Daily Inspirational/Motivational Quotes - Inspiring/Encouraging Quotes #16 Lao Tzu - Journey

Daily Inspirational/Motivational Quotes - Inspiring/Encouraging Quotes #16
Lao Tzu
Journey

Laozi (also Lao-Tzu /ˈlaʊˈdzʌ/ or Lao-Tze, Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ, literally "Old Master") was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions.
Source

Source

I suppose creating a legacy for oneself that lasts for thousands of years would count as success.

This guy is considered a legendary character though he was thought to have actually existed around 4th-6th century BC.

Because his words have been spoken throughout so much of time many of us have heard a lot of his quotes before.

This one in particular has been spread far and wide.

I imagine most of you have heard it.

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”

I would like to couple this statement with one I have been taught from a mentor of mine.

That is, "The hardest step is always the first.".

Every journey in life, every idea we start or thing we do must begin somewhere.

You must take that first step.

Source

Often times we will hesitate when faced with a journey.

Sometimes we will even back down and never start the journey because of our fears of what will be.

The thing to remember here is that there are no such thing as bad or good choices... Only choices.

Source

No bad or good experiences, only experiences.

There is a Taoist story I feel is appropriate here.

There was an old farmer that had worked the crops for many years. One day, his horse ran away.

His neighbors heard and came to visit. "Such bad luck." they told him sympathetically. "Maybe." Said the farmer.

The next morning the horse returned. With it were three more wild horses. "How fortunate you are." his neighbors told him. "Maybe" said the farmer.

The next day his son tried to ride one of the wild horses. He was thrown and broke his leg. "What bad news." said the neighbors. "Maybe" replied the farmer.

The following day the military came and drafted all the young men of the village. When they saw his son's injury they did not take him. "How fortunate you have been." said the neighbors. "Maybe." replied the farmer.

Each one of these situations was looked at by the neighbors as either good or bad. The farmer only saw situations.

You see, each experience you have is merely a step in your path.

Source

It is not your fate.

The more you learn from each step the better prepared you will be for the coming steps.

Even when the worst of all things happens, it is still only a step on your path.

It is nothing to fear because it is guiding you forward.

We scare ourselves for no reason. We tell ourselves all of these what ifs.

We convince ourselves not to take the first step in so many areas of life and that is what makes the first step seem so hard.

Once you have taken the first step, every step after becomes easier.

If you let your fears prevent that first step then you will be allowing fear to be your guide.

With fear as your guide your path will be dismal and depressing.

Source

Once you begin to realize that there are no good or bad decisions, only decisions.

No good or bad experiences, only experiences.

You will know that there is nothing to fear but fear itself.

Then you will be able to take that first step gracefully knowing that whatever comes will come and that is your path.

Knowing that today is the first day of the rest of your life.

That only you can decide what to do with it.

Always remember what Lao Tzu said centuries ago...

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”

Take that first step!

Start your journey!

Thanks for reading.
Michael David

Other places you can find me:
Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Etsy

Previous posts in this series:
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15