A Day Without Shoes.

 

 

“Life is a challenge by choice”….

 

Remember that from my prior blogs?

 

 Well, how about “Life is a challenge when barefoot!”

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, April 8th, 2010 in celebration of Tom’s Shoes “One Day Without Shoes“, I subscribed to their quest of asking to go barefoot for one day. In doing so, Tom’s Shoes continues their homage to the underprivileged by donating a pair of shoes for every pair purchased. It is their way of bringing attention to the issue that many people do not have shoes to wear. As many countries strive to feed their people, even more struggle with the fact that they do not even have something to wear on their feet, to protect and comfort them. “One Day Without Shoes” is to bring a true sense of awareness to this issue that is global. Thank you, Blake Mycoskie.

  

I started my support for the cause by purchasing their T-shirts that had the slogan “Barefoot so they don’t have to be“, thinking that if I decided I could not go barefoot, I could at least wear the clothing. But after researching the site of Tom’s Shoes, I knew that I needed to follow my heart. Today was a totally barefoot day!

 

 Let me share with you what my day without shoes felt like. I noticed as I got dressed and ready to leave the house for my appointments that I “felt” like something was wrong. It was brisk here today and setting out into the cold garage floor was a big shock. Feeling the cold on my feet I instantly turned on the heat when I started my car, blowing all the hot air to the floor. It felt weird to feel the carpet of the car and the rubber of the gas pedal as I drove. My first stop was Starbucks for a Life Coaching session. My thought, “Surely Starbucks will not throw me out, they are way too hip.” Most people just observed me, no one ask me why I didn’t have shoes on. Successful! 

 

Next stop Broadripple!  My thoughts again, “Surely I won’t get thrown out of Broadripple as it is way too hip.” I wondered how many I would find even wearing shoes! Interesting enough, of all the various places that I went in Broadripple, I was the only one WITHOUT shoes! Most people just observed my bare feet and looked to receive a smile from me. It was almost as if walking around barefooted was the normal. But it is not. I still see the signs “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service”. 

I’m blessed every day to walk into my closet and decide among many pairs of shoes which ones I want to wear. Sometimes I even wear two or three different pairs in the same day, never even giving it a thought. 

But yesterday,I scraped my toes on the sidewalk, burnt my heel on an ember of cigarette ash, found myself more than just a bit uncomfortable being in a public restroom, and a bit frightened with what I really saw when I looked down. I didn’t have any idea what a day without shoes would feel like. I had to watch every step I took. Do you know there is broken glass everywhere? There is trash at each corner. There are dog and bird droppings to step around when walking. There was the sharpness of the gravel that my tender feet were not used to. 

One person had stopped to ask me why I was barefoot and shared that they just thought I was just “doing my own thing.”  I ask them to join me in the cause for the rest of the day and they declined. 

At the end of my day, after having dinner with a friend and boasting of my dirty but proud feet, I was stopped by a young man with his 2 children outside the restaurant. He read my T-shirt and saw my bare feet and inquired. When I told him about the cause, he snapped off his tennis shoes and socks stood outside with me in a quiet rejoice. His children giggled and he then looked at me and said, “I have been to those places. I have seen what you are talking about. I understand.” And then after I thanked him, he walked his girls to the car and left. I stood there in quiet, but proud amazement. Out of the entire day and hundreds of people and a dozen places visited, it took just one person to understand. 

A willing participant. Thank you again! 

My feet are covered in dirt and cold. I feel the pain of the day in my “soles” and in my soul as I write this. So much we take for granted, whether it be shoes or eachother, having a job, a home to live in and a bathtub to wash my feet. 

What cause to do you stand for? Have you even thought about it before? 

I encourage you to “step outside the box” and give it some special time in your mind and heart today. 

If you need or want some ideas on giving of yourself in service of a cause, let me know. I have a list. 

Peace and blessings, 

Derinda 

                                           

From The Wisdom of Enzo….

The last blog I introduced you to a book that I’m reading ” Art of racing in the rain.” As I said this whole book is from the insight and wisdom of Enzo, a dog. It is an amazing story and so hard to put down and get to the real business of the day.Enzo says, ” People, like dogs, love repetition. Chasing a ball, lapping a course in a race car, sliding down a slide. Because as much as each incident is similar, so it is different.”

How is that dance showing up for you?

Well this dog got me thinking about the love of repetition or in other words the love of knowing what is happening next, being in control. Our desire to just let it happen and stay on the surface of life. It makes it so much easier than mixing it up or stepping outside that familiar box. But Enzo is so right in the fact that even in that repetition there is a difference. That difference is in each of us. Embrace the dance of similar and difference.

The Domino Effect

The domino effect is a chain reaction that occurs when a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then will cause another similar change, and so on in linear sequence.

A beautiful lady shared a story with me today about a contest involving dominoes. This contest took place in Las Vegas. There were three groups in a race to build the biggest and the best structure. Each started out with great enthusiasm building quickly and accurately their creations. In the end an enormous castle with a fence and trees and bridges was built. The castle was elegant and elaborate with every detail imaginable. People were in awe!

After being on view for a while the builder wanted to watch the chain reaction of their structure, so out of the crowd they chose a small older lady to come a push a domino to start the effect. Though she was hesitant in her desire to touch the castle, they encouraged her to just touch a domino on the fence and she did. Within seconds the fence dropped one by one and then the trees, the bridges, and with great momentum the castle released itself piece by piece. The noise from the collapse was so loud the casino went quiet looking to see what had happened.

She went on to talk about how we are dominoes in each other’s lives. A small word, a warm hug, and fresh view can start a spiral of change that never has to come to an end.

What kind of domino are you?

What is your rippled effect in this world?

Change is a blessed part of life if indeed we reach for the place within ourselves that gets touched and embrace the journey, sometimes slowly one by one, and at other times the change comes with great momentum. Hold on tightly, your domino effect can change the world.

Let’s all start building our castles today!

What one thing?

I have a couple girls that I mentor once a week. The mentoring is a part of a service that some schools in our area participate in. These kids have all “earned the right” to be in this school because of failing grades, family dysfunction, poor choices, drugs, pregnancy and some simply not fitting in to the norm of traditional teaching styles. I have two of the most amazing young women that I have ever met that I have the privilege of seeing and being a part of their lives every week.

  

The mentoring program is set up to follow a program of the 40 assets that everyone needs to have in their lives to be successful.

Today’s activity was simply to get the girls to think about things on a deeper level than most 17 year olds think. “If you could meet any 4 people in the world and have dinner with them who would they be and why?” “What are you most proud of in your life?” “Who needs you?” There were about thirty different questions that we went through and it was interesting to hear the girls speak about something they had never even thought of before. 

One question that really struck me the most was, “If you could change ONE thing about yourself, what would it be and how would that ONE change, change your whole life?” 

So I pose that question to each of you. 

We all have one thing, a thought pattern, a habit, an old belief, a fear, that we could let go of and change the rest of our lives. 

What’s yours? 

One year ago today…

 

Forgetting 2 Remember became a real live business.  Its conception had been years in the making, the time for birthing this dream finely came March 14, 2009.  It was amazing how easy the first few steps were.

What the first year of Forgetting 2 Remember has taught me:

 10.  I could not have ever accomplished this venture without so many people loving and supporting me along the way.  A very special thank you to the “test group, ”(Mike, Jared, Jess, Brooke, Wilson, Janette, Anna, Chelsey, Don, Lydia and Georgjean) that let me give the weekend a trial run to teach each other. You earned the purple shirts with flying success.  No pun intended! 

      “Remembering” we are never alone.

9.  The only difference between success and failure came down to whether or not I quit. That became very visible early on when the hours of creating became more than I could have ever imagined.  Thank you Mike, Anna, and Wilson for so unselfishly letting me build this seminar. 

      “Remembering” that with love we can change the world.”

8. People are blocked by fear on a level that was beyond my imagination, but with love, safety, and encouragement that fear can be released.

“Remembering” that all that we have learned can be unlearned and fear is no match  to love.”

7. The “gifts” from the weekend keep on giving and months later moments of clarity continue to appear.  

“Remembering” that we are all in a continual state of learning.”

 6. That my writing blogs and editing really needs to be turned over to a better English guru.  

“Remembering” spend your time doing what you love and what you are best at, outsource the rest.”

5. We never know what someone is going through on the inside, so when we meet someone in a place of fear, react with love.

       “Remembering” it is not always personal even when it feels like it

4. I have learned as much about myself this year as I have taught.

     “Remembering,” we are all teachers and students.

3.   Forgiveness is the key to peaceful living.

“Remembering” forgiveness has more to do with you and your freedom than it does  the other person.

 2.   The only thing that we have control over in this life is ourselves.

    “Remembering” life is a challenge by choice, embrace it with both hands.

1. That I am so blessed, loved and supported more than I could have ever recognized outside this passion for what I do; helping people to remember all the greatness that already lives in each of us.

      “Remembering” you are LOVE.

 Thank you all, we have only just begun…..

200th Blog of Forgetting 2 Remember

What an amazing experience this journey has been and continues to be!

On March 14th, 2009 I went into business with Forgetting 2 Remember, LLC.  On March 15, 2009 I posted my first blog, “Hello World.” 

Now, almost a year later, the 200th blog.  We have had thousands of visitors and many subscribers over this past year and I have been touched greatly by the comments and feedback. Each one has been an opportunity to continue the conversation and the growth that comes from that honesty.

 I set out on this venture with a passion and desire to change the way people “see”, to deepen and expand the experience of living as a complete authentic human being, and to facilitate a process of living with less fear and finding greater love for yourself, family, friends and community!  I had the pleasure last summer to see that dream transform 24 lives. 

This is the start of our second year with three intensive weekends planned and several smaller F2R monthly events. I joyfully wait for the journey to begin again and  can only imagine the possibilities this season holds.   We are blessed with a  new campground and even greater opportunities to expand. 

Thank you to all that have attended a weekend, shared their story, supported the scholarship program and held such great energy for me to create, grow and build this dream.  A huge thank you to my family, the staff  and my dear sweet Jess.  I am so blessed! 

So ” Hello World” again!  Thank you for the dance.

Indy Health Expo Weekend

What a weekend! 

 

Thank you to all of you F2R supporters and past graduates for coming out this weekend.  What  a blast it was to see all of you running around in your “Bridging The Gap” t-shirt telling everyone about F2R and promoting my speaking time!  You all made such a difference for the success of this weekend.  Even Sunday I had someone come up to talk to me about 

“my t-shirt people” and she was finally happy to connect with me at my booth. 

 

What a great response!  Many people have signed up to start receiving the monthly newsletters and I made some great connections with people ready to start living life more fully.  I’m looking forward to getting them signed up in the next few days for one of the summer seminars.

 

The Saturday speaking time came off without a hitch!  The crowd was great and engaged.  They participated in a welcome to life hug and a challenge by choice. Well, at least most of them did!  I ask them to stand and turn to the stranger next to them and meet that person eye to eye.  To “see” that person.  Mike, my husband, turned around to look into the eye of the man behind him. The man looked at Mikes F2R shirt and ask him if he had gone through a weekend retreat.  Mike told him that he cooks at the camp on the seminar weekends and that he is my husband.  The man laughed and said, “you live with this everyday!”  It was hilarious for me to watch this from the stage!  All he could do was laugh and look some place other than at Mike.  He is coming to a seminar this summer!

Jess has put a podcast of most of the “Life…is a Challenge by Choice” presentation on my website.  Check it out!

And again, thank you to each and every one of you for your incredible love and support.  I could not do what I do with you! 

It’s called a phone call!

Last week my old faithful phone died, I mean never to regain consciousness again, died!  Interestingly enough the day that my old phone died I came to realize very quickly that I didn’t know my husbands or my daughters phone number or anyone elses for that matter!  Mike was#2 and Anna #4.  I called several wrong numbers before I finally reached Mike and Anna.  It was scary to realize how loss I was without my phone. 

At lunch on Sunday we were talking about how little we use our phones for calling people but instead we use them for texting,  updating the calendar, following the apps, playing games( kids), sending and receiving emails, and even taking a picture or monitoring the safety of our homes, all from the phone! 

My beautiful 16 year old daughter spoke up and said, “I wish I could just talk into my phone and it text my messages to my friends.”    I laughed so hard and responded to her that is called a phone call!   I told her to pick up the phone and call them  and then there is no need to have it texted for you! 

I believe that the further into technology that we dive the less we are able to just call each other or have a face to face conversation.  It is creating social anxieties for people when they actually have to meet, talk and resolve in the company of each other. 

Make a “real” call today.  Let someone who you have not spoken to in a while hear your voice.  Walk down the hall at the office to ask a question instead of sitting at your desk and sending an email. 

And kids, PLEASE,  walk downstairs instead of texting me from your bedroom!  I love to see your beautiful faces!

Meet Faith- Guest Blogger, Pam Zajac

This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 2 legs he of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him.His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of ‘putting him to sleep’.But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him.She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself..She named him ‘Faith’.  In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward. After further training in the snow, he could now walk like a human being. Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he attracts people to him. He is fast becoming famous on the international scene and has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. There is now a book entitled ‘With a Little Faith’ being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies. His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul’.   In life there are always undesirable things, so in order to feel better  you just need to look at life from another direction.  I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone  and that everyone will appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day.  Faith is the continual demonstration of the strength and wonder of life.

The Man Makes the World

I was told this beautiful story last week and I believe that its message is so true; I want to share it with you:

A father came home from work after a long and very busy day.  When he opened the door he was met by his son, ”Play with me daddy!” the little boy exclaimed.  The father still  had a few more things to accomplish for the day before he could allow himself the pleasure of playing with his son.  So out of his briefcase he pulled a picture of the world.  He told his son that he would tear the picture into small pieces and by the time his son would be able to put it back together he would be available to play with him.   The father thought that that would give him some time to finish up his day and give his son something educational to do in the mean time.  So the boy went to play with his pieces of the world.  Two minutes later he came back with the puzzle put back together.  His father was astonished, “How did you do that so fast?”  The boy replied,”Dad, on the back of the picture of the world was a picture of a man and when you put the man together the world comes together.”  

The educational lesson that they both learned that day far exceeded just buying a little more time. 

When you put the man together the world comes together.  It starts with each of us becoming whole in the understanding of who we are and then, and only then, the world comes together. 

 It starts with you. 

What difference are you making in the world?