Perseverance

Just Put One Foot in Front of the Other

There is a Christmas movie (yes, there are lots of Christmas movies) called “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. In it, there is one musical scene where a song called “Just Put One Foot in Front of the Other” (and soon you’ll be walking out the door). It isn’t quite an earworm but I find myself singing it to myself when I am faced with something difficult, terrifying, or frustrating. Guess what? It seems to help. In this, I am not alone as many people find inspiration and solace in music.

Still, this song embodies a true situation. How do we get through the door to inside (or outside)? One foot at a time (or one turn of the wheel on a wheelchair). There may not be much observable progress after that first footstep but it is what gets you to, and through, that doorway.

Perseverance and Inertia seem to be bookends. As long as you don’t move (physically, spiritually, or any other way) then you are “safe” within where you are used to being. You may tell yourself that you don’t like where you are but, as long as you are not moving, you must be sufficiently comfortable. Once you do take that first step, think that first thought, or agree to that first point of advice then you can progress towards your goal as long as you keep “putting one foot in front of the other”.

Often, we start feeling impatience. We want to arrive at our destination as quickly as possible — the old “are we there yet?” situation. Not only is it required that we go from the origination to the destination “one step at a time” but is to our advantage to do such. This gives time to enjoy the journey as well as providing “checkpoints” that lets us verify that we are still heading towards our goal — or to give us second thoughts as to whether we still want that original destination.

But, I primarily start singing the song to myself when I find myself afraid to take that next step. It seems to ease the anxiety by reminding me that it is ONLY the next step. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t even have to be in the “right” direction because there will be yet an additional “next step” and I will have a chance to reposition it.

Do you proceed one step at a time? Do you find yourself reluctant or afraid? Many do, so you are in good company. Remember that all you can do is keep moving — everything else will happen according to many factors, most of which are not even close to being under your control.