That's what Lao Tzu said, though we've changed it to the journey beginning with a the first step.
There are two different meanings.
Taking the first step of a journey involves will power, determination, action, putting one foot in front of another and moving towards ... or away ... from something ... or someone.
A journey getting started under one's feet means action arises from stillness ... it's contemplation ... praying ... wondering ... coming to terms with what's next.
I understand why the sayings been changed ... we find it hard to sit still.
It's better to take control ... be in charge ... ask for forgiveness rather than permission ... kick ass and take names!
It's harder to wait ... be quiet ... listen ... feel what's right ... be grounded ... imagine what's coming before it happens ... know what's next.
Some days I just don't know how to start.
Getting up, I stumble to the outdoor shower, baptize myself as the sun begins to bubble from the sea and begin to come to life.
With more vigor I walk up the stairs, kiss my sleeping wife, dress, throw the dogs a treat and head for coffee with friends.
Half-an-hour later I'm home, sitting on the Beloved Back Deck, ready to start.
Some days, it's easy ... like the other night my Guardian Angel came in a dream to show me how "Purple Jesus" is made.
Other days ... I have no idea.
I sit and wait.
Then something happens ... a saying I haven't thought of in years pops into my head ... it strikes me as apropos to where Sarah and I are in life so I look it up and ... it's exactly the right thing to think about at exactly the right time.
The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet.
It's our quiet time as ... we wait ... we're silent ... we're listening ... we're feeling for what's right ... grounding ourselves in one another ... imagining together ... coming to know what's next ... falling deeper in love.
Soon we'll be taking control ... in charge of whatever it is ... needing nobody's permission ... kicking some royal ass and ticking off their names.
But it's not that time yet.
It's still the marvelous moments when the ground shakes beneath our feet ... quivering with anticipation ... the same Holy ground Moses stood upon before the Journey to the Promised Land.
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To signify the coming Promised Land, a prophet visited our house the other day. Jonah affirms we're doing the right things at the right time. That's him standing between us.
