One Step at a Time: The Unexpected Wisdom of a Stranger
Last year, early spring, I began to notice a woman during my lunch-time walks. She was struggling with a walker, moving slowly and seemingly painfully down the street. Based on her appearance, I assumed she had recently had a stroke. Every day, like clockwork, she took one step at a time. I would often say hello, but her gaze was always directed downward toward the sidewalk, and she would respond with a small nod of her head. I often wondered how difficult it must be for her, and from the glimpses I took, she appeared to be in her early to mid-60s. Yet, despite my curiosity, I would pass her by caught up in my busy, hectic life and thoughts.
As someone who values optimizing my time, my daily walks usually include listening to podcasts, books, or conversations with colleagues. I’ve also practiced meditation for several years, and recently, someone challenged me during a 12-week course to leave my phone at home during walks. The idea was to observe life in the streets and parks, becoming more aware of my surroundings and entering a meditative state. So, over the past few weeks, I’ve been leaving my phone behind.
Yesterday on one of those walks, I spotted the same woman—this time without her walker, yet still moving painfully slowly. I was worried she might fall if a strong wind came along. Without hesitation, I quickened my pace to walk beside her and asked, “Hello, how are you today?” She tilted her head, looked into my eyes, and with a big smile and sparkling eyes, replied, “I am wonderful. I may be walking very slowly, but I am walking.” I smiled and said back "that is wonderful". We continued on our way, each of us lost in our thoughts.
That moment moved me to tears. She expressed pure joy simply from walking down the street, and after a year of seeing her struggle, her words resonated deeply within me. I reflected throughout the day on this simple exchange and realized how, at my age, despite all my knowledge and wisdom, I sometimes fail to fully appreciate how challenging life can be. Some people, through their grace, remind us that work and even family are not as important as our health. I remembered my mother’s words: “Your health is your wealth.”
In the book “The Road Less Traveled,” the opening line states, “Life is hard,” and it truly is. Yet, there are moments filled with pure joy, like the one I experienced yesterday. I feel humbled by this encounter and grateful for the gift of stopping, slowing down, and truly seeing what is happening around me. It was a reminder to slow my pace, to connect, and to cherish the simple, profound moments of life.