful, rest assured there is sweetness of success somewhere along if one has the patience to be persistent. The only requirement being open-minded to learn from mistakes.

Having a speed limit in life would mean knowing when to slow down or stop trying at times. Drivers on the Hamriya flyover had to consciously remind themselves about the new speed limit. Surely, camera lights must’ve flashed on quite a few vehicles that couldn’t reduce speed. It’s the fear of fine that can tame motorists.

In real life, it is the health signs that make one slow down the pace. It’s the health issues that make one pause and take a deep breath. This is when one takes time to look backward to analyse his life. Philosophers say do not live in the past or the future. But live in the moment.

I know of people who have Plan A, B and C and maybe even a D in case Plan A fails. I do not know if they are living in the moment, but they are definitely having an adrenaline rush. There are others, the adventurous types, who like to take risks. They too seem to be sailing well in life. They fall but pick themselves up and move on.

Then comes the people who feel they are sinking. To this, my friend said: “Don’t struggle when you are sinking. Most people drown because they panic. Just don’t struggle.”

There are times in life when we just need to be. Maybe then we will stay afloat and eventually swim with the flow to safety. Maybe there would be a rock or a branch – hope. That is the best gift of life.

With the right attitude and planning in addition to knowing the speed limits that are invisible, we might be just fine. But then life would not be a learning experience without some twists and turns.

But don’t forget the speed limit. There is no one to fine us but it is nice to know when the time is right. If we’re speeding, we might just miss it – the opportunities.