A step at a time

Let’s start this with a little look back in time. 

 

Yes, I know it’s been the way I’ve been doing things recently. 

 

Perhaps there’s a new rhythm in this. 

 

It is a way for me to be mindful of where others have come so I know that I can come along, as well. 

 

If I remember to take things a step at a time, then the progression of things seems doable. 

 

Here a little and there a little. 

 

This came into play for me in a few easy ways. 

 

Easy, you ask? 

Okay, let’s start with one easy way. 

 

There is a tree in the south part of our yard that has needed a bit more support than the others next to it. 

 

It split down the middle after a thunderstorm a while back. 

 

I found it almost toppled over in the morning and thought it was going to need to be removed. 

 

Then I lifted the split half up and wondered if one more thing could be done. 

Would the tree live if we reattached it a step at a time?

Would the tree live if we reattached it to the main trunk a step at a time?

 

Brandon was game so we began. 

 

We learned what needed to happen, gathered the tools and started. 

 

First, we watched videos from others who had gone before us, those who knew what to do. 

 

Then we added screws to pull the tree parts together. 

 

Finally, we hoped that the tree would recover from the sudden jolt to continue growing. 

 

It is now about five years after that storm and the tree has grown around the long metal pieces that were added for strength. 

 

The large branches are reaching out even longer than before.

 

Bark is almost covering all of the evidence that shows we needed to be a part of its growth.

 

This tree has a resilience that astounds me.

 

It did indeed grow one step at a time. 

 

I can hear your question about it being easy as you’ve come along this first part with me.

 

Was it easy for the tree to come along this way? 

That is a great thought to sit with, my friends.  

 

Let’s go into another space where a progression was taken to see what happened there. 

 

You will see that there are three models of planes in a picture here. 

 

Each one changes in small ways to increase how an actual plane could fly one day. 

One step at a time to increase the likelihood that future success could happen.

The designers took it one step at a time to increase the likelihood that a future success could happen. 

 

I think about each one of those steps at times when I think my step in front of me is not going to make a difference in the big scheme of things. 

 

Did the plane designers have doubts along the way? 

Was there a goal deeply embedded in their soul that they knew the trajectory was going to create success? 

 

What I have come to know now is that each moment may seem small and yet it is moving forward. 

 

Creating long roots from any age may be the way to keep each step going along the way. 

 

These planes now show me how a progression is what can come for me. 

 

The first one is a glider from 1900. 

 

Then came the second in 1902 with more changes after that with the third plane. 

 

Did more changes come? 

 

I also consider that these are not the gliders that can be made from a few items you can find in your house. 

These were meant to hold a person. 

 

Yes, it seems that more changes were indeed made as I fly with many others high into the sky. 

Can you see that each step in time brought strength?

Can you see that each step at a time brought strength and ideas from where they started? 

 

It has also brought me this thought. 

 

The progression of life goes the way it goes. 

 

Trees grow the way they do, even after being torn in half. 

 

One idea for a glider became how I soar into seeing clouds and next destinations. 

 

Taking what comes next a step at a time is what I can sit with for now. 

 

Letting this space be where I become mindful of what is here keeps me aware of what I am going to do next. 

 

Think about one step in your realm. 

 

Perhaps it will become a dance we can share together.