Taking the first step

Taking the first step is typically one of the most difficult part of almost any attempts or activities. Toddler taking its first step, kid taking his/her first dip in the pool, maiden open water dive, first business, first attempt to date, first kiss, first intimacy with your soulmate or even taking the first step to write a blog.

I believe all of us agree this daunting task of taking the first step requires great amount of courage. The cloud of uncertainty usually looms when you are about to take the intiative. It is very common for one to slip into a self-doubt mode where there will be an umpteen number of “what ifs” and “serkali” (a colloquial figurative term for “what if”) whiz past your mind. The outcome of these doubts is probably procrastination and most of time “forget about it, I can live without it”. Nevertheless, I must admit that there are also many successful examples that I have heard and experienced where the “serkalis” are miraculously cleared by words of encouragement and guidance by your buddies and mentors as well as by your very own confidence and character.

But I feel the most important lesson that I have learnt pertaining to “taking the first step” is recognizing, accepting and embracing the uncertainties and risks that comes with almost all new ventures. We are often tricked into believing that much of any venture is shaped by that first step we take. This probably explains why so much emphasis is placed on the first step.

Whether that very first step of your great adventure sets you on a sturdy path or leads you to depths of messy swamp or worse, quicksand that leads to destruction, the most important thing we have to learn is to appreciate our experience in our very own adventure.

While stepping into messy swamps and quicksand may undesirably create some negative and lasting repercussions, it is not the end of the world. We should see it as just a step for us to recalibrate ourselves to adapt to the new environment before we hit back on sturdy grounds again. Even a brief experience of the destructive quicksand is much better being immobilized at cross-junctions, unable to make any move out of fear and uncertainty.

I have taken my first step to start this blog about a week ago, how about you?