Watch Your Step!

     One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.  Words worthy for sure of a moon landing...but...um...did you hear that these words were actually flubbed?

     Neil Armstrong actually meant to say, "One small step for a man" and not just for all of man.  Big meaning difference!  The "a" was unheard because of the static and instead of conveying how even the smallest step in one's progress can lead to something momentous, it was accidentally conveyed that a seemingly small action by the human race was actually momentous one.

     Both meanings could actually be true for me...or I could just be "stepping" in "it."  I don't think I need to describe to you what "it" is...

     I guess though I should tell you what the small step was.  I tried out of X Factor. Yup.  Me.  I did it.  I uploaded a video audition shortly before they closed on New Year's Eve.  I bought a web cam, came home from work, re-did my makeup and hair, changed my clothes, hung up a sheet for "plain" background, re-shot the thing three times because my voice kept fuzzing out the mic, and did it.

     I had friends try out last season.  Actually go through the pre-X Factor judge cattle call screening with producers.  I honestly didn't get hopeful reports back from the scene.  I wasn't sure I would ever try out.  I thought about the possibility alot.  So, when I got the "tweet" saying the video auditions were open for next seasons competition, something kept nagging at me...

     I did it.  No big fanfare.  Just one small step.  A producer may or may not call or email.

    The strange thing is no matter what happens, I'm okay with it...

    The week before I uploaded my audition, it consumed my every thought.  I practiced my song over and over and planned when my schedule would actually allow for me to shoot the video.  I literally could not think of anything else.  A funny thing happened though after I uploaded the video.  It's like my mind suddenly cleared.  I was able to actually identify what I feel my ultimate path is in life.  What it was I've been aiming for this whole time.  The starfish floating out there in the ocean is clearer and able to be seen with the naked eye.

     I'll give you a hint; it's not performing on X-Factor...

     While that may be a "handy" step up the ladder, and what singer would turn down a five million dollar record contract (I'll tell you right now, not me), singing on XFactor, in it's plainest sense, is not the parking lot at the end of the jogging trail.

     So in taking that step, greater possibility and insight were opened up to me.  One small step for a man, one giant leap...

    Wait...what if I really just "stumbled" on to something instead of taking an actual step.  If you think about it, picture it in your mind, it's all really some kind of momentum forward isn't it?

    I have friends that visit from out of town every year for a music festival.  One of the outdoor venues had a particularly sketchy part of the sidewalk just past one of the bars.  We stood in that location most of the evening telling people "Watch your step!"  Some people thanked us and then they tripped anyway.  Everyone  who was warned went down the path anyway, many tripped. No need for medical assistance though.  They just went about their way.  They were all okay.

    No matter what happens, so am I.  I needed to take that step to stumble upon a deeper understanding of the starfish I am looking for.  There are two thousand variety of starfish you know...

    ...One small step for a man, one giant, glorious stumble for me.

Happy Fishing!

--Red