a single step?

On both April 13, 2006 and January 26, 2006, I wrote about The Montorcycle Diaries. Since the concept of a journey has been on my mind, I find it necessary to quote Confucius... "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Lately, In the midst of my journey (which has led me here to NY), I have been considering what single step I took that led me here, to this place and time... Was it when I interviewed for a graduate assistantship and my yearbook experience got my foot in the door, which has amazingly led to a full time position? Or was it when I lived in San Francisco and met a nun who encouraged me to look into art therapy, which led to apply to Graduate school in NY? Or was it when I volunteerd in Brooklyn in 1999 and realized that I would love to be an artist and live in NY? Or was it when I particpated in Americorps and served at an after school program and realized how therapuetic the arts could be in the lives of inner-city youth? Or was it when I did a mentorship program my senior year of high school with my elementary art teacher who also happened to be my hero, who encouraged me to look into art therapy? Or was it when I was in elementary school and as troubled as I was, as much as I thought I wasn't good enough, I found a safe haven in the art room, which ultimately pushed me to become an artist? Or was it with my very first steps as a child, when I also watched my biological mother stucco walls, ceilings and anything else that could be impressed by her touch, who I gained my ability to be creative? Indeed, many steps have brought me here, the first step is impossible to pinpoint, just as it's difficult to describe the expansive opportunities that can be found just around the bend, it's just a matter of time before I take the next step...and the next...and the next.