Thought for the Week
It took a while to break them in. But I finally did. And by now they were the most comfortable shoes I’d ever owned. So I wore them longer than any shoes I’d had before. I knew them, they knew me. We were buds.
Or so I thought.
One day, my shoes and I went walking in the California foothills. After an hour of scrub oak-dodging and coyote-spotting, I headed downhill. Very downhill. Before I knew it, I was running way too fast—any attempt at stopping would send me flailing face-first into an arroyo.
Near the bottom, I finally regained control. But then my shoes betrayed me. My foot twisted and I collapsed, ankle ligament ripped clean in half.
“You’re duck-footed,” the podiatrist informed me, “which means your feet turn out. It’s the opposite of pigeon-toed.” No wonder I walk like Charlie Chaplin, I thought. And then he pointed at the soles of my shoes. Sure enough, the inner edges were barely worn, while the outer edges were cellophane-thin.
“But I broke them in,” I deflected.
“Yes. And then they broke you in.” He prescribed treatment and advised me to: “Choose the right soles (in my case, wider) and replace them when they wear unevenly—before they start to wear you!”
Habits do that. Even good ones. Routines, schedules, memorized patterns. We take the trouble to form them, most of which (not all) are useful. At first. But then they take over, unseen, and begin to form us.
Two examples:
Eating quickly seemed like a good idea when, at your first job, you had ten minutes for lunch, just enough to time to swallow a balogna-and-jelly sandwich and a Twix bar. Whole. Not so good, now that you’re middle-aged, and on a date at a classy restaurant. With a rumbling acid-stomach, and a gut that refuses to stay hidden under the tablecloth.
“You never let me finish talking!” your significo or soon-to-be-ex-best-friend complains. “You think only your opinion matters!” But it made so much sense when you were a teenager and it was the only way to get a word in edgewise among your circle of hyperactive, un-snubbable buddies. So you formed a habit.
And then it formed you.
Revisit it. Rethink it. Reshape your behavior patterns, lifestyle, character. Choose the right soul and replace it when it wears unevenly.* Maintain it ruthlessly. Monitor it vigilantly. And when it starts to wear you…
Change it!
Wonderful ♥️
Thank you, Caleb.
It’s a good message and all…but a balogna-and-jelly sandwich?!
The old whatever’s-in-the-fridge special.
Good one!
Thanks, Lori!
Yeah. Eat slow and don’t interrupt. Two habits i’m still trying to learn.
;>)
It was peanut butter and Spanish onion but, despite that slip, wonderful post! As always, Mitch.
Thanks, Gail.
Uh, yes, Sir!
“We would rather be ruined than changed
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die.” W.H. Auden
Nice!
Thanks, Ana!
Thanks for the advice, Mitch. I think I better buy shoes more often. 🙂
Wonderful share, Mitch!
Thanks, T!
You’re most welcome.
Good advice, Mitch. Never is more sad than a old dude with a foot neuroma struggling to walk. That would be me.
Oh, my, can I relate to this! The not wanting to change from comfortable shoes, and eating too fast. Although I blame that on teaching, and trying to finish before kidlettes began wandering into my classroom.
Ah, the life of a teacher!
I’m duckfooted like my dad. So, maybe genetics has something to do with it? But I am guilty of eating too fast. Also, bologna and jelly?? No wonder your tum rumbles!! 😮
;>)
Great advice. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Cari.
I do have a few soles that need changes. Also a soul that could use some changes as well. Thanks for the advice.
🤣
My pleasure, Sheryl.
If the shoe fits…
Very wise
Thank you, Jean.
Great post!
Thank you! (I don’t seem to know your name, btw.)
My name is Melissa.
Pleased to learn your name, Melissa.
Ahh I’ve been more concerned about my soles rather than my soul. Great reminder and thankyou.
My pleasure, Iba.
Good advice, Mitch. And jeans are the same as shoes. By the time they’re comfortable, it’s time to buy new ones. 🤷♀️
Sadly, yes, Sandy.
Wow, I’m so sorry that happened to you. I’ve had the uncontrollable run down a hill before, and it’s not fun! I like your advice – changing habits. Nothing comes to mind right off the bat, but I KNOW there are things I need to change. *Galatians 5:1. I’m going to give this some serious thought. Thanks!
My privilege, Maddie.
Sound advice, Mitch. I am trying to break my old habit ( acquired during my teaching days) of inhaling food!
Best wishes.
I can relate, Chaya!
I love this, Mitch. My leftover habit from childhood came from eating dinner at a table of seven (five kids, two ‘rents) every night. “Clean your plate!” was the command that still echoes in my head to this day.
Wow, I can understand why!
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So many times we are unaware of those things that shape us while we think that we are getting better.
Thank you for this advise.
Thank you for this amazing words. I will definitely look inward and see what things have formed me and if they are good at all
These*
Wisdom, Mitch, and great advice to examine our habits before they take us down!
Thanks, Peggy, and right you are.
Bologna and jelly?
Really?
To make a Valley Girl allusion, I wouldn’t need a spoon to gag.
;>)