The View from a Milestone

Yesterday ended with a passionate rant to myself, and to my closest friend, about needing help, not knowing how to ask for it, whom to ask, and what specifically I was asking for.  Then, before closing my eyes on the day, someone I had very much wanted to have on my team put her hand out to me. The help is subtle, but real, and it is an encouraging start. 

My birthday just past, and it was a significant number. I found myself sitting on a milestone, looking around. I was in beautiful country, and could clearly see the foothills and desert that I had traveled through, but I was still miles and mountains from the nearest highway. My inclination was to curl up in my tent and sleep, overwhelmed with the vast, unknown territory ahead.
 
I won’t do that. Or, maybe I will… but just long enough to rest, and build my strength to move on through the mountains to the road. I know that if I take one step at a time, I will bridge the distance.
 
I have amazing people cheering me on, and dropping by to walk with me a while. Sometimes, I wish someone could carry my pack for a bit, or add resources to my reserves, or give me a good map. Sometimes I wish someone would travel ahead of me to clear the path, and open doors. I have been knocking by myself, and sometimes I knock too softly.
 
A stranger approached me at the end of my birthday concert last week. She was a stranger, and was brought to the show by a friend. She had never heard of me, but she left that night as a true fan. My music had touched her deeply. She touched me deeply as well. She reminded me that I am on the right road.

It is a hard road to travel alone, but I won’t stop. One step at a time will get me there. I need to trust that, and to remember, that I have always loved the mountains. 

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