STEPPING STONES HELP US NAVIGATE LIFE’S JOURNEY

When I was a kid, my family visited Washington’s Crossing State Park quite often. Our favorite spot was at the base of Baumann’s Hill, on the other side of a beautiful stream.

I suppose it dates me a bit, but in those days, there were no fences to keep you from scaling the side of the large hill (though through my childish eyes, it seemed a huge mountain!), reaching the top, arriving at the large stone structure known as Baumann’s Tower and then climbing that as well, all 124 steps of it, but who’s counting.

It was quite a triumph to gaze out over the vast landscape from the turret and see the vastness of the beautiful area.

To get to the base of the hill, we had to first traverse the aforementioned stream. It was dotted with many rocks of all sizes, making the crossing not only possible, but a lot of fun.

Each crossing was an adventure, and each crossing was different. We had to find just the right rocks to make the goal of getting across with dry sneakers all the more doable. Moreover, there was some planning that had to be laid out to find just the right path, to avoid the wobbly, unsafe stones, and then there was care that had to be taken to implement that perfect crossing.

One misstep and we were soaked. I can tell you, from vast experience, it happened quite often! With each misstep, however, lessons were learned, clothes and shoes eventually dried off, and we lived to plot a new crossing. And more importantly, we learned to laugh along the way.

This is not to say that some of those falls weren’t painful — a scraped knee, a twisted ankle, a bruised ego. Those were the times we had to pick ourselves up, wring ourselves out and carry on.

If you think about it, life is a lot like that crossing. Our lives are filled with missteps, but ultimately, with perseverance, we can get to the prized destination. Sometimes the best step is a step backwards, and then a recalculating of sorts.

Though many of us cringe when we hear that word used by our GPS, it is indeed a good strategy. What is that old adage?: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Had I not adhered to that course of action, I would likely still be sitting in that stream at Washington’s Crossing!

My life is much like that stream. It’s usually calm, peaceful and easily traversed. It’s beautiful and normally serene. But then a storm hits. Torrential rain floods the stream — suddenly, those stepping stones look smaller and smaller, some even seem to disappear under the rushing water, and they get slippery. I would not dare try to cross during these stormy times.

But think about it — those stones, the stepping stones of my life, have not disappeared. They are merely unavailable to me temporarily. With a bit of patience, I wait it out and they re-emerge, allowing me to continue forward.

Everyone has stepping stones in life. Sometimes they are people, sometimes they are opportunities, sometimes they are random acts of kindness … they can be anything that helps you on your journey.

The more stones, helpers, happiness, the easier your path. And remember, you can be a stepping stone for someone else and help ease their journey.

I came across an interesting quote from poet Bamigboye Olurotimi.

He said: “The road may be rough, the journey may be tough, and the experience may be bitter, but they are stepping stones to our future thrones.”

Well said, sir, well said.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Everyone has stepping stones in life. Sometimes they are people, sometimes they are opportunities, sometimes they are random acts of kindness … they can be anything that helps you on your journey.