Walking firmly

When I went for a walk today, in the forest across the street where I live in Stockholm, Sweden, I noticed how slippery it was. Even with just snow covering the ground, it must have thawed and then frozen again, while being packed together through the weight of the many sleighs and skis, that people use here. My feet started gliding about a half a dozen times, it became ridiculous, while grateful that I didn't fall. I tried to see a pattern.

I realized two things: First, it was when I was thinking about other things that I slipped more. When I focused on just walking and breathing, being more present, I naturally didn't slide. Second, how I was putting down my feet mattered. I reminded myself of what I had realized in Honolulu, when I walked up a trail that was very muddy and learnt how to focus on lifting up my feet, rather than putting down, changing the emphasis of my walk, to not slip. I tried to do the same here. When I walked slower and more cautiously, one would think that should go better, but it became the opposite! The more I slowed down, the more slippery it felt. When I picked up the pace instead, and walked with a more firm step, my walk became more assertive and with less sliding. It got me thinking - isn't this so in life too? How does a horse walk? Certainly not tripping and hesitating on each step, it puts down one hoof after the other in a steady rhythm. It became my lesson for the day, while not just charge ahead, but still take firm steps towards my goals. Even literally.