Last week, I was chatting with Chizzy, and I asked her how she developed such a deep interest in poetry, enough to earn national awards and recognition. I’ve never been a poet myself; I know nothing about the craft. There’s no clear origin for her passion either, apart from a few cousins who dabble in it as a hobby. Her response completely caught me off guard.
“It all began with a pencil, a notebook, and an emotion I didn’t yet have the words to express. I didn’t arrive at this point all at once, it was a slow journey. I just kept writing, line by line. Every single step counted.”
And that became a topic of an essay for me.
Truly, every journey begins with a single step, but what truly shapes the journey is the persistence to keep moving forward.
EVERY STEP COUNTS is more than just a phrase, it’s a reminder that progress, no matter how small, has meaning.
Real growth often happens quietly, in the small, deliberate choices we make every day. Waking up on time, taking a deep breath when frustrated, lending a hand, practising a skill, writing a line or two of words, or simply showing up when it’s easier to stay away. These steps may seem insignificant on their own, but together, they build the foundation of success.
Think of climbing a mountain. You don’t get to the summit in a single leap. It’s a series of careful, steady steps, sometimes forward, sometimes sideways, sometimes even back, but always with the goal in sight. Each step teaches balance, builds strength, and tests determination.
This principle applies to everything, personal growth, relationships, learning, health, and even healing. Progress isn’t always visible at first, and the results don’t come overnight. But with consistency, even the smallest efforts accumulate into something powerful.
Here is my message to every child and youth.
You don’t have to take a giant leap. Just one small honest step is enough. It can lead to a change you didn’t think was possible.
Forward is forward, you must not have everything figured out. Show up, ask for help, try again after a setback and trust the forward movement.
You might feel nervous, uncertain, or even scared. That’s normal. Take the step. It could be something as little as getting out of bed, choosing to forgive or asking for forgiveness, sending a message you’ve been avoiding, going to an outing and so on. It’s all about being willing to take a step forward.
So whether you’re trying to reach a goal, overcome a challenge, or build something new. Remember, EVERY STEP COUNTS. Keep going. Keep stepping. You’re moving forward, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
