One cold night, a traveler found himself lost in a thick fog. The path ahead seemed invisible, every step filled with uncertainty. All he carried was a small lantern whose dim glow reached only a few feet forward. He wished it were brighter. He wished he could see the entire road at once.
But he had no choice. He took a small step, guided only by the small light he had. And when he stepped forward, the light moved with him, revealing the next few feet. Then the next. And then the next. Eventually, step by step, he made his way out of the fog.
When he finally reached clear ground, he looked back in amazement at how far he had come – never seeing more than the next few steps but trusting the lantern nonetheless. It hadn’t shown him the whole journey, only the part he needed in each moment.
Life rarely shows us the entire path ahead. We often want clarity, certainty, and the comfort of knowing everything in advance – but most of the time, we only get enough light to take the next step. It can feel frightening and unnerving, but it’s also how growth works.
If we wait until we see the entire road, we may stand frozen in uncertainty. But when we start walking with the little clarity we do have, the next piece of the path appears. Courage isn’t about knowing every twist and turn on the road ahead; it’s about moving forward despite not knowing.
Sometimes, major breakthroughs begin with a small, imperfect step taken in the dark. Trust the small lantern you’ve been given – your intuition, your values, your inner sense of direction. It may not be bright enough to illuminate the entire future, but it’s always enough to guide you through the moment you’re in.
Your life unfolds one step at a time. Keep moving forward even when the path is unclear, and the fog will part as you go.
Inspired by the teachings of Rebbe Nachman (1772-1810)
