Sometimes, when our lives feel like they are falling apart or when we feel stuck in a cycle of failure, our minds try to find order in the smallest, most repetitive things. Katherine Johnson’s words remind us that during periods of intense struggle or waiting, we often turn to the mundane to keep ourselves grounded. Counting steps, dishes, or even the rhythm of our breathing becomes a way to survive the moments when the big picture feels too overwhelming or too broken to face. It is a way of finding a tiny bit of control when everything else seems to be slipping through our fingers.

In our everyday lives, we don't always realize we are doing this. When a relationship ends or a career path hits a dead end, we might find ourselves obsessively cleaning the kitchen or walking the exact same route through the park every single afternoon. It is as if by quantifying the small, manageable pieces of our day, we can prevent the larger, unmanageable pieces from crushing us. These small counts are not just distractions; they are anchors. They are the tiny threads that hold us to the earth when the wind of hardship tries to blow us away.

I remember a time when I felt quite lost, much like a little duckling caught in a heavy rainstorm. Everything felt chaotic, and I couldn't see the path back to my nest. To cope, I started focusing intensely on the simplest tasks, like organizing my collection of colorful pebbles or counting the petals on the flowers in my garden. It felt silly at first, but that rhythmic repetition gave my heart a chance to rest. It allowed me to exist in the present moment, one small, countable piece at a time, until the storm finally passed and I felt strong enough to look at the horizon again.

If you are currently in a season where you feel like you are failing or simply unable to move forward, please be gentle with yourself. It is okay if all you can do today is count the dishes or the steps you took to the mailbox. There is no shame in seeking refuge in the small, repetitive rhythms of life. These tiny victories of presence are the building blocks of healing. As you move through your day, try to notice if you are seeking comfort in the small things, and allow yourself the grace to simply exist within those counts until you are ready to start counting bigger dreams again.