Learning to Drive

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At the age of eleven, as a farm boy, my father decided I should learn to drive. This was back at a time when children were considered assets and not liabilities. His strategy was simple and straightforward: The best way to learn was to do it. At that point, we had two farm tractors. One was a small Ford with a front-end loader; the other was an Oliver 88 with wide wheels. The latter was the field tractor that I had ridden with my father several times. When he announced his intention, I was over the moon.

The next morning, he took me out to the field, where the tractor was sitting at the ready with one front wheel in the previously plowed furrow and the plow quietly waiting to be pulled into action. We climbed up on the machine, and he sat me on the seat. I was elated. Then came the instructions: Push that pedal down, this lever puts it into gear, this one makes it go faster, and when the plow gets to the furrow, pull that rope. When you are at the end of the furrow, pull the rope again, turn around, and do it again. See you at lunch. And with that, he was gone.

We can all do more than we think we can do.  The fact that we often underestimate our abilities limits us. Occasionally, we experience self-doubt, fear, or uncertainty that prevents us from realizing our full potential. If we push beyond our perceived limitations, we can discover that we are capable of achieving more than we ever thought possible. By challenging ourselves to step out of our comfort zones, we can unlock new skills, talents, and opportunities we may have never known existed. It's important to remember that growth and progress come from taking risks and embracing challenges and that we are capable of achieving greatness if we believe in ourselves and our abilities.

By challenging ourselves, we open ourselves up to a world of new experiences and opportunities. It can be tempting to stay within the confines of what we know and what feels safe, but this can lead to stagnation and a lack of personal and professional growth. When we push ourselves beyond our limits and take risks, we discover new strengths and abilities we never knew we had. We learn to adapt to new situations and become more resilient in the face of adversity. Furthermore, stepping out of our comfort zones can help us develop a greater sense of self-awareness and confidence as we learn to trust our instincts and make decisions based on our values and goals. Ultimately, embracing challenges and seeking out new experiences can lead to a more fulfilling and rewarding life. So, the next time you feel like you can't do something, remember that you have the potential to surprise yourself and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

I have been plowing ahead with life ever since.