A Step

Blog8:  A Step

“Step,” like the verb “turn”, possesses vibrancy.  It is a movement, an action, a process.  Every step we take allows for beginning a worthy endeavor.  Every step we act upon permits us to reflect and check whether or not an impending action generates negative or positive energy.  With that comes valuation from within which prompts us to either end something with conviction or freshly begin over.  Taking a step elevates us also to a “win-win” act of kindness to self and others around us.   We could put an end to a blunder, an error.  We could pursue and promote a fruitful action.

No step taken toward a lingering important decision can gnaw us from within.  It can fester like an unattended wound.  It can take out energy that otherwise could be expended toward a worthwhile thought, action. 

For a long while, half a year now … today … sadly, I’ve put aside calling, writing, taking a step to communicate with a friend. (Someone’s “friend” I prided myself with!)  From wherever or whomever I had picked it up (?) … I had believed this so-called “interaction protocol:  my turn-your-turn roundabout, hypocritical social game” some of us play.  All these out-of-step, stepping aside, stepping out of line stance I took in time, did nothing to help step up a meaningful renewal of bond. 

Today however, I changed courses.  I took a step in the right direction.  I stepped in, and back into life of an aging, long lost friend.  The onset of successful connection yielded a mix of feelings, but mostly, and more important, a joy.  A full hour or so of pleasantries and catching up about life kept us glued.  I discovered her terrible isolation due to circumstances of present life: limited access to communication tools, a communion with shadows, a senseless … defeating fight for existence.  I learned of her fears, of her losing a purposeful grasp of life itself, of situations and influences that brought her to a stand-still predicament of here and now.  I had lined up “things to do”, but today isn’t for any of those.  I sat to listen, to be in step with her every thought, and every word.

Stepping outside of the “busy-ness” of our world, and choosing to go into the world of those that move in and out of our lives, can awesomely surprise us.  A gracious spirit … an unselfish step does grant us timeless gifts of friendship.  American poet Robert Frost rightfully made a discovery of steps: “I took a step less traveled by, and that made all the difference.”

Indeed, just one fruitful step; a festering wound heals.