I've been thinking about how long some journeys take, which is simultaneously a reflection on where I want to go relative to where I am now, and where I am now relative to where I've been.
A concrete example of this would be how I've developed the skill of facepainting.
First time painting anyone's face: 2007
First time painting my own face: 2013
First time painting my face for reasons of my own: 2017
First time painting my face for reasons of my own that didn't involve Halloween: 2018
But it wasn't until this year that I would consider facepainting an actual skill I had. And along the way there have been many supporting activities that I worked on, that I didn't necessarily think would lead me here - painting on canvas, doing makeup, costuming, watching others facepaint (notably the show Glow Up), and pushing myself toward greater spontaneity and creative freedom.
It's reassuring, looking back, to see that things I didn't know would add up - actually do. There are so many things I do now, that are likely the supporting activities for future skills, abilities, and versions of myself. I may have little to no clue, and it may take close to forever, but I've learned that allowing life to unfold is a sight to behold.