Dancing on the Edge
When are difficult things easy? Can difficult things be easy?
When are great things small? Can great things be small?
In Chinese prophet Lao-tzu’s 64th verse, a translation reads:
“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
Do we heed these words? I wonder.
As a tower starts with one brick, a tree grows from one seedling, so does a journey begin with one metaphorical swing upwards, allowing momentum to take flight. Perhaps, difficult things can begin easy, great things start small.
As I begin a journey of a thousand miles, I have mixed feelings: excitement and elation, terror and fear. I feel as though there are ten-thousand miles to go. Yet, I have begun. I’ve taken a step forward, small and great; easy and difficult.
With each swing I take, I feel excited and vulnerable. The uncertainty of potential outcomes haunt and drive me forward. Most days, I am driven and inspired with a vision to contribute and influence change in my world.
I’m dancing on an edge. I'm on an edge of something quite familiar. Change. I'm on the edge of something new. In reality, the metaphorical swing up is a turning-point decision to move countries and go on a career adventure, family in tow.
Change isn’t new to me yet, the experience of this particular change is new. Suffice it to say, there are difficult things and with that, great things on the horizon. With every move I make, one deliberate and determined decision at a time, I dance on an edge.
I dance on an edge between fear and excitement, terror and elation. I acknowledge the fear. The fear reminds me of what I want and don’t want. And, what drives me onward and forward is the hope and excitement of seeing a vision come alive. With each new change, I am driven to lead: to create, innovate and build. With each brick and seedling come great and surprising new experiences, relationships and rewards.
Life brings change. I’ve learned that facing each path of a change journey one decision at a time helps me meet the difficult with resolve, the great with reverence. The adventure continues to elevate me, and ground me as well.