Take a Step

Nature has a way of helping me to strive to be better.

On my hikes I always marvel at the majestic beauty around me. The tall and straight trees, amazing mountains, and inspiring waterfalls always instill in me the desire to do better.

A few weeks ago we stopped by Smith Rock (East of Sisters Oregon) on the way back from a weeklong vacation. I was caught up in the majesty of these tall and imposing rocks with a picturesque river winding through them. 

I saw steep switched back trails up the sides and I know many people go rock climbing there. Unfortunately it was too hot that day for me to do much more than just hike down to the water and back up again.

But as I stood at the base of Smith Rock and looked up I thought about what it must take to climb those rocks. How can people do that?

The answer came to me…one step at a time.

We all strive to do new things in our life; some of us have natural abilities and others have to work harder. But we can all try.

And that trying comes one step at a time. It may be a small step or a large one. 

But striving to do more, be more, and accomplish something in life begins with a single step forward.

Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone.

Shannon L. Alder

What is it you want to do? What is it you want to be? 

Make a plan and start.

Take courage and inspiration from nature around you. A single wildflower may grow quickly or a tall tree, deep ravine, or mighty rock structure may have taken hundreds or thousands of years.  

For you it may take a day, week, month, or years and years to become what you want to be…but start now.

Everything worthwhile in your life starts with a choice. 

A choice to move forward one step at a time.