One Step.

They say all you have to do is take that first step – whether literally or figuratively. Take that one step towards your journey. One step at a time to achieve your dreams. One step towards a better life. 

But in some cases, not all steps are the best steps.

One step off the ledge.

One step in front of the moving car.

One hard step on the gas pedal.

One slit of the wrist.

One pull of the trigger.

Some steps we take make us fall deeper and deeper. They encompass our entire being. They push us towards the end – towards the end of our existence. Towards the end of our being.

I have felt these steps far too often. They lay in the back of my mind more times than I would like to admit.

These steps fill my soul with sorrow and remorse. I ache at the thought that these fill my mind. I wish I could say I haven’t gotten close to taking these steps, but the truth is – I have.

I have allowed these thoughts to live. I have allowed them to shake me to my core.

But what I haven’t allowed is for them to end my story.

I have not allowed for these steps to overtake me.

I have not allowed them to become me.

I won’t let these steps become my next steps in life. They may be thoughts and ideas, but they will not become me.

They won’t become the end of my story.

They won’t be the end of me.

I will take the steps that bring me higher. The steps that lift my spirit and bring me joy. These steps may not be as easy for me to take or follow, but they are steps that are needed.

Taking a step forward each day – no matter how small or how slow – is what matters. Looking forward and not allowing a few steps back keep me from moving.