One of my old students, Ryan, was an awesome kid. One morning he proudly hit the door of my classroom wearing gym shorts, a T and red cowboy boots. Actually, I didn't even know that until I heard him shout, "Check out my boots!" Then I looked up to see him pointing excitedly. He was so loud the entire class looked at me to see if he was in trouble... I smiled and said, "Awesome boots Ryan!" Everybody took my cue and went right back to morning work, and Ryan walked in and unpacked with the confidence of a model on the runway. Right then and there I decided I always wanted to remember his joy over some red boots; shoes that didn't go with his outfit, shoes that weren't great for school playground wear, but shoes that made him happy. I hope that my kids' eyes will soon shine with a pure joy like his, over some article of clothing they've picked out. And I hope I have the wisdom to let them wear it.
The world needs more joy, after all. And less hang ups over looks.
Less worry over what others may think. More confidence in how we feel.
Less outward. More inward.
Less judging. More accepting.
Less matchy-match...
More red boots.
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