Toe Toasty Shoes

I had been wearing the same pair of house slippers for several years. These were well worn and loved. Each morning when I slipped my feet into them and both big toes peeked through the holes in the sides I stated how I really needed a new pair of shoes.
Still, day after day I slipped my feet into these shoes knowing that my toes would be cold.
Several times over the last few weeks when I went into the local IGA I was confronted upon entering the store with TWO tables of house shoes. These shoes were on sale, two pair for five dollars. I walked over and handled several pair on each vist, always placing them back on the table and walking on to gather my groceries. My youngest daughter who was with me would say each visit, "Mama, get a pair of shoes". I responded each time with "I will, I will".
Still I walked through my home with chilly toes and feet.. not willing to change my shoes.
A few days ago my daughter and I were once again at the IGA gathering food for the week and again I was confronted with the two tables of house shoes. There were fewer there, but they were in my face nonetheless. I strolled toward them and this time upon hearing my daughter say, "Mama GET A PAIR OF SHOES".. I stopped and began to seriously consider the possibility. She found a pair that she liked, even though she had several wonderful pair at home. She commented on how comfortable and warm they were. I put a pair on my feet and at once fell in love.
I bought the shoes and upon arriving home slipped them on. AH.. the joy of warm house slippers. My toes were toasty and comfortable in these new shoes. For the past several days I have exclaimed the merits of Toe Toasty Shoes and have even worn them to my Tae Kwon Do class.
The moral of this little story is how we often put off changing our lives for the better simply out of habit. Habits are the result of thinking the same thing the same way so long that you no longer think about it.. you just do it that way over and over again.
Now my shoes only matter to my toes, but habits in other areas of my life make much bigger impact on me. How often do we stay in jobs, relationships, friendships that are toxic to us just out of habit?
How many of your opinions about yourself are due to listening to others tell you these things so long that you finally just gave in and adopted them as your own?
I, like most women was taught that my "job" was to take care of and nurture others, always placing myself last. In recent years I have come to understand that I was brainwashed by people who really wanted to be first in my life and who lied about the merits of my always being last. I spent years with cold toes while others' feet were warm and cozy. You know what??? I didn't get satisfaction from my cold feet.. I got angry and then changed my thinking.
I love being selfish now.. buying my shoes and keeping my own toes warm. I might not buy the shoes for people I know, but I will tell them where I got mine and even give them directions to the store. Whether or not they get their own shoes is their responsiblity, not mine. I am looking after my own toes now and enjoying the feeling of Toe Toasty Shoes.
I read a while back that you can't be poor enough to make others rich, or sick enough to make others well. We can however, live our lives in such joy and wonder that others will be inspired by us and make changes in their own lives.
Ok, now.. go out there today and get your own pair of Toe Toasty Shoes.
Love yourself well,
Donna

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Loving Life