Start at the Very Beginning

 

There are a few weeks left in the year, and I find myself ready to start at the beginning. 

 

This may surprise you even as I say it.

 

Yet let’s go into this realm together as I share how it came to be for me. 

 

Every day can bring a chance to look at it in a few steps.

 

Recently I was reminded of it as I looked at a place on this path. 

 

The wooden boardwalk was discovered after going through a gate, walking on grass then turning a bend in a road to find the first steps opening up. 

 

There were some open spaces between boards at times and then a sudden moment when the trees provided shade. 

Starting at the very beginning is why I came.

This is when I remembered that starting at the very beginning is why I came to the next open space to pause and be still. 

 

While I loved being in the shade, being on the open boardwalk is where I truly felt my beginnings coming back to me. 

 

Days of walking along with others came back and sat with my starting point again. 

 

Take a look at the small open spaces and imagine filling them in with a needle pulling thread. 

Sure, we could add a bright patch of cloth and then a quilt would come together on the boardwalk.

 

It reminded me of when I was taught how to embroider as a young girl. Pulling a thread through pieces of fabric to practice then creating simple crafts. 

 

I thought it was fun and something to do with friends and a few in my family. 

Starting at the beginning was the key.

Starting at the beginning was the key, my friends. 

First, get the thread through the needle. 

 

Yes, to every success in that step! 

 

Next was to follow the design and stay on track to complete the project.

 

What I then realized is that the wood itself had known how to create a quilt on its own. 

 

Look ahead and you can see that there are colors already sewn in with gray, brown, white and dark borders. 

 

If we can also pay attention to the edges, we will see that even the tall grasses have provided a new texture and more rich colors. 

Starting at the beginning on the day is how I saw all of this.

Starting at the beginning on this day is how I saw all of this and got ready for what came next. 

 

As the path opened up to provide a space to be still, I was able to recall one more time and the people who were there with me. 

 

Reflect with me about a time the people and stillness had come together for you. 

 

Here are your 30 seconds to think about that time when starting at the beginning was important.

 

The silence alone is worthy to be heard every single time. 

 

Now, let’s go forward together. 

 

Think about your open space. 

 

Each beginning with those in my spaces has looked different in the past.

Coming together to share and learn with people who wanted to create similar outcomes.

 

This could look like being in a group while learning how to be still and looking at what comes next. 

It could also look like being with people who know what my beginning has been, know what my story is now and are able to be with me as we all look into possible places to create and learn. 

 

Then there is a space when I listen, watch and become someone who is there to be alongside others to create with them. 

 

Perhaps there will be more ways to start coming!

 

Here’s what I know now. 

 

Starting at the very beginning could be coming back to what I know, walking along a well-worn path and always looking up to see beautiful designs with the people in your spaces. 

 

Find what you know and begin again. I’m here for what you imagine!