small steps

"A little 'pschtt' on its leaves and there's the plant ready to go out into the world. You look at it with a mixture of anxiety and hope, you know how fragile life can be, you worry about accidents but, at the same time,  you are satisfied with the knowledge that you've done what you were supposed to do, you've played your nurturing role: you feel reassured and, for a time, things feel safe. 

(Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog)

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"There are a hundred paths through the world that are easier than loving," said Mary Oliver, "But, who wants easier?" And I thought to myself, "Sometimes, I do."