anticipate!

Following on from yesterday's blog on asking people what they need, sometimes people struggle to know. sometimes anticipating people's possible needs is a very lovely thing, I know when people do it for me I feel very loved up indeed.
when i'm at events i try and go over to whoever is leading it and ask what they need in the break, as they are often bombarded so don't always get to meet their own needs.  if they are not used to me asking that question i might more directly ask would they like me to bring a drink over for them.

When I was learning to drive I had, in addition to a paid instructor, both my dad and a friend take me out on several practice sessions. The latter was someone I thought lovely who was quiet and patient and I don't remember anything other than gentle practices. Those we know best of all we can sometimes be less kindly towards, and from what I'm told (I've blocked it out) I didn't give my Dad an easy time, on one occasion abandoning the car and him at a roundabout. What i do remember more than anything is his repeated urge that all drivers need to "anticipate!" That driving requires an attentiveness that means we're on alert for any possibility that might arise - that pedestrian might step out, that driver might not turn even tho they're indicating, that car might not stop in time so let's allow more space. Etc, etc etc. It has served me well so far in terms of driving. And sometimes it serves me more broadly in life too.

I've still not dug out my de-icing tool tho. Sometimes my anticipation could do with honing ;)