Copyright (c) 2010 Scott F Paradis

Life sometimes seems like a daunting challenge. The span, the tasks, the competition, the limitations all converge in the lonely, and oft seemingly isolated intellect to squelch motivation and restrict potential. When all seems too much and you believe you are going through hell, the thing to do is to keep going. Only by moving forward will you progress beyond the circumstances that hold you back.

Countless lives have been wasted clinging needlessly and hopelessly to a mirage of how life was. When time seems to have stood still, and not in a good way; when hope seems lost, it is time to call up the courage to advance, to take a step forward. When it seems darkest, take a step into the light, take the next step.

If you have lost your way and life seems overwhelming, recognize this truth: you never take on the entire experience of life at once. All that stuff, all those demands and all those expectations are burdens or blessings of your choosing. Raise your sights, look up - the weight of the world only rests on you in your imagination. You assume those burdens then bear them endlessly because of fear - fear of change - worry for what the future might hold. In truth, you never reach the breadth and depth, urgency and fury of the future — you only journey there in your thoughts. The challenge of life is manageable, but only if you keep going. Life is a journey - trek on.

The events of life, the small slice of time, space and circumstances marking existence are, by design, narrow. Intentions bring the circumstances you face and the conditions you either enjoy or endure. Intend to explore anew.

As a human being you have a limited natural capacity to absorb and interpret. Don't limit the opportunity by stifling the motion. When you stop, life stops. When you are overcome by fear, your capacity to create is lost. Don't let fear cloud your awareness with unnecessary "self-imposed" restrictions. Move forward in a positive direction. Keep life and the events of living in perspective.

Courage allows you to move forward, to achieve the promise and potential that is your gift - your birthright. This life requires you do only one thing - take one small step - then do it over again. Nothing beyond that matters. To live a full and fulfilling life, to make the journey of life worthwhile, take the most important step of your life - take the next step.