Yesterday, I embarked on what was supposed to be a simple trip, an interstate drive to attend a friend’s wedding. Weddings, for me, are always a mix of joy, laughter, and nostalgia, but this particular one held an extra purpose. I had promised myself that since I was heading to that town, I would seize the opportunity to finally visit another friend whose wife had just given birth a few weeks ago. Because of the distance, I hadn’t been able to greet them earlier.
But life, as always, has its way of rearranging plans. The wedding was at one end of the town, my friend’s home was at another, and my base, where I had to return before nightfall, was far away. With a car whose headlamps could barely illuminate more than a couple of meters ahead, I knew I had to strategize if I was to beat the dusk and make it back safely.
I pushed myself through the day, politely cutting short pleasantries, skipping the after-party vibes, and resisting the urge to linger over “catching up” conversations. My plan was simple: avoid night driving at all costs. But despite my efforts, time caught up with me. By the time I got back on the road, the sun had set, shadows had lengthened, and I found myself navigating through treacherous terrains filled with potholes that looked more like open craters.
Now, driving through a bad road in broad daylight is already challenging. Doing so at night with poor headlamps? That was an entirely different ballgame. My nerves tightened. Every thud of my tires into a pothole sent a jolt not only through the vehicle but also through my chest. I slowed down, peering into the darkness, unsure of what lay ahead.
Then it happened. A car with dazzlingly bright headlamps sped past me. In that moment, I had an epiphany. What if I followed this car? Its driver, judging from the speed and confidence, seemed familiar with the route. More importantly, his headlamps lit the road far better than mine could ever attempt. If I simply kept pace, I could benefit from his vision. He would “choose” the path for me, intentionally or not, and I could navigate better in his trail.
I didn’t think twice. I pressed down on my accelerator and followed. The relief I felt was almost instant. For the first time that night, my eyes weren’t straining, and my mind wasn’t running wild with fear of hidden potholes. True, I still fell into some potholes. The unavoidable ones, or perhaps the ones my lead driver hit before me. But overall, the journey became lighter. Before I knew it, I was back at my base, earlier than I had imagined. The driver kept going, unaware he had been my silent helper on that dark road.
As I parked my car, a thought gripped me: isn’t this how life works?
Borrowing Another’s Headlamp in Life
Life’s journey is filled with potholes - failures, heartbreaks, financial struggles, broken promises, health challenges, and moments when the road ahead feels too dark to navigate alone. Many times, we find ourselves with dim headlamps. Our resources are limited, our experiences insufficient, and our knowledge incomplete. But every now and then, we meet someone whose headlamps shine brighter. Someone who has traveled the road before us. Someone whose speed and confidence reveal familiarity with terrains we still find daunting.
Following such people is not weakness. It is wisdom. In fact, borrowing another’s headlamp can save us years of mistakes, heartbreak, and regret. It can mean the difference between arriving at our destination with scars and exhaustion, or arriving with strength still left to pursue the next dream.
The Power of Mentorship and Guidance
In practical terms, that car with the bright headlamps represents mentors, leaders, teachers, parents, and even peers whose vision is sharper and broader than ours. They see farther because their experiences, knowledge, and preparation give them an edge. Following their trail doesn’t mean losing our individuality; it means learning from their vision until we can upgrade our own “headlamps.”
Think about it: students borrow the vision of teachers to master new subjects; entrepreneurs borrow the wisdom of seasoned business owners to avoid predictable pitfalls; young couples learn from older couples about sustaining marriages; and even in spirituality, we lean on those with deeper insights to guide us closer to truth.
The Caution: Choose the Right Headlamp
But here’s the catch. Just as on the road, not every bright headlamp should be followed. Some drivers may lead you into worse potholes. Some may appear confident yet are as lost as you. The key is to ensure that the one you are following is indeed heading in the same direction as you. My decision to follow that driver worked only because his route aligned with mine until my own road branched off. In life, if you follow someone whose vision doesn’t match your destination, you risk ending up in a place you never intended to be.
Lesson Learnt
Last night’s drive taught me that in life, we do not always need to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes, it is okay to say, “This person’s light shines brighter than mine. Let me follow for now.” It is not dependency, it is strategic humility. And while you follow, you prepare. You work on upgrading your own headlamp so that one day, you too can light the path for someone else navigating the darkness.
So, I ask you today: whose headlamp are you following? Are you humble enough to admit when your vision is dim? And, equally important, will your own light one day be bright enough for others to follow?
For me, last night’s risky drive became more than a physical journey. It became a metaphor for life itself. And now, every time I think about that stranger’s car, I am reminded that sometimes the safest way to travel through life’s darkness is by borrowing another’s headlamp.
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