The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. ~ Carl Jung
Starting early this summer, I had to think about shoes quite a bit. There were three weddings to attend and I also needed a pair of comfortable sandals. When I was young, I loved buying shoes, and, in fact, had a passion for nice footwear. At this time of life, though, it is definitely more of a chore. I still admire beautiful shoes but it definitely isn’t about how beautiful they look on me. The number one criteria is that they have to feel comfortable.
Finding the right fit in shoes is a lot like trying to find the right fit in life. For some of us, it takes a lot of trying on. When we’re very young, our parents, and others responsible for our care often talk to us about what we want to become when we grow up. Unconsciously, we get the message that we aren’t already who we should be. We spend a vast portion of our lives “becoming.” Being comfortable with what we are or doing in the process of becoming is often left out of the equation. It’s in the same kind of way, perhaps, that we learn for ourselves when we’re much older, that comfortable shoes are much better for us. It’s often a process of trial and error. “This is a hard lifelong task, for the nature of becoming is a constant filming over of where we begin, while the nature of being is a constant erosion of what is not essential. We each live in the midst of this ongoing tension, growing tarnished or covered over, only to be worn back to that incorruptible spot of grace at our core.” (Mark Nepo)
It’s nice to know that the job takes a long time. This means there is hope for us all. Watch out for those holes and bumps in the sidewalk when you’re wearing your stilettos and you’re feeling the pinch! Hope you enjoy the shoe collages!
