Taking That First Step

    That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind......Neil Armstrong





     Two friends posted the above picture on Facebook this week.  When I saw this the first time, I thought of the people I know who are ready to or have recently stepped out of their comfort zone to start something new.  A daughter going back to school after many years;  a grandson starting a new job; another grandson heading off to Europe; a friend, a recent widow, having to make steps to a new way to live; a brother having to decide how much to grow his business; and a sister making a life changing decision.  There are others - actually too many to note.  Every day, someone tells me of a change they need to contemplate.  And each life episode starts with one step, literally or figuratively.  These persons are my heroes.  I define heroism as an ordinary person doing something extra ordinary.  Stepping out is extra ordinary.  Making that decision to go ahead - no status quo - and try something new.

    Back to the baby chick picture.  I love the way its tiny wings are out for balance and he is stepping out on one foot and precariously on tip toe on the other.  The photographer had to be pretty close to the ground himself to get this perspective.  And the way the light creates a glow around him and its almost as if we can see right through him.
     Anytime we start something new, there is a glow about us.  Is it our enthusiasm shining through us?  I think so!  I have enjoyed  all of the times we've traveled, knowing we'll be going to a place we've never seen and looking forward to whatever experience lies ahead.  Love, love,  new adventures.  And what balances me?  Faith.  Family.  Friends.
     Another thing about the above picture, anyone who has had chickens knows that that little guy above was not alone, just out of the picture was certainly another, larger chick, as in mother hen?   Most of us have someone watching over us.  Someone who "mother hens" us.    Someone who balances us.  If we're lucky, it's a spouse or a sibling or if we're really lucky, both.    I read one time that the word encourage means to be courage for one another.  Boy, have I had a bunch of encouragers, balancers, mother hens.  I am blessed.

     What is really ironic is this little 'step' picture appeared at the same time as the announcement of the passing of Neil Armstrong,  the first person to step onto the moon.  Talk about an adventure.  Stepping on the lunar surface for the first time.  A true hero,  an ordinary person - he describes himself as nerdy - who had the courage to step out and step up to step "on the moon",  Pretty impressive.