Paris Shoes
Walking the tightrope between minimalism and holding on too long.
“Mama why do you hold onto those shoes from Paris?”
They're falling apart
They're old.
They're not in style anymore.
There are better ones on the market.
When I look at these shoes, I think of walking the streets of Paris with my second born years ago. I think of jingling Eiffel Tower key chains, the Love Lock Bridge, cafés, parks, museums, pastries, wine, crêpes, Versailles, the Champs-Elysees. I hear laughter, the beautiful French language, sounds of Notre Dame’s bells as we waited in line. I see lights, gorgeous architecture, stained glass windows. And am reminded of the feeling of another place and time.
But to someone else, they are just an old pair of shoes.
As I reflect on these types of statements, I am reminded they can also be in the minds of some in the workplace. Ageism is real. While I personally can see the value of each person young and old, others are steeped in their assumptions, or preconceived notions.
We have all had our moments of being “this, that, and the other thing”.
For me, I can tell stories about playing doubles volleyball on the sand courts in Washington DC with people from all over the world, with my sixes leagues in Chicago, or when I was younger in school.
Memories from managing multi-billion dollar projects at work. Trips to Asia to see Customers. Attending tradeshows while rolling out the next generation of product. Taking work calls while in labor with my first born because I was so committed to my team.
The days I wore a bikini, having never appreciated that those days don’t last forever.
Then I have to ask myself, is there a better me on the market right now?
The answer is Yes. And that better me is me.
Sure, there are better volleyball players, more ambitious managers, and most certainly I no longer wear a bikini.
But the better me is the one that realizes that none of that matters. When you live a life of passion and intent, the resurgence of energy becomes its own fountain of youth. When you’re no longer worried about the comparison game, you learn to value each person’s contributions to the world.
I might not be in style for some things, but I am in style for who I am. I am one hundred percent, uniquely who I am. I couldn't say that 30, 20, or even 10 years ago as I was still trying to be something else. The secret is, you don’t have to try to be, you have to allow yourself to be.
And just like the photos I have in my albums from the days I played volleyball, was overseas, or wore a bikini I can now take a photo of these shoes, thank them for the memories, and let them go too.
For the new me is the better me, and I don’t have to hold onto fragments of who I was, because who I was is already ingrained into my spirit.
There aren't a pair of shoes in the world better than that.
One of life’s lessons is that we have a tendency to not appreciate what we have in the moment. When I wore a bikini I never felt pretty or thin enough. When I worked my way up to the best volleyball courts in DC, I only noticed who was taller or who played better.
When I was physically my best self, I didn’t realize it.
And, while I am not old now, I am learning to appreciate that today is the youngest I will be going forward, and must care for the vessel carrying me around this earth. I don’t want to look back 10 years from now, and wish I had realized what I had.
Let go of the comparisons, and hold on to the feeling of peace.
You are better now. Physical beauty and strength have nothing to do with being wonderful.
What are you holding on to, or is holding on to you?