Barefoot by choice

It's your typical day in Central Texas. The sky is blue, the air is crisp-ish, and there's a strong breeze. And, I'm not wearing any shoes (for the most part). I'm lucky; I can go to class, go to work (which, admittedly is at school), ride public transportation and generally exist without shoes. My country has generally good sanitation and shoes are not considered required for many things.

You know what sucks? Not having shoes, and living somewhere where you are at risk for all kinds of diseases simply by being barefoot. You know what's worse? Not being able to go to school because you're required to have shoes to be there. Your ticket out of poverty and your ability to learn enough to change the situation that your family and friends and neighbors is barred because you don't have something that so many of us take for granted.

Take a second to think: how many pairs of shoes do you own? I don't lust over shoes, and I have about 20 pairs. Twenty. When many people don't even have one.


And so, I'm blogging barefoot today.  I'm going one day without shoes. Even if you don't support Tom's, please support people without the basic, everyday necessities that we take for granted. Donate your shoes, donate your clothes, donate your money. Because, really, it's not just about us. It's about how we look out for, and care for our fellow human beings. This goes beyond country, beyond race, beyond politics, beyond religion. It's a human thing. Please, do your part.

Go one day without something. And then donate that something to those who need it more than you do.

{(note: this is a picture of my feet as I float in the Dead Sea. Not the most inspiring picture since I was on a very expensive trip, but my camera decided not to work this morning. But, you get the general idea)}

What are you going without?