Recently, my youngest daughter, Suzi, set off on an adventure along the stunning west coast of Auckland and Waikato. She visited beautiful places like Manukau Heads, Port Waikato, and Waiuku, indulging in her love for travel and trampling. It was a delightful getaway, filled with peace and tranquility.

But what happened next was far from a travel blog...

As she headed home on Monday, preparing for a month of night shifts, Suzi decided to pull over near Hamilton to study a map. Fortunately, she kept her seat belt fastened as she leaned forward. Just then, without warning, a violent impact jolted her car forward, crashing her into a concrete wall.

A kind driver from the opposite lane rushed to her aid, quickly realizing that Suzi was not at fault. The other driver - an inexperienced learner - was in an unregistered, uninsured vehicle, yet still attempted to blame Suzi. It’s a stark reminder of how unpredictable life can be.

Suzi assured the ambulance officers she felt fine, while the other driver was taken to the hospital. Despite the chaos, Suzi’s main concern was her own well-being.

When she finally called me after a long bus journey home, I was amazed at her calmness. How could she be so composed after such an unexpected ordeal? I would have been furious! Yet, she was clearly practising what I discuss in my book: the power of positive thinking in challenging situations.

As a mother, I worried that her emotional state might shift once the adrenaline faded. I quickly booked a flight to Tauranga, prepared to support her. Meanwhile, her insurance company arranged a hire car, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive coverage - especially when dealing with uninsured drivers.

The next day, after a brief rest, Suzi met me at the airport. The reality of losing her beloved manual car weighed heavily on her, so I suggested a visit to Tauranga Toyota to distract her. To our surprise, there was a nearly identical manual car available, just three years younger and within her budget. Although uncertain about her old car’s fate, she secured the new one with a refundable deposit.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Her insurance company was impressively efficient, coordinating everything seamlessly. Two days later, Suzi had dropped off the hire car, picked up her new one, and was back home by 8:30 AM—a remarkable turnaround!

After a well-deserved rest, we drove to Hamilton to collect the belongings from her old car. By late afternoon, we were back home, feeling a mixture of relief and hope.

As she got used to her new vehicle, I reflected on the lessons learned through this unexpected journey. It reminded me of a core theme in my book: our thoughts shape our experiences, especially during turbulent times.

In the end, because everything fell into place so efficiently, we had a weekend to simply “be” before I returned home. It was a precious gift, reminding us both of the importance of presence and gratitude.

So, when the unexpected happens, remember: it’s your thoughts that count. Embrace the chaos, find joy in the little things, and keep moving forward. If you’d like to explore more on this journey of thought and resilience, I invite you to delve into my book, where we navigate these challenges together.