First Step Taken

"La distance n'y fait rien; il n'y a que le premier pas qui coute."
- Madame Marie Anne du Deffand

Translated: The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that costs.

Our first steps in life vary by age, events and circumstances. When we are first learning to move forward, there will always be a first step required.

It is one step that sets us upon a journey.

Look to the Bible story from the Garden of Eden in which Adam and Eve are banished from the garden. Genesis 3:21-22; The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."

They were banished from the garden, to work the ground outside from which they had been taken. Life was never the same for either of them or for the world. Adam and Eve now had to take those first steps from the garden. Once outside, they had to do something, a journey for the ages; a journey for all of our existence.

It began with first steps taken for those yet to come.

A child is born and generally will begin to walk anywhere from nine to twelve months of age. At that age, think of holding oneself up near a coffee table, looking across a huge room to a toy siting on a small table. The distance is great for such a small child but a first step towards the toy is needed.

With each tentative step, the distance becomes shorter.

A teen reaching graduation in high school, begins looking to a future away from home. It might be college, work or other options but each is planned with a mind for leaving home. Those decisions go through their mind with an uncertain future painted with so much possibility.

With a hug or goodbye, the future embraces them.

Each thing we do begins with that first step taken. Our journey in life, a dream turned into a goal or a vision of things possible require the first step. With never knowing our outcome, we step forward and begin movement towards something.

Away from the old and towards the new light...that first step.

Stay inspired my friends.