The Journey of a Thousand Steps
Thoughts and Musings
Hello Readers,
I recently stumbled upon a music track with an intriguing title: “Journey of a 1000 Steps, and you have taken just one.” It was the first time I encountered this phrase, thanks to an Instagram reel accompanied by pixel art—a scene where four people gathered around a bonfire in a fantastical setting. This title struck a chord with me, not just because of its poetic depth but because of the message it subtly conveys.
How many times have we embarked on a task, only to abandon it midway? We often convince ourselves that progress is too slow or that the rewards—fame, success, riches—are nowhere in sight. But how often do we pause to realize that we’ve only just begun? We’ve only taken a few steps on a long journey.
Here’s where the paradox comes in. I call it the Ladder Paradox. The distance between two steps on our ladder might equal ten steps on someone else’s. We might look at someone who inspired us—someone already established in our niche—and feel disheartened. The truth is, every day the world becomes more competitive. There’s no shortage of talent and hard work among today’s generation—artists, writers, content creators, YouTubers, Instagrammers, influencers—all striving for a place in this crowded world.
And yet, our parents lived in a different time, with less connectivity, media exposure, and competition. They valued human connection, character, and integrity. Now, we’re constantly bombarded with information, propaganda, and distractions. We live in a world where governments deceive citizens, and people still cling to outdated ideologies like racism, fascism, and totalitarianism. The internet exposes us to the harsh realities of the world—genocide, injustice, corruption—occurring as we go about our daily lives.
But here’s what I believe: It’s always been this way. From the beginning of time, the world has been a battleground of right versus wrong, truth versus lies. The key is to keep going, to not lose heart. If we stop, if we give up, the other side—those who seek to control and manipulate—will continue to rule our minds and dictate our actions.
So let’s take that next step on the ladder, no matter how daunting the journey may seem. We may have only taken one step out of a thousand, but that step is crucial. It’s the beginning of something greater, something worth fighting for.
Keep going, keep striving, and don’t lose your spirit.
Of course, every generation has had competition. Competition for jobs. Competition for power. Competition for love. Yes, we have billions of YouTubers and podcasters and procrastinators up the yahoo; but the younger generation always believes it has unique problems. I am happy to be a boomer, brought up in a time when the American economy was booming and jobs were plentiful. Still, it was no easy matter to get up on the first rung of the ladder. Employers want experienced workers and those fresh out of school have none. It was a struggle to raise a family. But nothing like my parents went through with the Great Depression and WW II.
You've written a nice essay; but it reminds me of an embarrassing moment in college during the sixties. A professor asked the class what group of women in history changed the world the most. Being a fool, I raised my hand and claimed it was the hippies. The professor immediately smiled and explained about the Roaring Twenties and the flappers.
Life always changes and we must be flexible.