I've decided that if I'm ever asked to give a graduation speech, my theme would be shoes. Today, watching hundreds of young men and women navigate the stage, I was entranced by the shoe variety. For men, there seem to be two choices; sneakers or dress shoes. There were a few pairs of sandals, but for the most part men's footwear choices are practical and comfortable. Among the women, however, the options were quite varied. There were some sneakers, even a few pairs of flip-flops, but the overwhelming choice was something pointy and tall. There were platform shoes with platform heels, stilettos and high heeled pumps, boots, and dressy sandals with laces and straps.
So, what would I say about shoes? Some shoes are comfortable, they fit our feet well and allow us to move quickly and happily. Some shoes are high, they lift us up, allow us to reach higher. Some shoes are elegant, they sparkle and shine and give us confidence. Some shoes are uncomfortable, they pinch and poke and make it hard to walk (but managing in them is an accomplishment!) Some shoes are pretty, some plain. Some are bright, some dull.
It doesn't matter so much which shoes we wear, they will all get us to places we couldn't go otherwise. They allow us to "commence" on our journey.
