When I was a child and into my teens I had an autograph book. 

It was the thing to do and it wasn't particularly about getting the signatures of famous people - this was a LONG time before our celebrity culture kicked in! It was more about gathering the names and thoughts of our friends and relatives. So whenever I had the opportunity I whipped out my little autograph book and asked people to sign. 

I was at boarding school when I first started gathering names and so my friends signed, as well as family members, and visitors to our home. Some just signed their names. Others wrote a little joke, some gave me their favourite Bible verse. And others left little sayings which they hoped would help me.

One of those went something like this ...

The future lies before you, like a field of driven snow
Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show

I've discovered over the years that's it's quite a well known adage written by 'Anonymous' or 'Unknown'. There are sometimes slight changes to the wording. Some versions have 'paths of white snow' and 'a field of fallen snow' in that first line but the sentiment is the same.

It's a thought that's travelled with me since I first read that entry in my little autograph book when I was a pre-teen.

Every time I experience snow, even very occasionally in my back garden in Jersey, the strength of the proverb impresses again.

So as we enter 2021 with all it's 'unwritten pages' and every day being a new one, I am once again reminded that whatever I do and however I behave, it has an impact on the world around me. My actions affect others. My behaviours can be selfish, or selfless. I can be a good in the world, or a 'less than good'.

It's up to me to decide what mark my steps leave.

Image by Cathy Le Feuvre