As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.

If Lao-Tse is right, and “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” then it logically follows that Rumi is also right and that “as you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”

It doesn’t matter that Lao-Tse lived in the 6th century BCE (if he existed at all), or that Rumi was a 13th-century poet in Persia. Both were philosophers making observations about the paths we all tread in life.

Whether you are walking a clearly marked trail or forging your own way, you will find your way toward your goal as long as you are moving forward (however slowly) and paying attention to your path.

One step at a time.

One step. Then another.

Just as you can’t see around a bend in the road without moving forward to where that bend is, so you can’t necessarily see a clear path to your goal and where you want to go. But as you move along the path, it will reveal itself to you.

This Rumi quote reminds me of the “leap of faith” scene from the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Indy steps off what appears to be a steep ledge in an attempt to walk across a deep chasm . . . only to find that he has landed on a walkway that isn’t obvious.

Real life can be like that, complete with bad guys and drama, though none of it looks quite as dramatic or dire as what is in the movie scene.

The path is under your feet. It will appear as you begin to walk on the way.

You are there, perhaps at the start of your journey, or somewhere in the middle where the way isn’t entirely clear. Maybe you are in the messy middle of writing a manuscript. Maybe you are in mid-life and considering whether you are on the right career path.

When you go ahead and take a step, the way toward your goal will appear. The next scene you need to write may reveal itself (in life, or in your manuscript).

It may be in a slightly different direction than the one where you started, or even require you to pivot, but it will make itself clear if you keep your focus on your goal and take that step.

One of my core beliefs is “if you can dream it, you can do it.” For me, this doesn’t mean only that you can reach your goals and achieve your dreams; it also means that if you have a dream, it was given to you for a reason.

As an example: I do not dream of jumping out of an airplane, or going to outer space. Those dreams are valid, but they are for other people.

My dreams are more of the “I’d like to visit Angkor Wat” and “I’d like to be able to pay off my kids’ college debt” variety.

What are your dreams? I’d love to know. Please comment on this post or send me an email!