--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some of us are like stairs, one step…" description: "\"“Some of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way.”\" — Amy Tan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/amy-tan-730_stairs_some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-afte_2441750.jpg" --- # Some of us are like stairs, one step after another, going… ![“Some of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way.” quote by Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/amy-tan-730_stairs_some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-afte_2441750.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/amy-tan-730_stairs_some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-afte_2441750.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/amy-tan-730_stairs_some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-afte_2441750.jpg) > ““Some of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way.”” [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life’s journey involves repeated efforts, ups and downs, yet everyone moves toward a common destination. **In simple terms:** Progress is a series of steps, sometimes forward, sometimes back, but always toward the same goal. Key Takeaway Embrace each step, even setbacks, as part of the shared path. Themes growth resilience shared destiny Mood reflective hopeful determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - education - family relationships - health recovery Key Concepts incremental effort collective experience personal development Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay motivated during setbacks? - What common goal unites your efforts? A Different Perspective Progress may be uneven and can feel stagnant at times. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“All of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/all-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-after-another-going-up-and-down/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“Tis no good looking up the stairs, One step at a time and you will get there, Hop skip miss a step, You will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baytrees-bark/tis-no-good-looking-up-the-stairs-one-step-at-a-time-and-you-will-get/) Baytrees Bark > [Hard work is like the stairs And luck is like a lift, Lift may fail sometimes, But whatever may be the occasion, Stairs will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kand3n/hard-work-is-like-the-stairs-and-luck-is-like-a-lift-lift-may-fail/) [Kand3n](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kand3n/) > [The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs... one step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-girard/the-elevator-to-success-is-out-of-order-you-ll-have-to-use-the-stairs/) [Joe Girard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-girard/) > [If the elevator of success is out, use the stairs, one step at time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-reyes/if-the-elevator-of-success-is-out-use-the-stairs-one-step-at-time/) [John Reyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-reyes/) > [If you push your brother down the stairs, he will become your step brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/if-you-push-your-brother-down-the-stairs-he-will-become-your-step/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“Thoughts of some special people are like the stairs, they take you up to the upstairs floors; some are like the wings, they take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/thoughts-of-some-special-people-are-like-the-stairs-they-take-you-up/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Failures take you closer to your aim,they work like stairs for you, each fall makes you stronger than before and with it you reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/failures-take-you-closer-to-your-aim-they-work-like-stairs-for-you/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [“luck is like a lift and hard is like the stairs, lift may fail but stairs will always gets you at the top”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-dhiman/luck-is-like-a-lift-and-hard-is-like-the-stairs-lift-may-fail-but/) Amit Dhiman > [If you start shaping everything you do trying to be in step with whatever is going on in the world, you're often out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ashcroft/if-you-start-shaping-everything-you-do-trying-to-be-in-step-with/) [Richard Ashcroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ashcroft/) > [I don't really take a step back too often to see what's going on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-degraw/i-don-t-really-take-a-step-back-too-often-to-see-what-s-going-on/) [Gavin DeGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-degraw/) > [“I’m going to walk over to you,” I say, taking one step at a time in her direction like I’m talking down a jumper.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katja-millay/i-m-going-to-walk-over-to-you-i-say-taking-one-step-at-a-time-in-her/) [Katja Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katja-millay/) > [It was a big step for me to take, going away from my family to go and play in a different culture, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-duggan/it-was-a-big-step-for-me-to-take-going-away-from-my-family-to-go-and/) [Toni Duggan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-duggan/) > [The first step in going somewhere is deciding you are not going to stay where you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/green-monk/the-first-step-in-going-somewhere-is-deciding-you-are-not-going-to/) [Green Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/green-monk/) > [Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed down-stairs one step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/habit-is-habit-and-not-to-be-flung-out-of-the-window-by-any-man-but-3/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## More by Amy Tan > [So sad! This is the saddest part when you lose someone you love- that person keeps changing. And later you wonder, Is this the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/so-sad-this-is-the-saddest-part-when-you-lose-someone-you-love-that/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Too many good things all seem the same after a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/too-many-good-things-all-seem-the-same-after-a-while/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“bad, how likely is it to come”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/bad-how-likely-is-it-to-come/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Shanghainese people are good negotiators, they're very persistent, and you grow up in an atmosphere like that - very competitive. That becomes part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/shanghainese-people-are-good-negotiators-they-re-very-persistent-and/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [But now that I am old, moving every year closer to the end of my life, I also feel closer to the beginning. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/but-now-that-i-am-old-moving-every-year-closer-to-the-end-of-my-life/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [You should think about your character. Know where you are changing, how you will be changed, what cannot be changed back again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/you-should-think-about-your-character-know-where-you-are-changing-how/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Now you see,' said the turtle, drifting back into the pond, 'why it is useless to cry. Your tears do not wash away your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/now-you-see-said-the-turtle-drifting-back-into-the-pond-why-it-is/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I hid my deepest feelings so well I forgot where I placed them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-hid-my-deepest-feelings-so-well-i-forgot-where-i-placed-them/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“Lebih baik jadi orang yang TIDAK TERLUPAKAN daripada orang yang MEMBOSANKAN -”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/lebih-baik-jadi-orang-yang-tidak-terlupakan-daripada-orang-yang/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [After all, Bao Bomu says, what is the past but what we choose to remember?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/after-all-bao-bomu-says-what-is-the-past-but-what-we-choose-to/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [We all become different readers in how we respond to books, why we need them, what we take from them. We become different in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/we-all-become-different-readers-in-how-we-respond-to-books-why-we/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I was no longer scared. I could see what was inside me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-was-no-longer-scared-i-could-see-what-was-inside-me/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [When I go back and read my journals or fiction, I am always surprised. I may not remember having those thoughts, but they still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/when-i-go-back-and-read-my-journals-or-fiction-i-am-always-surprised/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I am ashamed she is ashamed. Because she is my daughter and I am proud of her, and I am her mother but she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-am-ashamed-she-is-ashamed-because-she-is-my-daughter-and-i-am-proud/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) [Explore all 383 Amy Tan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## More Stairs quotes > [The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs... one step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-girard/the-elevator-to-success-is-out-of-order-you-ll-have-to-use-the-stairs/) [Joe Girard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-girard/) > [I'd think the house was the source of great sadness or pressure. I knew it wasn't. I knew it was just where I lived.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-granduciel/i-d-think-the-house-was-the-source-of-great-sadness-or-pressure-i/) [Adam Granduciel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-granduciel/) > [“We headed down a narrow flight of stairs that ended at a low arch. Beyond the arch was yet another murky room. Did these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawkins/we-headed-down-a-narrow-flight-of-stairs-that-ended-at-a-low-arch/) [Rachel Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawkins/) > [When I go to my health club, and it's in the basement, you have to take the elevator down. And this drives me crazy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/when-i-go-to-my-health-club-and-it-s-in-the-basement-you-have-to-take/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I'm neurotic in the sense that I can have a crowd of 300 people cheering you, applauding you, standing O, but one guy come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-white/i-m-neurotic-in-the-sense-that-i-can-have-a-crowd-of-300-people/) [Wayne White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-white/) > [It is moonlight. Alone in the silence I ascend my stairs once more, While waves remote in pale blue starlight Crash on a white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-aiken/it-is-moonlight-alone-in-the-silence-i-ascend-my-stairs-once-more/) [Conrad Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-aiken/) > [When I saw 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' and Audrey Hepburn was standing in front of Tiffany's in this Givenchy dress, or when I saw 'All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-whitfield/when-i-saw-breakfast-at-tiffany-s-and-audrey-hepburn-was-standing-in/) [Lynn Whitfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-whitfield/) > [A man falls down a flight of stairs and somebody rushes over to him and asks, Did you miss a step? No, he answers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-berle/a-man-falls-down-a-flight-of-stairs-and-somebody-rushes-over-to-him/) [Milton Berle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-berle/) > [Hey Brian! I turned the stairs into a waterslide!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-griffin/hey-brian-i-turned-the-stairs-into-a-waterslide/) [Peter Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-griffin/) > [Reach me a gentian, give me a torch! Let me guide myself with the blue, forked torch of a flower down the darker and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/reach-me-a-gentian-give-me-a-torch-let-me-guide-myself-with-the-blue/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [Shi seh di lift doesnt run run up the stairs and come and if u dnt come quick you not gonna see your son/](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barrington-levy/shi-seh-di-lift-doesnt-run-run-up-the-stairs-and-come-and-if-u-dnt/) [Barrington Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barrington-levy/) > [“Where I'm is one of those stair climbing machines the agent has installed. You climb and climb forever and never get off the ground.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/where-i-m-is-one-of-those-stair-climbing-machines-the-agent-has/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [Whenever my teenage daughter comes down the stairs dressed like a tramp for her date, I think to myself: 'Damn, why won't her mother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry/whenever-my-teenage-daughter-comes-down-the-stairs-dressed-like-a/) [David Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry/) > [A Poem from Edna St. Vincent Millay: Grown-up Was it for this I uttered prayers, And sobbed and cursed and kicked the stairs, That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/a-poem-from-edna-st-vincent-millay-grown-up-was-it-for-this-i-uttered/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [Life tells you to take the elevator, but love tells you to take the stairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/life-tells-you-to-take-the-elevator-but-love-tells-you-to-take-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) Browse all 572 Stairs quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Some of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amy Tan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-after-another-going-up-and-down/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Stairs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-after-another-going-up-and-down/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/amy-tan-730_stairs_some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-afte_2441750.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/amy-tan-730_stairs_some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-afte_2441750.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/amy-tan-730_stairs_some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-afte_2441750.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Some of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way.” — Amy Tan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amy Tan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Some of us are like stairs,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-after-another-going-up-and-down/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/some-of-us-are-like-stairs-one-step-after-another-going-up-and-down/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```