Step by step we go,
Balance found in gentle sway,
Trust in each new move.
Instinct guides the way,
Shifting with the flow of life,
Finding ground anew.
Hesitate, then charge,
Caught between extremes we fall,
Striving to hold firm.
Wisdom brings us peace,
Steps aligned with quiet grace,
Walking through the change.
Life is a journey, a continuous act of stepping forward, adjusting, and finding our footing. When we walk, we lean into movement, momentarily surrendering balance only to regain it with the next step. Each stride is an interplay of trust and correction, a delicate rhythm of motion and stability. Some adjustments are intentional, a conscious shift in direction. Others are instinctual, like catching ourselves before a stumble. This ability to compensate, both mindfully and reflexively, allows us to navigate the terrain of existence. But not all paths are smooth, and not all adjustments lead us where we intend to go.
Yet, when we overcompensate, we lose our natural rhythm. A sudden misstep sends us lurching forward, and in our panic to steady ourselves, we take exaggerated strides, overcorrecting until we are no longer walking but flailing. Fear might cause us to step too cautiously, hesitating when we should move with confidence. Anger might push us to charge ahead blindly, trampling over our own needs or those of others. The world around us is full of unseen forces—family expectations, societal demands, the weight of past wounds—all shifting the ground beneath our feet, throwing us off balance before we even realize it. And so, without awareness, we are walking in extremes, veering wildly between hesitation and recklessness, caution and compulsion.
But walking is an art, and balance can be reclaimed. Discernment is the steadying force that restores our natural pace, teaching us when to quicken our stride and when to slow down. Instead of lunging forward to escape discomfort or dragging our feet in avoidance, we learn to move with intention. The path beneath us may always shift, but with awareness, we step with purpose—placing our weight thoughtfully, adjusting without overreacting, trusting that stability is not found in rigidity but in fluid, mindful motion.
By mastering our steps, we cultivate a grounded presence that benefits both ourselves and the world around us. The more we walk with awareness, the more we find ease in life’s ever-changing terrain. When we learn to move with wisdom, we no longer stumble between extremes but instead find our own steady rhythm, walking forward with grace, wherever the path may lead.
This is my Journey
– Nate Long “Owl”