Giant Steps

I’ve had John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” playing in my head randomly for the last week or so, popping up at moments of taking literal gigantic steps. This started one evening when I had to step over the meditation cushion, a huge pillow, and then an ottoman to get to my window in order to close the blinds for the night. Three giant steps.

Very basically, “Giant Steps” is built on a 16-bar melody, the first half is a series of falling thirds, the second half ascending thirds. Down steps, up steps. It deserves a deeper analysis but for my purposes today we’ll leave it at that. Maybe I’ll let my brain toss it around when it pops up for the umpteenth time. The important parts to note are the title of the song, the image of giant steps, and the thirds/threes.

I’ve been taking giant steps!

Getting back to the three giant steps to get to the window, it is remarkable to me that I can do it! In fact, I haven’t bothered to move the three obstacles because I’m tickled that each evening I can traverse the path. Remember how slowly I had to move in order to get out of bed after this most recent surgery? NEVER after any surgery could I take large steps, always left with so much pain, always reduced to tiny steps. These new giant steps are huge!

This is all part of my working through Big Tab Three.

The three big steps to the window are symbolic of this work.

I’m also noticing other giant steps I’m taking in life, AND the mirroring in my family. Just as I’m unfurling more and moving towards resolution and completion, so are they, everyone feeling the freedom to move into New, Different, Bolder.

Here are some examples from just this week:

1. My son registered to be an exhibitor at the country’s largest BrickFair event later this summer. He’s going to display all of his custom tank builds along with a collaboration build he is working on with Aaron Newman. This is wildly bold and different for him. Giant Steps.

2. My daughter participated in the talent show at camp yesterday. She got up on stage in an Elsa dress and sang “Into The Unknown” from Frozen 2. Her own idea, huge audience, and she rocked it! She’s 5. Wow, those were some giant steps!

3. David, my Yes, And-er, procured a second living space for us near our daughter’s farm school (it is an hour away) so we can more easily navigate her days at school starting in the Fall. It is a giant step in helping her be her best at her favorite place, eliminating the need for very early morning drives. It also provides a place for us to spend the days enjoyably and productively. Thank you, David!

4. My Shoe Fairy Shoes arrived. My BFF held me to ordering them so I did it and now I’m starting to play around in them. I have an old foot injury that looks like this. 

It leaves me having to be VERY selective of which shoes I wear, including everyday shoes. Heels are basically impossible for me so this is a giant step in figuring out this major obstacle. While my steps while wearing the shoes are teeny tiny, the commitment is giant. This signifies a major step in embracing my new goal and working through Big Tab Three.

5. Another piece of fully embracing my new goals is happening today – David and I are attending the Mile High Pro IFBB show. Not only will I get to watch and learn, but I’ll get to meet my coach in person! This is another step towards turning my “someday” into “now.” Giant Steps.

6. My son has reconnected with other boys in the neighborhood and it has turned into a daily bike gang/hang out at my house thing. I love it! For him, he’s out moving and socializing, and for me, I know where they all are and I’m enjoying hosting everyone. Normally I’d ask them all to go play someplace else in favor of quiet recovery time, but now, working through Big Tab Three, I’m welcoming everyone and stocking my fridge with food to share. This is a giant step for both of us.

7. Our Challenge Of The Month Club challenge this month is a giant step. I’ve always wanted to do exactly that, so why not now?

8. In general, we all feel the release of the tight hold of my physical restrictions spilling over into our daily lives. Three years is a long time to wear this noose, necessitating giant steps to break free from it and the identity that comes with it. Not just for me, but as a family. Those giant steps look like this now.

• Nobody is tied to the identity of “family that can’t participate right now.”
• Everyone can branch out without limitations.
• I’m no longer the lid that limits but rather the pedestal that lifts.

Giant steps are everywhere right now.

It is exciting to notice and compare to where we’ve been. It encourages me to keep going, that we are so close to the end. It reminds me to reconnect with my goals of Big Tab Three.

And, because of it all, I’m NOT going to move those three bedroom obstacles. I want to relish those three giant steps every day!

Thank you, John Coltrane!

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