I’m a slow starter by birth. I remember my mother narrating her agony about my first step and first word. I was late in both the cases. I was almost two years old when I uttered my first word, relieving my apprehensive parents who were counting days before consulting a speech therapist. Similarly, I started walking late in this world. The tradition continued ever since.In school I was slow in taking dictations. I never won any race, saving once when I came second. I always struggled to write all the answers in my exams within the stipulated time and mostly failed in completing my class assignments before the period was over(I still remember running behind my teachers to submit my class works). In short my disregard for speed was evident in all my actions. Not a surprise, today when the world is mad about ‘Need for speed’, I turn crazy every time I try to challenge my speed limit. The pace of my life, it seems, is monitored by numerous Go Slow Signs.
Quite obviously, I achieved most of the things in life a little late (as if the achievements were delivered by India Post). I finished my school and bid adieu to my college chasing a podium finish, but with no success. Finally, in my Post Graduation when I achieved that near illusive feat, there was hardly anything to rejoice and anyone to applaud. Similarly, in my quest for professional success, I had to suffer the grilling of umpteenth interviews (I stopped counting after the 29th one) before getting a job. In my personal life also, I am a bit slow in making friends. I take time before getting comfortable with people and have managed to make only a handful of friends in my life. If I go into further details, I eat slowly, take a hell lot of time to get adjusted to a new place, am a slow reader etc. etc. The examples are endless.
Now the question arises- Am I complaining? Not at all. I am at complete ease with my speed. After all, when a Tempo moves on the road it is the other vehicles and pedestrians who find it a deterrent. The Tempo is least bothered about how others are feeling. You know why? Because the Tempo knows its limits and does the best possible within that limit to reach its destination.
