I have been feeling down lately. I just have no luck or maybe I’m in a situation where everything could be wrong. First I shopped online and got the wrong size, then found something wrong with the gear box of my NEW car, after that I received a ticket for driving the wrong way on a one-way street in a neighboring city, and recently I “kissed” two other people’s cars within three days! Like they say, it never rains but it pours.

By the word “kiss”, I mean I touched and scratched others’ cars, not serious accidents, thank goodness! However, the experiences are too nasty to be easily forgotten. The first kiss happened when I was trying to make a U-turn near my apartment, where there is a small road connecting the main asphalt road inside the residential area. I’m one of the many who have no garage and have to park the car along the main road. Generally no one is supposed to park his car at that crossing.

That day, however, a Guangzhou Honda was parked there, blocking half of the space. Maybe I was hungry at that lunchtime and eager to get the car parked. Somehow I misjudged the distance and gently kiss that Guangzhou Honda at the rear of the car. Unfortunately I was seen from a balcony by its owner. And he came to ask for damage while I was still cooking. I admitted that I was the one and agreed to pay for the damage. Either at lunchtime or after, say, 6 PM, there are usually very few parking spaces along the main road. So if you come back late, you have to park outside, far from your home. It is hard to avoid kissing others or being kissed by others. My car was also kissed by others, twice not once at the rear. But I was not there when they scratched my car.

The second kiss occurred after I came out of the school gate. It was 9: 35 PM after I oversaw the evening study of the students. There were cars everywhere outside, waiting to pick up their kids. I was going very slowly and saw a car moving also slowly to the right side. So I put my right foot on the brake, but I found I was on a slight slope. Seeing the car in front was going sideway, I calculated I could pass after the car left if I went slowly. So I released the clutch a little bit. However, that car in front suddenly stopped with a little part of its rear blocking my way. Another gentle kiss was made!

It seems not easy to truly enjoy life. Sometimes a small incident can spoil your whole day. In my case it was not the money that I had to pay for the damage, but the experiences. Your pride was being tested and even worse you may self doubt and then blame yourself for being so careless or so incapable. Staying calm is easy said than done. Outwardly, I behaved naturally and undisturbed, but deep inside I just couldn’t swallow my pride for quite a while. I believe the two incidents were nicely dealt with, for I took the due responsibility and at the same time won the understanding of the two car owners. In the first case I paid 60% and in the second she kindly allowed me to choose a garage instead of a 4-S store, which usually charges much more.

I reminded myself it was actually nothing serious, nothing deserving to be fretted about. If I had bought an AT, it could have cost ten thousand more. If there had been a crash and somebody was injured, it would not be something that money can repair or compensate. It’s no use crying over spilt milk. You’ve done all that you’re able to do. And more importantly, an invaluable lesson has been learned. Tomorrow is just another day. Everyday is the first day of the rest of your life. Why not look ahead and make the best of your life? Be content with everything you have and always try to find the joy in your life.