Taking It Step by Step, Uncovering the Beautiful

24 May Taking It Step by Step, Uncovering the Beautiful

“You don’t need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” (Martin Luther King Jr.) These words I have taken to heart, as I started to work on a home improvement project that would take time and effort. Recently, I decided to rip up the carpet off our stairs. Our stairs curve around from the bedrooms upstairs to our lower level family room. There was some oak peeking out of the corners. I was envisioning finishing the steps and possibly putting a runner up the middle of the stairs.

The boys helped as I gathered the tools to start the revamping. They were excited to assist in ripping and hammering. When we began, I did not know what to expect. I watched YouTube videos on refinishing stairs, asked my brother-in-law his opinion and thought about all of the Home Town and This Old House episodes watched on TV.

The first step was gathering the tools. The second step was having a tentative plan on how to move forward with the revamping. The third step was being able to change plans if our way did not work. As we started, we learned it took effort and strength to rip the carpet off the stairs. Then, we had to put extra effort into getting the tack boards out. The boys would cheer once we got a section done. They said at one point, “Mom, when you are focused you can do this.” There were times when I would get at a stopping point and would have to refocus. I shared with them that sometimes when things are hard, I put my disappointments and negative energy to a task and that helps power through. As I refocused, the steps became easier to tackle one step at a time.

As we worked, some of the steps turned out to be beautiful oak. Some steps were unfinished pine, while other steps were a mixture of pine and oak. The colors were beautiful in their natural shades. Now that we knew what was under the carpet, we could think of ideas to refinish and make the steps refreshed. It was hard work and it took time to persist. It helped to have Spotify on listening to our favorite tunes. Our musical style ranges from Earth, Wind and Fire to Kenny Rogers. We always have it on shuffle, so we can be surprised at what song will start at the ending of the previous song.

Taking the first step in anything is something we all have to do. Whether it is in our careers, hobbies or in our day to day. At the beginning of anything, we have to gather what we need, plan and be able to change as things progress. Just like uncovering our steps and finding the unknown beauty, we can find our way by uncovering and taking steps in our pursuits. Sometimes it’s easy, while at other times it is hard. There were points were I was covered in dust from removing the floor padding. It was having the mindset of seeing past the challenges and taking the next steps.

One of my goals is to continue writing, home decorating and creating decorative items. The past couple of years, I have taken steps to pursue writing and creating. Some of the steps have been self-taught, while at other times I have reached out to others to help on this creative journey. “Surround yourself with the best”, is wise wisdom I heard at a conference. I have pondered that and have held onto that truth of learning from others. I am grateful for the tribe of friends that are the best. They support me in my pursuits, encourage myself to continue on and offer insights on what has worked for them.

This week I lost my balance and tripped as I was walking to my car. (Graceful, right?!) When I reached my car, I knew my phone was no longer in my pocket. My mind started to race thinking of where it could be. I had to retrace my steps and think back to the path I walked earlier. As I was looking in the grass, I saw the black, rectangle cover shining in the sunlight. There are times when we have to retrace our steps and think of where we’ve been and use that to help us move forward. I think of the words of Lao Tzu, “The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step.”

May we seek ways to step out and try new things. May we remember the steps taken to reach our goals. May we take one step at a time and see the beauty in the day to day.