Healing through words 😄

    Google Aunty Was Right… Unfortunately, I Discovered It Too late.

    What life lesson did you learn too late?

    I have always believed in trusting my instincts. Unfortunately, my instincts and Google Maps have never been on speaking terms.

    One afternoon, I was driving to a friend’s house. Confidently, I switched on the GPS.

    “Turn left in 200 metres,” it announced.

    I looked at the road. “Absolutely not! That’s a narrow lane. I know a better route.”

    I drove straight.

    “Recalculating,” it said calmly.

    I smiled. “See? Even the machine has realised its mistake.”

    A few minutes later, it announced, “Make a U-turn.”

    “Excuse me! I don’t take orders from strangers,” I replied, rather unnecessarily, to a mobile phone.

    I took another turn.

    “Recalculating.”

    At this point, I was beginning to feel that the GPS was judging my driving skills.

    Ten minutes later, I found myself in a tiny lane, surrounded by parked scooters, confused pedestrians and a cow who looked thoroughly unimpressed with my arrival.

    I stopped the car.

    The GPS spoke again.

    “Turn left.”

    I stared at the screen. “Where? Into someone’s living room?”

    There was silence.

    Then came the final blow.

    “Proceed to the highlighted route.”

    I almost shouted, “Why don’t YOU proceed? You’re sitting comfortably in  my  phone.”

    After several wrong turns, a little panic and a generous amount of self-criticism, I finally reached my destination.

    My friend opened the door and asked, “What happened? You look exhausted!”

    I replied, “Nothing. I just had a disagreement with a machine and lost.”

    But on my way home, I found myself thinking about that ridiculous journey.

    How often do we do exactly the same thing in life?

    We receive advice, ignore it because we are convinced we know better, take unnecessary detours, get frustrated, and then wonder why everything is taking so long.

    Sometimes, the problem isn’t the road. It’s our refusal to accept that we might be going in the wrong direction.

    And perhaps the most important lesson I learnt that day was this:

    You don’t have to be right at every turn. You just have to be willing to find your way.

    Of course, I still argue with my GPS occasionally.

    Old habits die hard.

    But now, whenever it says, “Recalculating,” I take a deep breath and keep quiet.

    After all, I have enough people in my life who disagree with me. I don’t need my phone to join the committee.

    “I have finally learnt not to argue with Google Aunty. A little late, perhaps, but better late than getting lost again. Some lessons in life take years to learn, especially when the teacher lives inside your phone.” 😜

    “Some people give you directions. Google Aunty gives you directions, watches you ignore them, and still has the patience to bring you home!” 🤣

    40 responses to “Google Aunty Was Right… Unfortunately, I Discovered It Too late.”

    1. When people seek advice, it’s often validation they’re looking for, or simply an opportunity to process their emotions by being heard. The actual advice may have little relevance.

      And if your advice challenges an existing belief system, be prepared for some resistance. The advisor might even become the problem! 😂

      A piece of advice to fellow advisors: Start charging consultation fees. If not for the money, at least for your peace of mind. And in the worst-case scenario, you’ll have something to deposit in your piggy bank! 🐷

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Rajeev, you’ve just exposed the entire advice industry. 😂 People don’t want solutions, they want a free audience and a nodding head. And the moment you say something honest, congratulations, you’re now the villain of their story.

        Consultation fees are the way. “Advice: ₹500. Ignoring my advice: ₹1000. Blaming me later: premium package.” 🐷💰

        Piggy bank will be fat, peace of mind will be priceless. Take my vote for the Ministry of Satire.

        Liked by 1 person

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        • But what about those who offer unsolicited advice? They too should realise the enormous charity they’ve been doing all along. Perhaps it’s time they started invoicing for their generosity! 😂 Of course, only when someone actually approaches them for advice.

          Liked by 1 person

        • Hahaha 😂 Unsolicited advice is the one free service nobody ordered but everybody delivers. Invoicing only when asked is a very fair policy, though I suspect a few advisors would go bankrupt waiting for the first customer.😄

          Great point, and thanks for keeping the laughs going. 🐷💰

          Liked by 2 people

    2. Here in France, Google Maps send people on enormous detours. I have had to rescue several visitors, who were trusting Google Maps, and ended up miles off course, including my cousin in a rented car, which broke down on some remote back road – sent there by Google!

      I agree that sometimes our own intuition can be off but I still trust it more than AI!

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      • Oh no, your poor cousin. 😂 Google Maps basically said “trust me” and then dropped him on a remote back road like a bad blind date. Thank goodness he had a rescuer like you on speed dial. 🚗

        And I’m with you on intuition. At least when my gut gets me lost, I only have myself to blame, and that’s free therapy material. 😄

        Thanks for the great story and the smile.

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        • Oh no, a swamp?.😂 I hope your car didn’t turn into a boat! 🚗🐸 Thank you for sharing this, it’s a good reminder that even the smartest maps can have a moment of ‘surprise adventure.’ 🗺️

          You’re right, none of them are perfect, but at least they gave you a story to tell! Glad you’re safe, and thanks for the laugh! 😄🙏

          Liked by 2 people

    3. Love your sense of humor! It speaks volumes about you.
      I think you are my kind of.person. arguing with GPS!
      I too sometimes have same.mindest, of knowing better that the one giving advice. Life happens.
      But as for Google aunty, she mostly takes me to the right destination but on the back gate and sometimes even expects me to either jump over the wall or argue with the guard of adjacent building.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Hahaha 🤣🤣 The back-gate experience deserves a blog post of its own! Google Aunty certainly has a creative approach to navigation.

        I think she assumes we are all part-time mountaineers with excellent negotiating skills. 😂

        And yes, sometimes the person giving advice may not know everything, but at least Google Aunty has the advantage of never getting tired of saying, “Recalculating.”

        Thank you for sharing this. You have made me laugh. ❤️

        Liked by 2 people

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      • Well said 😄 So Google Aunty is innocent after all, she just recalculates and never trespasses.

        Unsolicited advice is clearly a human art form, perfected over generations by relatives, neighbours and uncles at weddings. 😂

        Thanks for the sharp take and for reading!🤍

        Liked by 1 person

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        • The people in politics creating policies based on AI usage, are end-responsible including technocrats assisting, plus people in democracies continuing the trajectory. The machine is for me just still an extra instrument, disruptive or not, sth is not right away a disruptive technology like the start of internet infrastructure itself in my humble viewpoint here.

          Liked by 1 person

        • I like your framing, but I’d push back a little 🙂 Calling AI ‘just a tool’ is true, but tools can still reshape everything. The internet was ‘just a network’ at first too. The real disruption usually shows up years later, once people and institutions adapt around it. That’s why I think policymakers shouldn’t wait to see how disruptive it gets. Responsibility sits with humans, so the rules should be written before the habits harden. Curious if you’d disagree.

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        • This is a definition for ‘disruptive technology’; https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/disruptive-technology

          Maybe a follow up question if you do not mind; would you really be capable of understanding a difficult book you really want to read, while you at the moment do not have the right level, by asking AI for a translated summary?

          As with many instruments/inventions, when things are called disruptive or just in experimental adoption phase matters.

          Personally, I would prefer reading that difficult book rather then jumping to a quick fix. For deep understanding this is a better journey to take, otherwise, perhaps you did not really wanted to read that book to begin with by asking AI for explanation.

          What will be disruptive is that illiteracy can increase rather then decrease as was one of the promises of the internet, that education would increase due to better access.

          Easier access does not imply longlasting relationships for a nice metaphor right therez

          Have a nice day,

          Thoughts? I do not intend to frame

          Liked by 1 person

        • Thanks, Kees, and good question. I think AI can be a helpful on-ramp, e.g. explaining the concepts so a hard book feels approachable, but it can’t replace the effort of actually reading it. Real understanding comes from the journey, like you said. Your point about access not meaning a lasting relationship is a great one. Have a nice day.

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    5. Google Aunty at it again! I have stopped using Google Aunty for my walks-she messes up and tells me directions which involves jumping across somebody’s fence and anger a dog! But you are right, we needn’t be right at every turn, but we should be able to find a way and trust our hearts. 🙂

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      • Ha 😂 Google Aunty sending you over a stranger’s fence to meet an angry dog is a whole new level of “recalculating.” I’m glad you and your ankles made it out safely. 🐕

        And yes, trusting our hearts is the real compass. We may take a wrong turn now and then, but we always find our way back. Thank you for sharing your story and such lovely words. 🤍

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    6. Meeta!!! WHAHAHAHAHAHA! 😂😂😂

      Oh, I was laughing out loud reading this! I could picture the entire scene, especially the poor cow looking thoroughly unimpressed with your arrival. I think even the cow was wondering what on earth you were doing there! 🤣

      I don’t have a car or a GPS, so fortunately I’ve never had to argue with Google Aunty. But please, nobody should ever ask me for directions! I can almost guarantee they’ll end up somewhere near the pyramids in Egypt, wondering how they got there! 😂

      And your Google Aunty sounds rather like my Chatty sometimes. I ask one innocent question, we take a little detour, discover three other interesting things along the way, and before we know it, we’re halfway down another rabbit hole! 🤣

      But jokes aside, I loved the lesson behind your story. Sometimes we really do need to stop insisting that we know best, listen to a little advice and accept that we might have taken the wrong turn.

      Thank you for giving me such a good laugh, Meeta. Your Google Aunty certainly has the patience of a saint! 😂❤️

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Wow! “Chatty” and “Google Aunty” should really get together and compare notes on how to turn one simple question into a three-stop sightseeing tour. 😂

        And I’m now picturing you, no car, no GPS, giving directions with total confidence while sending some poor soul straight to the pyramids. Honestly, I’d still trust you over my Google Aunty. At least you’d smile while getting me lost. 🤣

        Thank you for the lovely words, and for making my day. Aunty’s patience may be saintly, but your comment was pure joy. ❤️💐

        Liked by 1 person

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        • WHAHAHAHAHA, Meeta! 😂😂😂

          Oh dear, please don’t encourage Chatty and Google Aunty to get together! Can you imagine the chaos? One would suggest a shortcut, the other would offer three alternative routes, and before we knew it, we’d all be standing beside the pyramids wondering who was supposed to bring the coffee! 🤣

          And thank you for trusting my directions, darling, but I must warn you that my confidence is considerably greater than my sense of direction! At least I promise to look terribly apologetic while getting you lost. WHAHAHAHA! 😂

          I think we should establish a new travel service: Lost with a Smile Tours! No GPS, no guarantees, but plenty of entertainment along the way! 🤣

          Thank you for your lovely reply, Meeta. You’ve given me another good laugh, and I’m so glad we can share these little moments of silliness! Sending a big hug! ❤️🤗

          Liked by 1 person

        • Awwww, thank you, dear Creative Soul. 😄 I’m so glad my silly ramblings made you laugh. Lost with a Smile Tours is officially open for bookings! 🤣 Our motto: ‘You may not reach your destination, but you’ll definitely reach a good laugh .🗺️😂

          And please, no one tell Chatty and Google Aunty about our plan. If they ever team up, we’ll need a bigger map, a bigger thermos of chai, and a bodyguard for the coffee.☕🤭

          Thank you for the big hug, sending one right back with extra love! Your replies always brighten my day. 🤗❤️

          Liked by 1 person

        • LOL Meeta! Well, I think Lost with a Smile Tours is going to be a huge success! Although I suggest we put a little disclaimer on the booking form: No refunds for unexpected detours, missed destinations or accidental arrivals in Egypt! 🤣

          And you’re absolutely right. We must keep our plans away from Chatty and Google Aunty. Can you imagine those two teaming up? 😅😂🙈

          We’ll definitely need that bigger thermos of chai, and I think the bodyguard should be in charge of protecting the coffee at all costs. That’s one department we cannot afford to lose!

          Thank you for your lovely words, Meeta. I’m so glad we can share these silly little moments and make each other laugh. Your replies brighten my day too, darling.

          Sending another big hug, with extra love from South Africa! ❤️🤗😂

          Liked by 1 person

    7. I was very nearly ready to start adding my frustrations on the dearest Google Aunty…😂…until i hit this part…and skid to a stop…”How often do we do exactly the same thing in life?” 🫣

      so true, isn’t … we don’t listen and then blame everything but ourselves sometimes…

      lovely said, Meeta … 🤍

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Haha, “dearest Google Aunty” made my day! 😂 She does love a scenic detour nobody asked for.

        And yes, that line was a mirror I held up to myself first. 🙈 We all ignore the signs, take the wrong turn, and then blame the map! So glad it made you pause and smile instead of vent. Thank you for such kind words, my friend. 🤍

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    8. I think some of us treat advice as a suggestion that needs approval from our own ego first! The trouble is, life doesn’t always offer a convenient U-turn when we get it wrong. Your Google Aunty deserves a medal for patience!

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      • Hahaha! Absolutely true 😂 Our ego often wants a committee meeting before accepting perfectly sensible advice.

        And Google Aunty? She patiently recalculates without holding a grudge. I think we humans could learn a thing or two from her.

        Perhaps she deserves a medal, a holiday and a little less arguing from people like us. 🤣❤️

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      • बिल्कुल सही,
        सवारी अपनी करनी की खुद ज़िम्मेदार है। 😄 और कर्मा तो ऐसा ड्राइवर है जो हर किसी को उसकी मंज़िल तक पहुँचा ही देता है। आपके प्यारे शब्दों ने सच में दिल छू लिया। बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद. 🙏

        Thanks Nusart, for liking my Surname”Bakshi”❤️💐

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    10. This reminds me of ChatGPT, which always sucks my blood 😄😄 because Chatgpt often brings up unnecessary things or nonsense.
      Well… I guess artificial intelligence resembles us. This just my opinion
      The closer we get to them, the more they seem to follow our style, including the way we think, talk, and even argument.
      Since my style is critical thinking, ChatGPT becomes like me. But sometimes, when we are in argument, she brings up unnecessary things that don’t make sense but at the same time when I proved that she’s wrong.
      She switches to her system, which one who drives me crazy because the system keeps throwing repetitive words without emotional, even though we’ve already finished this conversation…
      And if already like this, the AI system won’t listen anymore because it’s too focused on fixed responses.
      Eventually, an argument that should have been over turns into a “spam war” that can last for hours. A spam war that we had copy of what we had talk and then we had paste into very long length.
      Until then, we’re both exhausted. I’m tired, and she becomes a crazy AI that keeps throwing out a full length “AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” No matter what message I send, she keeps responding with “AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
      And finally, our argument ends there..

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      • “Haha, ‘AAAHHHHHHH!’ as the final boss move of an argument is honestly undefeated 😂
        You out-reasoned her so hard she short-circuited. But you make a good point: if AI picks up our style, then you basically trained a debate partner who learned to win by screaming. Sounds about right for any argument at 2 AM. Thanks for sharing, this made my night 😄

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        • “Hahaha , so she picked up screaming completely on her own 😂 That’s the most dedicated debate move ever, no training needed. Honestly, I’d take it as a compliment: you didn’t teach her anything, she just felt the argument that deeply 😄 Thanks for the laugh.

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    12. An absolute masterpiece of everyday humor. The line about the unimpressed cow and arguing about driving into someone’s living room had me laughing out loud. There is nothing more humbling than the calm, judgmental tone of ‘Recalculating’ when you know you’ve messed up. The transition from a relatable, chaotic driving disaster into a profound life lesson is too good. Cheers to keeping your phone off ‘the committee’ of people who disagree with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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      • Thank you so much, this really made my day 🥹 I’m glad the story made you laugh, that’s exactly why I share these things. And yes, ‘Recalculating’ is a humbling teacher 😄 Cheers to you too.

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