The most important life lesson that I ever learned in recent years is never to rush my life. As an adult, I deal with the stresses of bills, credit, remembering deadlines and appointments, and other conditions that I was never taught in school. In a society where people are made to rush, be on time, and get assignments done quickly, I learned the hard way that life is not a race and that things will happen when they do. A couple of years ago, my mother and I were on our way to the campus by car for my morning Tai Chi class. Our car was acting strange in that the brakes were not working and it was making noises. We were going to turn to the nearest store to get some car supplies quickly before my mom dropped me off to school. At a red light where several cars were already waiting for the signal, my mom hit the brakes and nothing happened. As an experienced driver, she manuvered the car in an open space between another car and the metal railing on a bridge. The friction stopped the car, but it felt like the car squeezed itself between these objects. In any other circumstance, we could have either hit a car dead-on or drive ourselves off a bridge towards the river. None of that happened. Both my mother and I were scared and crying. A lot of thoughts flowed through my mind: What happened to our car? Are we stuck here? If only I had check the brake fluid earlier! The police and tow truck helped us out and I ended up telling my Professor about the car accident, so I did not go to class that day. I will never forget how I was arguing with my mom prior to the accident or how we were rushing to get to school on time. Ever since then, I always reminded my mom and brother, "I do not care if it takes you the whole day. I just want you safe." Life is too short to worry all the time and it is not worth it if your life is taken away knowing that it could have been prevented. Yes, I still work on assignments and being on time to the best of my ability, but my feelings whenever I am on the edge of being late have changed. I do not get upset about it and I move on. I also apply this lesson when it comes to tests, writing, and events in general. There is a reason why something happens and if it were not meant for me at that moment, then it is okay. I will get there at my own pace and I will work hard for it.

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