The Forgotten Staircase
Somewhere In Italy
I love photographing old staircases and alleys that are off the beaten path. They have so much character, each filled with stories we could never imagine. A few years ago, while traveling in Italy, I came across these steps—weathered and timeworn yet still standing. It remains one of my favorite photographs. I enlarged it, and now it hangs in the loft we call home.
The Staircase We Don’t Notice
It reminds me of the staircase in our lives—we don’t even realize we are climbing until we pause, look back, and see how far we’ve come. They don’t have to be massive concrete and granite steps like these to impact our lives. Sometimes, the small, quiet, and persistent steps inch us forward, eventually bringing us to a place we never imagined.
The Invisible Climb
When we climb in this way—without realizing the ascent we are making—life’s biggest shifts begin to happen. Even if we don’t feel movement or even feel stuck at times, we often fail to recognize that we have been climbing all along. Through all of life’s challenges, we continue to rise.
“By perserverance, the snail reached the ark.”
Charles Spurgeon
In the Berkshire Botanical Garden
Recognizing Your Own Journey
Sometimes, the stairs are gradual—just one foot in front of the other—but they are necessary for our journey to continue.
About a year ago, I started sharing my work with the world. But this moment was preceded by years of fear that held me back, convincing me that it wasn’t my place or my time to put it out there. I always felt like my efforts would be kicked back to me.
This journey of creative courage reminded me of Austin Kleon’s book—Keep Going, which encourages artists and writers to embrace persistence and small steps. [Check it out here]
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Today, I know there are more steps for me to climb. The difference now is that I am proud of how far I have risen when I pause and look back. There is joy in seeing my progress, and that gives me the strength and inspiration to continue the climb. Each step brings me closer to the kind of world I want to live in—a place where I feel I truly belong. Now, I can clearly see where I am going. Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, speaks to this process beautifully—learning to trust our creativity and take the next step, even when we can’t see the whole path. Discover it here!
The Met Cloisters—New York, NY
“We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.”
Henry David Thoreau
Where Are You on Your Forgotten Staircase?
Where in life have you not recognized your progress? How far have you come without noticing? If you haven’t taken the time to reflect, this is an excellent opportunity for a pause—a chance to acknowledge what lies behind your hidden ascents. A gentle reminder layered with hope: you are much higher than you may think.
Wherever the top of your staircase may be right now, take the time to turn around and see how far you’ve come. Appreciate the journey that brought you to this point. Don’t worry so much about the destination—keep putting one foot in front of the other. Your staircase in life doesn’t have to be as steep as you think it is!
Oliver Burkeman’s—Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals explores how we perceive time and progress, reminding us that every step matters. [Find it here}
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Winston Churchill
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Talk soon…
G