I confess.  I love shoes.  Pointy toes, black boots, flats, kitten heels, sandals, cowboy boots, buckles, lace-up, cut-outs, zippers, grommets.  Years ago when my children were very young, they lined up all of my shoes in pairs – from my closet, down the hallway and into another room.  They laughed at me because I loved every single pair!

Recently, I’ve become acquainted with an old friend who wears very sensible shoes.  Actually, I’ve known her all of my life, intimately.  You may have a similar friend, a.k.a. your Inner Critic, Gremlin or Naysayer.  Dare I step out of my box wearing sandals on a cool day or a brand new pair of boots for walking in the city, and her voice can be heard clear across the street “Wait just one minute.  Who do you think you are?” or “Does the word ‘blister’ mean anything to you, or ‘hypothermia’?  She’s right you know; the discomfort from donning a new pair of shoes can be well, painful.

Here is what I’ve also learned: Sensible shoes can be downright boring, if not paralyzing.  The question is:  How do we stretch and find our way to what’s possible, while at the same time honor the voices of our dear old friends?

I do love my old friend, as she’s kept me safe and loved for all of these years.  But I’ll be damned if I wear sensible shoes all the time.  Sometimes we need to make space for different voices, new friends… impractical shoes.

Now isn’t it time you took those gorgeous heels out of your closet?

photo by Nina Weinberg Doran