When all signs point to “no”.

Do you believe in signs? 

I usually do but after my ordeal yesterday I started thinking differently.   I was taking the first step down the path to a possible new career by heading to an appointment at my local community college.  I have the kind of gas gauge in my car that tells you how many miles you have until E.  It said 50 miles until E.  Not great, but plenty to get me to my destination. 

That is, until you discover you are stuck in traffic – - accident traffic.  I watched the numbers slowly dipping down down down.  

34 . . . 33 . . . 32 . . . ok, I’m not going to panic.  We’ll get moving soon I’m sure.  30 . . . 29 . . . 28 . . . ok, I’m panicking.  I’m waving and pointing to cars nearby, begging them to let me over.  I rolled down the window and embarassingly told them “I’m going to run out of gas!”.  I was either going to  drive to the shoulder and shut off my car, or drive the shoulder to the exit and race to a gas station.  Neither of these options were in the  cards for me.  The next exit up was blocked.  I prayed out loud and had to fight my way back over to the left.

27 . . . 26 . . . 25 . . . Please, Lord I’ll never leave work without a full tank again!  I managed to get past the accident and off the highway.  After one illegal U-turn I managed to find a gas station.  I thought my legs were going to give out!  I was down to 19 miles to E but did not put any trust in the gauge anymore.

I had to call the school and tell them I was going to be very late for my appointment with the academic advisor.  As I drove to the school, I thought Are these all signs that I shouldn’t be doing this?  Should I just turn around and go home?  No! I’ve made it this far. 

I get to the visitor’s parking area and try to pay for my spot when my dollar bill blows away.  Really?  C’mon . . . another sign? 

I end up having a pretty decent meeting despite my journey to get there.  I left with an armload of information, so I’m off to a good start. 

So was the universe against me?  Did I need to pay attention to the signs?  I started to realize maybe these are not signs at all, but simply fear.  Fear of the unknown and my way of talking myself out of yet another idea. 

When I got home I checked my email and received one from a friend that I had contacted just a few days earlier.  Turns out she’s doing a complete career change as well.  When her response to me was to not be wishy-washy anymore about my life and to JUST GO FOR IT!  I thought . . .

. . . that was just the sign I needed.

p.s. I never get mad at being late due to an accident.  Accidents are terrible for those involved.  I will always fill up now before getting on a highway during rush hour!