A Story of Stolen Shoes (and the power of our thoughts)

"Watch your thoughts, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, they become your destiny."

This quote, often attributed to Lao Tzu, reflects the teachings of ancient Eastern philosophies which speak to the power of our thoughts. These days, I am reminded of this each time I go to the beach and recognize how much my behavior and sense of ease has been impacted my something that didn't even happen! Here's the story.

Early in the summer, I visited a nearby park to watch yet another glorious sunset. Another reminder of the passage of time, impermanence, and how much beauty each day holds when I notice the ordinary miracles of daily living.

Just before the boardwalk ended, I joyfully kicked off my shoes and placed them under a bench. As always, my feet could hardly wait to feel the coolness of sand made soft over thousands of years of being tumbled around by the waves of Lake Michigan.

I watched with awe and reverence as the sun became a floating ball of orange on the water before quietly sinking below the horizon, becoming a sunrise in someone else's distant morning.

What a beautiful way to end my day!

But as I returned to the boardwalk, my feeling of contentment morphed into disappointment and frustration as I realized my shoes had been stolen!! I found only sand and seagrass under the bench where I had left them.

Now I would have to walk back to my car without shoes! I would surely get splinters and burrs in the soles of my feet, before driving home barefoot and in pain.

"Why would someone do such a thing?" "How inconsiderate!" "It was my fault; I should have known better!" "I won't make that mistake again!!" "I will always carry my shoes with me to the beach from now on!!"

And I have.

Each time I go to the beach now, I remember the story of the shoes that were stolen. I remember the story of walking back to my car with splinters and burrs in my feet and driving home in pain.

I remember that story even though it never happened.

The shoes were never stolen. I found them under the next bench, right where I had left them. I walked back to my car that night, thinking of how relieved I was not to feel the pain of burrs and splinters with each step.

The shoes were not stolen but, in my mind, they might as well have been. My thoughts became my words, which became my habits... and if I let it continue, this will become my character and my destiny.

How often do we do this without even knowing it? How often are untrue or outdated stories playing in the background of our lives, quietly shaping our experiences in ways we don't intend or desire?

Our minds are wonderful at creating stories about everything! Since our minds tend to dislike "not-knowing," they come up with all sorts of ways to fill in the blanks. Since so much of life is unknown, our minds become quite prolific and convincing storytellers!

Using my untrue thought about the stolen shoes as an example, here's how Lao Tzu's quote could play out in a life.

Thoughts:

"My shoes were stolen!! I left them right here and someone took them!"

Become Words:

"I need to be more careful. I can't leave my shoes unattended. People are so inconsiderate!"

Become Actions:

I no longer leave my shoes under the bench like I normally did. Instead, I cautiously carry them with me, each time reinforcing the idea that it isn't safe to leave my shoes unattended.

Become Character:

If left unexamined, this thought and these actions could lead me to view the park as unsafe and people in general as inconsiderate and selfish. I could start to show up in life with unnecessary worries. Perhaps I would harden my heart a little toward others, wondering who might be the "inconsiderate ones" stealing other people's belongings.

Become Destiny:

As a result of hardening my heart, I might eventually become closed to meaningful connections with people in my community. I might no longer interact with others in the same way and I might even become suspicious of people in general. This could lead to isolation, loneliness, and lack of support, which would negatively impact my overall wellbeing.

For us to ponder:

• What would happen if we became more aware of the tendency of our minds to create and believe untrue stories?

• What if we approached our stories and thoughts with awareness and curiosity?

• How could bringing awareness and curiosity to our thoughts positively impact our destinies?

If you like this kind of exploration, it is similar to the type of "thought-work" sometimes used in Wayfinder Life Coaching. You can find more information about that here.

Until next time, I'm wishing you many moments of beauty.