Thanksgiving offers us a time to stop and reflect on the blessings in our lives. Among my many blessings, I count the people with whom I work. I am blessed to be surrounded with people who are smarter than I am and from whom I learn every day.
One such lesson occurred a few
weeks ago with a delightful sales person in Enid, Ok. This particular day, she walked in with pointy-toed, high heeled SHINY shoes. We're talking rhinestone shiny. This lady always dresses superbly. Most of us would not wear shiny shoes to work. Mandy did. One of the ladies in the office commented on them and Mandy told us the story. It seems appropriate to pass it on to you in my Thanksgiving newsletter.
Several years ago, Mandy had a regular client with whom she enjoyed a great relationship. One day, Mandy mentioned to this client that she had bought a pair of shiny shoes because they made her feel special. But, she had no place to wear them. She didn't think they would be appropriate to wear to work. Her client disagreed. In the following discussion, Mandy's client uttered these
insightful words: "Mandy, life is too short. Wear the * shoes!"
Two days later, Mandy's client experienced an asthma attack and died. She was 29.
When Mandy related this story, it hit me right between the eyes. Life is short. Whatever the "shiny shoes" represent in your life, don't put it off. Do it now. Wear the * shoes.!
This Thanksgiving, as you gather with family and friends, celebrate those things and people in your life that raise your spirits, make you feel special, give you a reason to live.
After all, the journey IS the reward. Take it in your shiny shoes!