The sky outside is light again

You're at the starting line again. The wind's a little strong. Your shoes don't quite fit.

That's okay. Starting over has never required preparation. Nobody's ever been ready for it. You just wake up one morning, discover the old road doesn't go anywhere anymore, and tell yourself — fine, I'll find another one.

Not every new beginning is dramatic. Sometimes it's just a freshly poured cup of tea, a different route to work, a deep breath followed by "let it go." All of these count. All of these are brave.

You don't need to see where the road ends. You just need today's step to be one inch farther than yesterday's. Slow is fine. Hesitant is fine. Sitting down halfway through to rest — more than fine.

Here are a few words to keep in your pocket for when the road gets long:

• The sky outside keeps brightening, morning after morning. So do I.
• The shoes by the door keep changing — each pair walked a different road.
• My hands were shaking when I packed, but I tied my laces anyway.
• I don't know what tomorrow holds, but today I want to try.
• The water in my cup went cold. I poured myself a fresh hot one.