千里之行，始于(於)足下
(Qiānlǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zúxià)
This saying is ascribed to Laozi, but is perhaps more recognizable for it’s popular English translation: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
It’s been five years (五年?!) since I left a stable university job to go back to school and, more importantly, give this aspiring artist life a go. In the five + years (thus far) of freelancing to make rent, I’ve found myself coming back to this proverb for motivation:
Now, as I’m working on Panda’s Print Shop Kickstarter, and taking the tiny steps toward building my own business, this proverb is as necessary a reminder as ever. I’m very, very grateful to have started on this path (choosing to leave my comfort zone was perhaps my ‘single step’). I also know 🐼🦔 and me have a long ways to go yet!
I don’t believe in overnight success stories (even though I still secretly wish for it!). There are still lots of times I can’t see the forest for the trees, let alone the path through it. But I know I can take a ‘single step’ every day (reading/studying up on comic artists I love, putting pen to paper, sending an email to ask for business advice etc). And I know I’m not alone - my boyfriend, family (even disapproving dad), 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 who’ve chosen to visit Panda’s world - are with me as I journey. So thank you!
Welcome to the journey. Lets see where the next “1 0 0 0 里” takes us!
GLOSSARY
千里之行，始于(於)足下 (Qiānlǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zúxià) Journeys of great distances begin at/under one’s feet.
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一步 (Yībù) One step
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但是 (dànshì) However
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加油! (jiāyóu) Keep it on! (Literally ‘add gasoline’, but used to offer enthusiastic encouragement!)
