You buy a new car.
And in the first few days, weeks and months you feel quite happy while driving your new car!
You can literally feel the freshness through the distinct smell emanating from the interiors of the car.
You make it a point to drive the car as much as you can.
What's the point in spending 12 Lacs INR in buying a car if you don't drive it as much as you can.
It's simply related to the principle of return on investment!
So you drive the first 1000 Kms in no time and get your 1st free service done.
You then plan to go for a long distance.
You enjoy the thrill of pushing the pedal to let your new car reach high speeds.
You feel elated by the acceleration in speed, especially when overtaking other vehicles on the road.
And then you reach the place you had planned to reach.
You drive locally and enjoy that experience also.
Then one fine morning, as you are driving on one of the roads near the place you are put up, you hear a sharp, quick and loud thud from the left back side of the car while taking a left turn.
After driving the same patch second time, you finally stop the car in front of the place you are put up.
Out of curiosity, you come out of the car.
You get down and out of the car and walk around to the left back side.
And you get a very big and unpleasant shock!
You see that the left back Tyre is totally deflated and the alloy wheel rim is also damaged.
You get a sick sensation passing through your entire being.
Oh my God, why this has happened to my new car?
The thought that something bad has happened crosses your mind.
And then somewhere in your head, a very subtle thought also passes through - welcome to the reality.
A new car will become old in some time.
A new car will be hit surely at some point in time.
Even if you drive very carefully, you will meet one or other accident.
You can only pray and hope that those accidents are minor in nature.
Though what kind of an accident you get involved with is not exactly totally under your control.
And then suddenly you think of an elephant.
An elephant will work for you but it needs to be fed regularly.
So is the case with a car.
Today the Tyre is gone, and with that you have lost 5000 INR in a jiffy,
Tomorrow it will be another bad thing that may happen.
Finally, you think about car and about elephant.
Do you have a car?
Is is really a car?
Or an elephant?
Actually, a car is just like an elephant.
Just like your existence, the car also has a finite time period on earth.
In any case, the car registration period comes with a "valid till" date.
If you still don't believe that, do visit a nearby old car junk yard.
When you realize the deeper message from the above thoughts, you feel light.
This feeling of lightness is much better than the feeling of freshness you get while driving a new car.
In this materialistic age and world, we are enamored by the style over substance.
You then go back to the basics.
Why did you spend 12 Lacs INR in buying a new car in the first place?
What is the real return on investment you were seeking?
You note couple of things at this point of discovering the true return on investment:
- You bought a new and better car to get a better experience while driving, essentially in terms of features that deliver better vehicle stability & control, safety and comfort.
- You got only those essential accessories that really help
- seat cover (protect your OEM-fitted seats)
- door sill plate (protect door sills)
- car foot mat (protect the OEM-fitted carpet on the car floor).
- steering wheel cover (enhance grip and protect the OEM steering wheel from sweat, oil and dirt)
- rear view camera (provide better visibility and hence higher safety while reversing your car)
- You realize the car door visor you had got fitted has turned out to be a wastage of money.
- its not really required for de-frosting the windshield and rear glass especially since your car already provides features to take care of both front and rear de-frosting.
- it is also not required for taking outside air into the car cabin in normal circumstances.
- it looks good and that's all there is to it, and spending for this thing is is never a good idea.
- The key thing is to focus on the experience you would get rather than the material that provides the experience.
- And finally, you should not be bogged down and bothered by small things that happen to the "material" part of the car as long as the overall experience is exhilarating.
What the above means is that there is no point in worrying about the Tyre damage or dents or dings.
Damages, dents and dings will keep on happening.
Your car will get dirty and damaged inside too, especially if you have kids, old parents or a wife who is not just totally complacent but uncaring too.
You should do your best to keep your car away from getting dirty, damaged, dented or dinged,
However, do not fret over "material loss to the car body and its various parts" and always remain relaxed to enjoy the "experience of driving a car".
Actually, in that sense, a car is just like an elephant.
You should focus on the experience when riding an elephant while also taking care of the elephant.
Similarly, you should focus on the experience when driving a car while also taking care of the car.
However, in case of a car, too much of focus on car as a "material" is not good.
Otherwise, you should not be driving a car in the first place.
And then what's the point in buying a new car?
Don't forget about the "car material" part but don't get bogged down by it as well.
Do remember about the "car experience" part and enjoy that to the maximum.
Do also be prepared to spend more when you car gets dirty, damaged, dented or dinged.
The above is the "elephant" part of getting the privilege to enjoy the "car experience".
So is your car really a car?
Or is it an elephant?
