Get the Wind in Your Sail – Tide over the Ebbs

Given an option, we would like to sail through life without a single cross wind catching our masts. That not being the case, we end up riding a crest at one moment, going down on ebb, the next. However much we are prepared for the ebbs, often we are caught with the wind blowing against our sails. A support at that moment can fill those sails once again and help us tide over the ebb with ease.

Emergencies, big or small, are part of life. As much as we would like to wish them away, they have an uncanny habit of appearing from time to time. Even with the best laid out plans, we are not left untouched. However, a well-planned support structure definitely makes the difference between making it or breaking down.  

When going on a holiday, I like to plan the basic things such as stay, travel logistics, etc. Though my husband is a card-dependent person, with children and the elderly part of our holiday baggage, I prefer to carry cash. Last summer, leaving on a weekend trip, young and old packed in the car and waiting, I exclaimed. ‘Now what?’ was the unspoken look that I got. ‘Remember we have to withdraw cash,’ said I. And as luck would have it, both ATMs that were on the way, before we hit the NH, were non-functional – one waiting for cash refill, the other not a 24x7 counter. On the entire route, I scavenged small denominations of currency, from the young and old, making a mental note that this was never to be repeated. Machine banking, 24x7, is an essential support system that is now available right at your door.

Well, this was not a life and death situation. However, sometimes those situations also come. As happened one day with our security guard, who fell ill on duty. I took him to a doctor’s chamber, only to find that the morning visiting hours were over. Ferrying a sick man around, I wished there was some in-house medical care available. Such facility, with a 24x7 dispensary, an attending physician and a telemedicine tie with major hospitals of the city, is a wish no more.

Curdled milk and no masala tea in the morning? Sudden guests at home and you are low on stock? A 9 p.m. urge to have mango ice-cream? The party menu suddenly cries out for baby tomatoes, broccoli, yellow bell-pepper and mozzarella? Mom-in-laws ‘kayam churn’ is over and she has to have it every night? Racer gel ball pens for school tomorrow, sonny remembered at 8.30 sharp? Well, no more running to the nearby store (you are not sure if the guy has closed shop and gone for the day). You can now get it at a shopping centre, right there, right at your door!

It is this little wind to your sail that will help you to tide over emergencies, big and small; the best thing is someone is ready, here and now, to help you sail over those tight spots.