start climbing the ladder,
beginning the painful journey.
the bottom rungs.
disillusioned.
deflated.
despairing.
defeated.
depressed.
feeling less uncomfortable,
with each step up.
the middle rungs.
disappointed.
doubtful.
discombobulated.
defiant.
discriminating.
closer to the trees, to the clouds, to the sun.
closer to your destiny.
the top rungs.
driven.
dedicated.
decisive.
delighted.
dauntless.
not always an easy climb.
but important to keep going,
rung by rung.
work your way up from the bottom,
through the murky middle,
all the way to the very top.
you can do it.
rung by rung.
until it’s time to step off.
what emotional ladder are you currently trying to climb?
on which section of rungs do you find yourself?
*******
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Getting through this spring’s busy season was like climbing a ladder, rung by rung. The events were great but there were moments that felt like the ‘middle rungs’ you described. It also made me stay present and focus on what I needed to.
The answer: taking it step by step to get through it, as you put it. Great advice, April!!
thanks for the real-world example, susie. inspiring to hear that you stayed present and focused.
I love this short but sweet post. I’m in various stages of the rungs in different areas of my life. I’m flying high in some and straining to get through that murky middle in others. Thank you for articulating the journey so perfectly as always April!!
i definitely know that feeling, april – different locations on the ladder in different areas of our lives. thank you for your always welcome input.
Ah yes, the murky middle. It’s the doubts and disappointment that tend to send me back down to the bottom rungs. So important to just keep climbing with determination to the decisions and delight.
This post reminds me of that old poem I read in Salinger: “Climb Mount Fuji, oh snail, but slowly, slowly.”
love the haiku / literary reference, cathy!
Beautifully written! I am in various stages in different parts of my life. Whenever on the bottom or middle rungs, I always try to keep in mind that the top rungs aren’t that far away and all I have to do is keep moving. It makes it so much easier to move forward (and upward)!
yes, cathy, i just realized the same in my above response to april. a good reminder – “the top rungs aren’t that far away.”
Wow April – how did you know?
I am ready for the next rung or maybe just to stay on this rung for a little bit.
❤️❤️
I’m not sure I ever step off the ladder. I fall off. And it hurts. Badly.
I’m currently climbing upward and onward! 🙂