More than just a drive...

In-between fields /plantations/forests most, but the heart rides along carrying with more than just luggage and a mass of steel. It is some real ease and heavy mood ride at times.

I have done the miles on roads that challenged my ability to stay awake, to try and keep up with the demands of life. The road side tends to look like a series that you keep repeating but amazingly, learn of something new. A discovery, ever so giving, close to forever green, the surroundings compel to be noticed. No matter the season, some form of life persists. Though given this privilege to exist as a human being, over trees for one, nature seem to have the upper hand in so many ways_ a wonder on its own.

To what we call a path-way from one point to another, defeated is the man made tars, forever a pot hole emerges. To my surprise, they like to grow faster than me. The potholes promise to be of my distraught, where new routes develope. A suspense to my part, at times a damn good feeling when I find my way around them. The rain gets me to sit like I am about to face a panel for an interview, it always dawns, my mind is really getting a thorough challenge here. Not only do I have a yellow line to decide on whether to sway over or away from, some boundaries need to be crossed only when it is a must. Sounds like a lifeless road has a mind of its own huh!

On the road, I have met with a lot of what is referred to as creatures that coexist, and my rumbling machine threatens to end them. I have carried with a few birds that didn't make it through their estimate to beat my incoming. I have surely decorated the "grill", found black lesions of what we can call the shedding. I have suddenly knocked over a few, and probably messed with a family member of a flock trying to make way to the other side. It is really something; the ecosystem is left shook. Naturally, I drive on. At times, I worry about Stargirl (My car) more than I should. Forgive me Nature! Then there are the road owners, who are truly worth looking out for. Don't you get into the habit of being a character on the Fast and the Furious now, this is real life and the real Dom Toretto is not stunting on some National road to and from Gauteng, and stopped for going over 120 kilometers per hour.

My drives have opened for me preparations to solitude, freedom to scream real loud, blow some fumes and steam, sing and convince myself I can enter a singing competition, let music get the best of me. I have stopped and risk on having strangers invade my peace and space, all the way to risking my life if you think about it. I have taken a chance to have conversations that have had an impact on my emotional state, good and bad. I have at times found it satisfying, to have learned something, from people I don't know and probably will never come across again in my life time. I have also been desperate to take a chance on a few, for I needed the "thank you-money" they could offer. That is some part of life, that will humble the "I got my own ride" ego talks. Once you get to that desperate road trip on a red flashing light, you will understand that, the liability part of this machine is real. Nonetheless, you learn to humble yourself, and stop for someone. Sounds dangerous I know! It is damn right dangerous. Into the unknown you ride on with them, when they hop out, relief is all you sigh. You will have learned to respect others, whether they are outside looking in or inside longing to get out. This is what life can get you to experience, whether you like it or not; every now and then, you are going to need somebody or something.

To journey on the tars has taught me to center myself. I have learned to calm myself when where I'm from messed me up or where I'm going ought to. The trips that depended on a GPS that got me out of my comfort zone, I truly dread them. My Father told me all about making sure you lock away your troubles when you are driving. One of his best moments I must say. Your head can get you into collisions not easy to come back from or out off at all even, just to learn that literally, it is all air bags and an end to a journey. I have learned to not starve myself for the sake of saving a few, and gave into some self-full tactics, honour myself without thinking of anyone else. Get me a Magnum or two, ease on a gentle bite, like I'm on a TV ad _ hmmmm! Gladly indulge and not feel like I wasted some hard earned money. By the road I have learned how sharp some curves are, like the curve balls life throws at me which I cannot look comfortable while swinging. I love the therapy you get randomly when you listen to a certain song on a radio station or just the open road looking endless. Relating to the radio caller who shares their story and you find answers to things you didn't even realize you were questioning. On the road, you make real acquaintance with sun rises and sun sets that you didn't even want to be caught in while on the wheel, for it was too early or you were running late to be driving. When this happens, I have learned to ride along with what you may know as, "better late than never" or "everything happens for a reason". At times no matter how prepared you were for the journey, a knock literally gets you to realize just how so not ready you are. You realize that though your hands are on the steering wheel, you are so not in control. It is at this times, this situations, that I get to say, "Horeila Mudzimu!". That is me acknowledging that the real driver was not me, but God. I do not take for granted the experience I have in driving but, I am convinced not to put my faith solely in my skills.

I have no idea how special your drives are to you but for me and Stargirl, it has been one ride after another, truly transformative. I mean, from the first time a three-and-a-half-hour journey, took me longer. The mess of changing gears and fearing stepping on the pedals, the numbness on my knees, all the way to really opening the valves. To my amusement, there is always something new to discover about my abilities through driving. Some serious dumb choices, stupid mistakes, real great calculations and of cause, the rage that suddenly comes over you when someone else try to mess with you. Hey now, it gets hectic out there! Sometimes, you need to be tough. I did not say, be rude. At times, you need to be forgiving, be accommodating to the fellow road users. You ou really don't know what the other person is going through. I won't excuse the drunk drivers though, please stop risking our lives.

The most important part of my drives, Stargirl _ I feel for you, the things I put you through, damnit! The cries you have had to endure and the crazy singing, I mean wow! I will however, say that you have been such a home for me to really pray and worship, real talks to self, that you shall keep records of forever. Thank you for being so reliable in not being judgmental. This brings me to this one crucial part of any journey, always pray before you go and when you do feel you have arrived. If you are really committed, say a few words during the journey. I always have journeys not worth remembering when I embark without praying first. It is not a cliché. Kindly ask for God’s lead and thank him for his lead, always! This my family and friends, will always matter_ Let God Lead! You either learn to prioritize prayers to ask the Lord to ride with you or die for thinking you can, without him!

Scriptures to feed on : Proverbs 16:9/ Psalm 23/ Psalm 37:23 / Psalm 119:105

May you find this peace as relaxing as I was when putting it together.

Regards

Livhuwani