There is always a first time...

I remember trying to make a point at some stage of my earlier life. I wanted my parents especially to realise that I was a big girl now and could somewhat take care of myself a bit.

I remember not waiting to be picked up from school after my first term in secondary(boarding) school. I had just enough pocket money left to get me home. I think I knew someone would be coming to pick me but I went home anyway.

Mum looked up from over the counter and couldn't believe her eyes. Her little girl was right before her and her dad had just arrived at the school, painfully looking for the 'runaway.' Well, "poor him" I thought but point made too. From that day forth they knew that if someone couldn't make it they didn’t have to worry too much coz I could get home by myself.

Yesterday someone was questioning my ability to do something. It wasn't enough that I'd undergone a sort of training for it or that I had taken a test for it, they just had their fears and uncertainties about my ability. (I don't blame them really, I've had a similar feeling about a number of things before)

However, this got me thinking.

There is always a first time, a learning period, a beginner moment. Take for example a surgeon. Like in all fields there must be some big names in this area too. But didn't these people have that first moment? Their first operation, real theater moment?  If someone had to cut my heart open and this was going to be their first time I'd have concerns. They've never done this before and why 'try out' on me? Oh fine they've been doing some practice on other kinds of surgeries and they've all been great successes maybe on kidneys, legs and stomachs, but this is my heart!

However, if they for one reason or the other have to keep on postponing the first moment then when do they get to be added to the list of big names. I'm sure some of these experts have had painful stories and for some horrible first moments but I believe its faith that pulls them to the top. When a child takes their first step I'm thinking the last thing on their mind is a fall, they believe they are going to walk and much as they keep falling they keep trying and the day comes when they walk across the room and there's lots of applause from people that were standing round all this time supporting, cheering and encouraging.

While this was not going to be my first time, it is true that I could put peoples lives in danger; but it is also true that I could get you to your destination and some stranger somewhere could be of or cause you even greater harm. We take precautions as much as we can but in life we will always have that moment when you'll close your eyes and jump right into it.

So yesterday, I looked back to moments when people have believed in me and trusted me to take my first step and I wondered if I had done so for others.

You could be so particular that you wont let someone borrow that book lest they bring it back tattered, or you're a parent and out of love and concern wont let your child go out for that bicycle ride or an employer and wont let that employee take on a more challenging task, or you could be hard on even yourself; afraid to start the business or project or program or live your dream.

 Sometimes we just have to cross our fingers, hold our breath, have some faith and take that step but more importantly we need to be able to help the people around us take their first steps coz life is that circular; what goes around comes around.

Someone once told me if I have faith and believe that I am ready to do something then I can do it, no matter what others think the first person that has to be sure is me. If I have me on board then the few that don't think so will catch up with time.

 PS:

Attitude:When we set out we don't set out imagining the worst, we set out for a win.