Mind’s chatter rarely stops. On that fateful day more than a year ago, even though I was riding my two-wheeler, mind was rambling, 9:05 am I will reach home. We will have breakfast, by 10:00 am or so we will take a stroll in the society. By that time Adviti will be back from her dance class. We would get ready by 11:00 am spend some time at home and start for social gathering followed by lunch.
It was about 9:00 but my mind had already reached lunch time. They say plans are useless but planning is important. I was preparing this plan in my head and in three minutes I was on the ground! Met with a minor accident, or that is what I thought it was. At the hospital I realized it was not a small accident.
That one thing changed me to a great extent. I make plans, of course I worry for many things too however, I know now that in next second things may change completely. This incident reminded me of my Senior Division NCC days. I was Senior Under Officer of my company 3MP CTI. It was one of the best learning experiences as a leader. I had heard many adventurous stories shared by our trainers and Commanding Officers. One insight stayed with me: even when a plan is thoroughly prepared for field operations, the leader must remain flexible. The officer in command understands that about 70% of the plan is predetermined. The remaining 30% must be adapted based on the situation at hand. So even after planning they keep room for improvisation and course correction.
If in a life and death situation they can keep their plans fluid, in our day today professional and personal life too we should have that wiggle room for change. However, in our daily rut we miss out on this kind of small yet very important lesson. Take an example, when you go to office on a daily basis, do you change your route often? I recall, I had to fill my car and in the self-chatter while driving I completely missed this small yet very useful thing. We become so mechanical that we miss out on things.
That two-wheeler ride turned out to be more than just a commute – it became a quiet lesson. In that one moment, life shook me out of the mechanical rhythm we all fall into. Buddhist practice often speaks of mindfulness – being in the now, not being dragged into what’s ahead or behind. That morning, my mind had already reached lunchtime, while my body was still dodging traffic at 9:00 AM.
We make plans, and we should. But we must also remind ourselves: plans aren’t permanent. I remember my NCC days – our commanding officers always said, “Plan for 70%, keep 30% flexible.” It wasn’t just about military drills; it was deeper. Whether in business strategy or daily life, that 30% flexibility is vital. It’s space for awareness, for course correction, for growth.
As professionals, as leaders, and even as commuters, the lesson is the same: don’t get locked into habit. That minor looking accident taught me something major – presence matters. Even an ordinary ride can turn into an extraordinary insight, if we’re tuned in.
We must live with awareness. Not just by the clock or calendar, but by being present to what is.
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