Step by step

Imagine seeing a large mountain in the distance as you are walking. It looks big and strong and solid and impenetrable. As you walk closer to the mountain, it looms larger and larger. Once you get right up to the base of it, however, something interesting happens. You get so close to the mountain that you cannot see the whole thing at once. All you can see is a path sloping gently upwards. Yes, there is a bit of an incline to the path, yet it is certainly within your ability to walk up it. The path does not go directly up the mountain, but traverses back and forth on one face. It will certainly take some effort to work your way up the path, and yet it is something you can do if you choose. It will take some time and energy, but it can be done. And when you get to the top, you’ll know without a doubt that it was well worth the effort. The view will be magnificent. As an added bonus, whatever spot you see from that vantage point is an easy downhill journey.

Life’s challenges can be the same way. When you consider them from a distance, they seem to be insurmountable. Often, when you look more closely at those challenges they can appear even more difficult and complex, and it’s difficult to imagine yourself working through them. Just as with the mountain, though, the thing to do is to walk right up next to that challenge. When you do, you’ll see that there’s a clearly defined first step that will get you started on moving through the challenge. And that first step is one you can easily take. Go ahead and take that first step, and the next, and the one after that. One by one, your actions will move you steadily through whatever challenge you face.