Watching a baby learn to walk is pretty incredible. They have only been around for a year, can’t say more than a few words and is still astounded by things in life which we now take for granted. Slowly but surely, they walk along couches or tables. Then they use your hands for support. Eventually, standing on their own in the center of the room they take the first shuffle of a step that will eventually develop the infant into a toddling adventurer. But what happens after that first step? Two things: a face plant and applause.

To us, taking a single step, especially so small, is almost laughable. But to someone who cannot walk, the smallest step is worthy of great celebration. Parents, myself included, go nuts over that sort of thing, both because it is exciting and it serves as encouragement for the little one to keep trying. It is the cycle of nurturing that grows a baby step into a walker.

When we think baby steps relating to our own lives and achievements, it signifies a small step toward a larger goal. Often, we are happy with the progress, but disheartened that the steps are small. Sometimes, this mentality can push us toward giving up because we compare the small steps to the entirety of the journey. We push through, trying to sprint ahead using baby steps and when we inevitably fall, we question if we should even stand back up again.

We can learn from the literal baby steps. Every step a baby takes is celebrated because we know that each step builds toward something greater, yet has to start small. When we are working through baby steps in our own lives, we ought to celebrate them as much as a child learning to walk. The baby steps we take toward our goal are exciting, and if we lose sight of the accomplishment and are only happy with the completion of the project as a whole we will live disappointed, unfulfilled lives.

Instead, live joyfully; celebrate the baby steps.

Pax,

-Paul Hart Cochran