# Stones on the Path

## Noticing the Markers

Life unfolds like a long walk through open fields. Milestones appear quietly—simple stones set along the way. They mark distances covered: a first job finished, a quiet reconciliation with a friend, or the day worry lifts just a bit. We often rush past them, eyes fixed ahead, but these stones whisper that we've moved. They're not grand monuments, just steady proof of steps taken.

## The Gift of Pausing

Stopping at a milestone changes everything. It lets you look back and see the ground you've crossed, uneven as it was. Gratitude settles in for the effort, the stumbles, the small wins. This pause isn't about dwelling; it's breathing room before the next stretch. In a world that pulls us forward, these moments remind us motion itself is the point.

## Laying the Next Stone

Each marker invites us to place another. What will it be? A habit nurtured, a kindness shared? The path ahead blurs, but the rhythm holds: step, stone, step. Milestones teach patience—they arrive when we persist, turning ordinary days into quiet triumphs.

*On this January morning in 2026, may your next stone shine clearly.*