Ascension

I've been climbing. I didn't know where, but fastidiously placed one foot in front of the other knowing that this was the direction to head in. At times I faltered. I stumbled. I paused to take stock of what was happening around me and if there were another set of stairs I should be ascending - the answer was no, pull your head in, get moving.

It's been a long and lonely climb. I often shout to others who are battling their own stairs, and they reply, but our voices get swallowed by the empty air between us.

The stairs gradually flattened to a slope, so the progress wasn't as much of a grind. Now I've reached a point.

Not the end.

A launching point.

To where? Unknown.

How long is the drop? Unknown.

Will it be worth it? Unknown.

Will I miss anything when I'm jumping? Unknown.

What do I know? I know that my self-awareness is growing. Self-talk is prominent - a constant internal monologue that is tiresome and revealing and hard, but I know will get easier the more I listen and wrestle and decide. I'm on a journey to accepting my strengths.

I know I'm courageous. I know I can do hard things.

Let's go.