Why the Smallest Step Forward Can Change Everything
Where the wind pulls and the sea stretches, a single step can change the story.
Have you ever stood at the edge of something – where taking the next step feels like the hardest, yet most important, thing to do?
I found myself there, quite literally, on a cliff in France. The sea stretched endlessly below, the wind tugged at everything around us, and the stakes were high – exactly the kind of creative risk I’d always dreamed of. But for the first time, I wasn’t doing it alone.
For years, I’d been a one-woman band – writing, directing, and managing every detail myself. It was efficient and showed both me and my clients what I was capable of. But as I started assisting on big-budget film sets, something shifted. The dream to lead a full crew grew louder. I wanted to create something bigger, something collaborative – something I couldn’t achieve alone.
So, I pinned it to my vision board, envisioned it during my meditations, and then turned those dreams into action.
Honoring the Space, Embracing the Challenge
Filming on that cliff wasn’t easy. Securing permission to shoot there was a challenge in itself, as the location is known for being a place where many people end their lives. It’s a vulnerable and deeply significant space, and I wanted to approach it with the respect it deserved.
Because the film carries a positive message – and because suicide prevention is a cause that’s deeply personal to me – the mayor eventually gave us the green light. That “yes” was more than just approval – it was a reminder of the power of storytelling to bring hope, even in the most unexpected places.
Standing there, I felt the weight of the space. It wasn’t just stark or empty; it was alive with stories – some filled with pain, others with resilience and hope. Emily Brontë’s words seemed to echo in the air:
“There is a spot ’mid barren hills / Where winter howls and drives his storm, / And daily into silence steals / The dreaming soul, so wild, so warm.”
Her lines captured the moment perfectly. Like the dreaming soul Brontë describes, I felt both the vulnerability and the warmth of being in such a powerful place, creating something I hoped would inspire others to hold on, even in their hardest moments.
A Reflection on “Cliff” Moments
As filmmakers, as artists, and as humans, we all have our “cliff” moments – some steeper than others. They’re the times when the pressure feels overwhelming, the path ahead is unclear, others might question your choices, and the leap forward feels terrifying.
But those are also the moments where we grow the most. While we may not realize it right away, when we dare to take the risk, trust ourselves and those around us, and lean into the unknown, something extraordinary can emerge – something we never could have planned for.
Standing on that cliff reminded me that creativity, like life, isn’t about complete control. It’s about daring to let go and letting the unpredictable elements shape something even better than you imagined.
Behind the Scenes
This week, I released a behind-the-scenes episode about that shooting day on the cliff. You’ll get an exclusive look at our first day on set, meet the amazing team, experience the challenges we tackled, and see how every effort turned this vision into something unforgettable.
(P.S. Every Wednesday for the next nine weeks, a new episode of the BTS series for Mind of Thoughts will drop on YouTube. Subscribe to my channel and join the journey!)
Your Own Cliff
Here’s what I’ve come to understand: the edge isn’t a place to fear – it’s a place to begin again, to take that first step toward possibility, growth and transformation.
Have you ever felt that push and pull of fear and hope, pulling you toward a step you’re not sure you’re ready to take? I know that feeling well – and truthfully, I still face it more often than not.
If you’re currently standing at your own edge – whether it’s a decision, a career shift, a creative risk, or a moment of profound change – remember this: even the smallest step forward is progress.
That first step might seem insignificant, but it’s “the one” that starts the ripple. Progress begins with the courage to move, even when you don’t know exactly where the path will lead.
Because the edge isn’t where things stop – it’s where new possibilities begin.
With love for the art and the process,
XO Char