The store’s tyre rows were intimidating. I do not remember tyres looking this big! Especially when they are wide, tall, and at eye level, it is as if one is facing a falling object just before it begins to move! At the end of one row was a door. Even as I acknowledged that it may have been a self-induced phobia kicking in, I could not muster the courage and will to go through that door. As I stood waiting, my mind reflected on the overwhelming walls in my life, along with the elusive doors that I struggle to open.
Courage is essential to living to the fullest. As I listen to others sharing their stories, I hear repeating themes. There are endless walls in life. There are seemingly impossible barriers and obstacles. Life is difficult, even on a good day. Life is challenging, even when we have winds behind us. Life can be painful, even when we have cause for celebration. To move forward with a chance to celebrate takes courage, often more than we know we have.
Opportunities can take time to realise. In this case, it was a dozen steps or so. As quick as I might be, time would still pass before I reached the door and mustered the courage and will to take the next step. Metaphorically, this doorway was easy because there were no consequences at stake. When it is a big decision, all bets are off. I think back to the patience and courage shown by a refugee group taking on a large, well-defended city. In their case, “By faith, the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho for seven days, and the walls fell flat.” (Hebrews 11.30). They marched, persevered, and, ultimately, the walls came down.
Walls, barriers, and doorways are life’s milestones for a journey. Life is found in each step we take. The milestones are memory points taking one back to her/his steps along the way. In this case, the willingness to take steps opened the door to being strangers lending a helping hand.
