Beware of Ill Fitting Shoes

Our pre-nap-time ritual at my house looks something like this:

If you look very closely, you can see my foot and leg squished between the cushion of the couch and all 'my kids' (my other leg is on the floor). Two of the kids sit on me and the third squishes in at the end of the couch. Our Senior Cats loves these cuddlesome moments and you will often find him squished between the cracks of all of our combined bodies and he settles in and soaks up the body heat.

Anyway ... one of these cuddle days consisted of two of the three kids sitting on my lap, without socks. I couldn't help but stare at the perfection of those little toes.

Toes that had not yet been squished into ill-fitting shoes. Toes that had not conformed to a pointed toe shoe. Toes that had not borne the brunt of high heels. Toes that had not run a marathon. These were simple, but happy kid-toes.

I couldn't  help but think of these little bundles of perfection that are born into this world. When they come into our lives, they are little bodies of innocence that have not been expected to conform, fit in, bear the brunt of any life dramas or high expectations. They are perfect in their innocence.

Then life happens. 

We mold them into imperfect human beings and we have high expectations for them to meet. We cajole them to eat and sleep according to what we think is best for them. We dress them up, take them out and expect them to behave in a manner that pleases us. We raise them within our imperfect homes and do our best to bring up 'good citizens' that can take on the world outside of our homes.

Then comes daycare, school, extra-curricular sports and outings, friendships, work, relationships and the list goes on and on. Within each one of these experiences lies the possibility that the 'fit' may not be good. It is human nature to want to be liked and accepted ... so we mold ourselves to fit within uncomfortable people, places and 'things'.

If we are raised within a 'comfortable pair of shoes', we recognize a good fit and that is what we are attracted to and bring into our lives. If our 'shoes' have always been uncomfortable, we don't realize that they were supposed to be comfortable all along.

The perfect beings that we were in the beginning become imperfect. Not because we are not beautiful or smart or successful or un-typical in any way, shape or form. We are not perfect because that is what a human being is. Imperfect. 

When you try to fit into shoes that are not comfortable for you, think of the perfect little toes of small children. Strive to keep those toes comfortable ... in every walk of life.

I am not saying to stop trying on new shoes. Simply beware of those that are still uncomfortable after you give them a fair chance. Perhaps you could try walking barefoot for a while and simply feel your way through.

It is possible to walk comfortably. Even after the damage is done. In fact, one appreciates comfort even more ... after experiencing a lot of discomfort.

These feet have done a lot of walkin'...

Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in every walk of life. Look for comfort in your life. You deserve it!