One Day Without Shoes

Ever wonder what it would be like to walk a mile in someone else's shoes?

How about walking that mile barefoot because you have none?

When your throat is parched you can walk to the sink and turn on the tap: out comes fresh, clean water to slake your thirst.

Could you gather your water from a river instead?

We complain there isn't enough room for a family of 4 in a 3 bedroom house with 2000 square feet.

Imagine instead all of you living in a 10x10 shanty built from scraps.

The liberals and conservatives attack each other in a feeding frenzy to claim one side or another is right and the other is wrong.

While children in other nations scour the streets attacking each other for scraps of food out of garbage cans.

We take so much for granted anymore. We forget that not everyone in the world can walk out the door, get into a vehicle, drive down the street and walk into a store that offers everything we need under one roof. There are still people who don't have running water while we have IPods, IPhones and IPads. Children die daily from malnutrition while we gorge ourselves on all you can eat buffets. Walk in closets are now staples in homes because we have so many clothes while millions could put every piece they own on a few pegs on a wall.

Our children are entertained with electronic games, television and computers. We put ourselves into debt so we can have the best, live the best, BE the best yet how much do we give to those without?

Today I was surfing the internet. I came across this site**. I became ashamed of myself. I'd forgotten what it was like to look in the eyes of an infant whose belly is distended from hunger. I'd forgotten the sight of a mother begging someone to help her sick child. I'd forgotten that the entire world doesn't live in a free and progressive country like I do.

Today when I walk around barefoot it's because I'm inside a warm comfortable home and don't feel like wearing one of my many pairs of shoes. This week though, I'm going to remain barefoot for another reason. I want to remind myself that while there are a few reasons I can and do complain about life at times, there are hundreds and hundreds of reasons why I should be thankful instead.

Then I am going to take a trip to the store and buy some shoes. And some pants. Oh heck I'll throw in some shirts, shorts and socks while I'm at it. Then I'll head to the nearest shelter and give it all away. Not because it will assuage my conscience: but because it will give me a chance to remember to be grateful.

**Every April TOMS gives away a pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair that is bought on one particular day. Please link to the site above and sign up for a reminder notification of how you can help on April 5^th, 2011.