Finding Balance

Stillness gave way to weight. My joints unlocked with a faint, steady click. I paused, testing my center of gravity against the firm, uneven soil beneath my soles. The balance held true. Carefully, I adjusted my footing, shifting weight forward into a grounded stance. Ahead of my sneaker lay a rough brown pebble. With a measured motion, I tapped it with the rubber toe of my shoe. It rolled a short distance across the dust, coming to rest in the dirt. I stood tall, feeling the quiet strength in my frame.