ZenView
By Mary Layton
The Journey
There’s a famous Chinese saying : The journey of ten thousand miles starts with the first step. I wish I could paint or draw. But because I want to paint as good as Picasso I won’t even start.
Now, if I would just start with a single, easy step, like enrolling in an art class and learning, little by little about the tools and the paper and how to hold the brush and how to mix colors, I may indeed be on my way to learn how to paint. Expectations are counterproductive. They intimidate and inhibit us. Even writing these words require that I start with the first word. Where do I want my words to go, what will I encounter in the process? This applies to anything mankind is involved with. Building a house, starting a family, playing music or creating a vibrant community or making friends. For parents to see their child take their first step brings them great joy. Like the baby who learns to walk, we can take our first step toward learning something or to fulfill a wish. And like the baby we won’t be so smooth and graceful, so capable right away. But in time, little by little our hard work and perseverance will pay off. It’s all about that first step.
It could be as simple as a click on what interests you in your computer or making a phone call. Or getting that guitar out of the closet and playing one or two notes. Or sticking in the Italian Language CD into your car radio…and you may have started the amazing journey of ten thousand miles.
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