April 30 2007

Text By Greg Fallis

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Twenty-six centuries have passed since Lao-tzu said that; there's a reason we're still saying it. That first step is impossible without help. That first step is as much about trust as it is about mobility.

With those first steps we learn to trust in others. We learn to accept their support, even while we are eager to do without it. With those first steps we learn to trust in ourselves. We learn to believe in our ability to go where we want, when we want, how we want. With those first steps we learn the pain of failure. We learn the implacable truth of gravity, and that the only antidote to falling down is getting up.

Eventually we learn that over the course of a lifetime we will take many first steps. Some lead to a journey of a thousand miles; some to a journey of only a few yards. With each of those first steps we relearn the lessons already taught. To trust in others, to trust in ourselves, to fall down, to get back up and take another step.