shoes.

if you want to really get to know a person take a moment to step into their shoes. don't wear socks. close your eyes and feel. feel all the little bumps and indents that have been worn into their sole. all the cold spots and the warm spots. just stand there. take a deep breath and think, for just one brief moment, what it would be like to walk in those shoes for a few steps, a few feet, perhaps even a mile. acknowledge that these shoes have been worn through thick and thin. gaze at the outside of each shoe- acknowledge the parts that are well worn- those that aren't. perhaps there is a bit of dust on the toe. don't brush it off- just recognize its presence. when you are done place them- gently, exactly as you found them. say thank you and walk forward, carrying with you the things that you have learned.