Small steps and big river crossings

On a beautiful late summer Sunday, I set out on my usual walk along the urban trails in Fort Worth.

My favorite section of the trail is crossing the Trinity River using the large boulders strategically placed from bank to bank. I feel like a kid again, and there’s something about being in the middle of the river and hearing the water rush around the stones that is both calming and invigorating.

As I headed down to the river crossing, I passed two older women in their 70s sitting on the rocks at the beginning of the pathway down to the river.

“I wish I had the courage to walk across those rocks,” said one as I passed by. I’d later find out her name was Eve.

Without any hesitation I stopped, turned, and said to her, “It’s easy! C’mon! I’ll guide you.”

“Really?” Eve said. Her entire face lit up with a childlike exuberance.

“Of course,” I said. “You can do it, and I’ll be with you for each step.”

We started out slowly. I showed her the foot placement from one rock to the next and then she followed. We made it across the river and took a celebratory selfie. Eve was beaming.

And then she took off solo back across the rocks. Before she made each new step, she gave a single clap of self encouragement. Clap-step, clap-step. Any fear or hesitation she showed before was now gone. Eve booked it across while I stayed on the other side filming her journey with my phone. 

I recrossed the river to meet up with her and her friend and show them the video. She was radiant.

“You had such charisma and a sweetness about you that made me trust you,” she said. “You were so patient with me.”

Wow. Such a gift to have that reflected back to me.

I texted her the video and our selfies, we said goodbye and then continued on our separate ways. But the significance of the experience stayed with me for the rest of the day.

What a metaphor for life. I’d been feeling really frustrated that I wasn’t making quicker progress on reaching some of my big goals. Eve taught me the little steps lead to life’s river crossings. Those steps add up, and then, before you know it, you’ve reached the other side. 

Many times fear holds us back from taking those first steps. Having cheerleaders (and sometimes guides) can help us put one foot in front of the other … until we’re confidently doing it solo, clapping ourselves on.