Walk a mile…

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

I’ve never walked a mile in someone else’s shoes. I’ve never needed to, to discern where someone has come from, it’s just something I understand. I could walk beside you on your path forward, or if you like I can take your hand and lead you in a different direction all together. I don’t need to wear your shoes for any of it.

You don’t need to wear my shoes either. I left them behind on the road I had walked up to this point. That path was covered in hard stones, and splinters of glass. The mud was thick and was hard to scrub off. It was easier to discard the whole pair than to try to save them for future use.

My new trail goes in the direction I choose. No footwear is required for walking a sandy beach, splashing in puddles, tiptoeing through dewy grass or stepping upon pillows of moss. I follow along, each Little Victory a stepping stone to help avoid the glass and stones and muck.

Sometimes in life you need a sturdy pair of boots. Your tender insoles need protecting. Other times you need to kick those heavy things off, spread your toes and give them a wiggle.

Don’t walk a mile in my shoes, and I won’t walk a mile in yours. Instead let us walk together. You can tell me about the path you came from, if you want. Even in bare feet I will still understand. And maybe you’ll take your shoes off too. Who wears boots at the beach anyways?