Tilt #4 - Take the step...

Sometimes, the road ahead is unclear. Both the proverbial "life road" and the actual street you might be on, like mine in the photo below, just the other day.

Not being able to see far that misty, foggy morning meant, I drove out of my house and into my day with more caution and less speed than usual. There might be obstacles I could not see until I had gotten closer. The turn I needed to take for the next step in my route to work came up a little slower that day because of my reduced speed. Regardless of the conditions, I had to attend to my responsibilities. I made adjustments for my journey, i.e. left earlier, drove slower, was more attentive than normal, and got to my workplace on time. There was no option to simply stay home. Technically though, there was. We always have a choice. But I could not let my external conditions stop me from living. By the way, did I mention that I hate driving?

Ofttimes, life is filled with moments of ambiguity. The fog is so heavy, there is no way to see beyond one or two steps forward. I hate that. I wish I had clear skies all the time so I can see my way plainly. Currently, in grad school, I'm experiencing a lot more confusion than I am comfortable with handling. So many new terms. So many new ways of doing things. And every teacher wants an action plan. How does one even begin to navigate through a brand new country with numerous fascinating sites when one doesn't speak the language or know the lay of the land or even the rules of the place? Does one do the same thing every other newbie does? Is there a particular schedule? What to do first? What to see first? What to learn first?

Annoyingly, the answer is yes, no....and it depends. Sigh. I know. I don't have a clear cut answer. I am the queen of "To Do" lists but I still feel lost. It will take some time to figure out how to live in this new place, in any new place. My journey is uniquely mine. Yours is uniquely yours. The details won't look the same. I cannot be anybody else apart from me. I can copy people I admire but how I do things will always have my fingerprint on them. You can copy results but you can't copy creativity.

What is absolutely clear however, is that I cannot sit in paralysis and fear of the unknown. It sure is foggy out there right now but if I do not move forward, step by baby step, I will never uncover the depth and richness that lie just beyond where I can see. I can reach out to those further ahead in the journey to help me. I will speak to people who have lived in this place a long time, and I will keep an open mind to learn what I do not yet know. Look closely at my photo. There are rich colours beyond the fog.

So, step out, beloved. Keep moving forward. Rest if you must but keep going. The process will reveal the grand plan. You have been created for this.

Proceed. Advance. Press on. It will be worth it.

I am believing this for myself and I am taking my steps, some precise and certain, others inexact and vague.

It's okay. As the road clears up, I will make adjustments. You will too.