“The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step,” writes the Chinese philsopher, Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching (道德經, Ch. 64). Each step leads to the next. In Chinese, the word translated as “step” is 里 (lǐ). Lǐ can mean “step” or “distance.” A thousand miles seems too long a distance to walk, but we’ve done it in our lifetimes. It is estimated that the average person would have walked 74,462 miles in their lifetime. Lǐ can also mean “inside” or “inner.” It is an inner step, a place inside of us. This can be even more arduous a journey, more difficult a trip.
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