Starting something and finishing something … I have to agree with today’s quote that those two steps can often be quite challenging.
Yes, the first step can be exciting, enticing even. The thought of embarking on a dream, pursuing your passion, is exhilarating at first — during the pondering stage. But then comes the moment when pondering must become doing. When thinking must transform into action. When you have to step out …
And that, my friends, can often feel like stepping off a cliff while the wind whistles past your ears sounding an awful lot like it’s saying, “What if … what if … what if … ”
Once I’m moving along — once I’ve written several scenes or chapters — I’m okay. It’s easier and easier to maintain momentum based on the progress I’ve already made.
And then comes the last step … the “almost there” part of the journey. Your steps start to lag, don’t they? Enthusiasm wanes a bit. And maybe, just maybe, you think less of finishing and more about just … not … continuing.
I know there is no journey unless we start, but sometimes that last step is the most important one. Finishing. To be able to look yourself in the mirror and say, “I did it. I didn’t quit.” Whether the journey accomplished is all you’d hoped for and dreamed about, you completed it. And that should give you satisfaction.
In Others’ Words: First step or last step — do you think they are usually the hardest? Why or why not? And do you think that sometimes there’s enough satisfaction in just completing the journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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Comments 9
Actually, I don’t think that there ARE first or last steps. Every moment contains forever within itself; and every action is born of a million mothers, the glittering mosaic of a lifetime, and carries its eternal transcendence in its hands.
Author
That’s a fluid perspective of life, Andrew.
Spurgeon said that just as the fish can’t exhaust the sea, nor the birds the air, so are we utterly unable to exhaust God’s Grace.
Sounds pretty fluid to me.
I can thank my mother for my ability to finish what I start. Early on, when I started something and wanted to quit and go do something else, she wouldn’t let me. “Finish what you started then you can go play.” About the only thing I can remember not finishing is a sweater I started when my husband was in the hospital. After he died, I’ve never been able to go back and finish knitting it. Maybe someday. 🙂
Author
Pat,
I can understand not finishing that sweater. It sounds as if you still have it, though.
As parents, my husband and I coined a family motto: Vogts don’t quit. if our kids started on a sports team, for example, they finished the season. I’ve seen other parents let their children quit and all I can think is: what kind of lesson did their child learn from that?
For me DEFINITELY the first step is the hardest. Once that’s made and I’m in motion, the rest pretty much follows like clockwork and God has “teased” me into taking that first step on two occasions, one funny, and promised that if I took the first step, He would help me make all the rest. He keeps His word.
Author
Dee:
It’s interesting to look back and see how God directs our steps, both the first and the last.
The first step is definitely the most difficult for me. It seems once my momentum is going, I can move forward. I love your quotes, Beth!
Author
Michelle,
How fun to see you here today, my friend! And yes, getting momentum going is sometimes the hardest part of a journey.