On Saturday afternoon I ran into the coffee shop for a “jolt” and struck up a conversation with “Wayne.” Wayne was almost 80, had 7 children, 20 grandchildren and 3 great grandkids. He has had a colorful, productive life working in all the construction trades from plumbing to roofing to drywall. I asked him what he thought was the most important message he shared with his children. He said he taught them to be a stepping stone and not stumbling blocks! We chatted almost 45 minutes and I felt like I had met a messenger from the heavens! I wonder what are the different ways we could talk about our movement through life and finding our way through. There isn’t a Google map with specific directions. It is much like crossing a rapid stream with only some stepping stones to make our way across. We need to find our own way, each at a different part of the stream.
So, at times we do make a step forward and find, as we test the footing, that it isn’t a safe place for us. In this case, it’s wise for us to return our weight back to the place where we last had sure footing and from there have another look for the best way forward.
To me, that doesn’t seem like failure, foolishness, or ‘backward’ movement. It seems like wisdom, to reach out and test for solidness. And, when we get information that it isn’t safe, it is wise to return to a stable place to reassess. Of course, it can be that the unstable stepping stone could be used as a launching pad to another place which may be bigger, more stable, and so we may still choose to take that risk.
So, as you contemplate this analogy and start your week, think about the ways we step through life that are more supportive of each other and that signal that we care about each other. Be today’s stepping stone! Next up are some tidbits and tales from the trail!
LMA Newsletter of 2-21-22
