You open your closet and shoes pour out. You kick off your work shoes to throw on some sneakers, and then shed those later for your after dinner slippers. You’ve got two feet and dozens of shoes. Sound about right?
But all for what? Two feet can’t wear all those shoes.
Somewhere in the quest for stuff we have lost ourselves. We’ve outrun our own minds and completely missed the point of our basic needs. So let’s back up a second and examine something simple. Let’s look at our feet.
We’ve got it good. If you’re able to read this blog, you’ve likely got a pair of shoes. That means you’re already a damn near million miles ahead of many folks on this planet. We buy into this consumerism culture with the appetite of a blue whale. (I’m not really sure blue whales even eat a lot, but I’d like to imagine for this analogy that they do.) So why not give a little considering you can: A. afford the extra space in your closet. B. give yourself the peace of mind of some less junk in your life. And C. help change the life of a complete stranger.
Remember folks: today you, tomorrow me.
My forever active girlfriend recently organized a shoe drive at her office for Soles 4 Souls, a shoe recycling charity. They collected over 12 boxes (54+ cubic feet) of shoes! That is over 500 pairs of shoes! I somehow found 7 pairs of shoes that I was able to donate, which really emptied out my shoe rack. On the plus side, I then had to go out and by another pair of shoes since I gave them all away. I found a pair I really liked and did even more good buying these!
Then, a few days later, I was given a pair of shoes by a total stranger. And these shoes are originally sold to the singing tune of $325! I’ve never even seen that much money in real life! (Sidenote: I’m kidding. I have. Just once though.)
So how do you like that for some karma?! Get out your old shoes and donate them! Clear up space in your place and feel good doing it! Big thanks to Joshua Millburn for the shoes! I am picking them up tomorrow from the post office!
David William
March 7th, 2011
Happy to help, David. Enjoy!
Josh, you’re one of the best! I look forward to seeing your new career take off!
Can we still give shoes to your girlfriend?
sadly the shoe drive is over
but i am pretty sure you can connect directly with soles 4 souls or maybe even start a shoe drive at your office!!! (btw, lisa brought in over 100 pairs of shoes!)
Lisa is the man! I’m mean she is cool!
The shoe drive was a success. Thanks for all your help…. and yes I agree we all have way too many shoes, clothes. things etc. I got rid of 25 pairs and that was after I had “cleaned” through my closet. Can’t wait to see the new kicks!
You did an amazing job! 25 pairs of shoes clearly eclipses my donation
I want to thank you a lot for that work you have made in writing this piece of writing. I am hoping the same top work by you later on as well.
Just goes to show that karma comes full circle
That’s such a great idea!!!
Well I give full karma points to my girlfriend for initiating the whole thing. I just reap the benefits of goodness sometimes!
Great idea! It’s sad that we have so many things we don’t need (and still want more) when there are people who don’t have enough.
My problem with shoes is the smell if I wear the same ones every day – so I have twice as many shoes as I would otherwise. It’s still not as many as some!
Ahh the dreaded stink shoe! I’ve even heard that its better to give your feet a fresh pair each day just to avoid this. Or maybe we can skip the whole shoes thing and all just go barefoot!