IT'S ABOUT LIFE

You know, I don't know why I've been writing so much about shoes lately. But I guess they have just been on my mind. And shoes do, really, remind one a lot about life. Take the shoes I work out in. They are called Sketchers "shape ups". They are really not very attractive. Much like my bland golf shoes. A lot like the dreaded Naturalizers. They are black, leather, lace up (yuk - haven't worn lace ups since I was a child) and very sturdy (like most 80 year old's need). Yes, Sissy, I said like most 80 year old's need.








As you can see, they provide great support and have a very unusual sole. The sole is curved from back to front with a very thick center, in the arch area. Therefore, as one walks, you roll from your heal to your toe, back to front. It is quit difficult to walk backwards in these shoes without falling. However, to warm up, one does roll on the back of the shoe to stretch the back calf muscles.

I worked out last night for quite a while and this morning, I was really feeling the affects of my workout. It made me think about my shape ups. Wearing them is a lot like the way go through stimulating circumstances (as we call difficulties in BSF) in our lives. When things are good, balanced, on target...it is like we are standing upright in our shape ups, centered. You see, one of the benefits of the shape ups is that they not only help tone the muscles, but help with ones posture, keeping the back straight, shoulders correct, etc. in order to properly walk in them. So, if one is just standing in the shoes, you are usually standing in the center of the shoe, the large part of the sole that is thick, supportive, and your shoulders are back and you are standing straight. Things are good. If you are bent backward, you are out of kilter and might stumble or fall. If you are leaning forward, you must be moving and would need to straighten up in order to continue to move or else fall. A very interesting theory.

When stretching, one holds on to a stationary object and rolls onto the back of the heels of the shoe. This stretches the calf muscles. It's like holding on to the Lord (our constant and stable) while we are stretched in the stimulating circumstances of life. But these stretches warm us up and get us ready to move forward. We then, still holding on to the stationary object (again the Lord), roll forward, to loosen up the arches, toes and thighs. All this loosening up prepares us for the future and makes us stronger. But still, we hold on to the constant.

When we let go the stationary object and start walking on our own, the shoe becomes our stableing constant and continues with us as we have been trained to stand upright, stay centered, walk right, focus and know our constant (the shoes that are supporting us - ie the Lord) so that we can be shaped and made strong as we move forward through the everyday trials and joys of life.

Yes, shoes really are a look into a person's life. I guess we do need those bland looking ones in our lives. Though they are not frilly, pointy, jazzy, costly or stand out...we need those Naturalizers that keep us grounded, safe, comfortable and strong...that don't hurt us, but build us up and give us joy and happiness.

So...You go Sissy! Buy those brown pair!

Love,