Sitting on a brick facade pedestal as part of the American Stories collection on the second floor of the Smithsonian are the ruby red slippers that Dorothy clicked three times to get back home in the closing scenes of the Wizard of Oz. Although the shoes were silver in L. Frank Baum's original story, they were changed for the movie to take advantage of the new Technicolor film process. Several pairs were created for the production; one of which sits on display in the Smithsonian, one is unaccounted for having been stolen from actress Judy Garland, and another had a pre-auction estimate of close to $3 million. Valuable shoes indeed.
           I am always struck by the lost and found collection found at any high school anywhere. Amidst the hoodies, single gloves, wrinkled t-shirts and countless water bottles you will find shoes--running shoes--or basketball shoes--or soccer cleats or some such athletic footwear. Sometimes there is just the one shoe and you can't help but wonder about the student athlete that got one shoe home and left the other behind.
           Although t-shirts and water bottles are often looked at as dispensable, athletic shoes are typically a more costly purchase and one that has parents urging their offspring to take special care. Families can expect to spend more than $20,000 on footwear over the course of a child's lifetime.
           Yet that's a bargain when compared with what elite shoe designers are charging. A 1,420 diamond encrusted pair of stilettos by Stuart Weitzman are valued at $500,000 while his Retro Rose pumps with 1,800 precious stones will set you back $1,000,000. However to really make a fashion statement you might consider his unique Cinderella Slippers that sparkle with 595 carats of platinum set diamonds and a price tag of $2,000,000.
           While shoes like these may be just what's needed for the yellow brick road or the red carpet, perhaps shoes by these designers are more your style; Manola Blahnik's for $4600, Jimmy Choos for about $3000 or Gucci for (the terribly reasonable) price of $600. If you're looking to add to your athletic wear options, or to replace your child's lost ones, get ready for the April 4, 2015 release of the Remastered Jordan Collection when you can purchase the white/metallic Silver Air Jordan 5s for $200.
            Shoes that look great but don't fit well end up causing discomfort. Shoes that are purchased entirely for fit may not be the most stylish in our closet. Balancing color, style, fit, comfort…and budget…to find the perfect pair for whatever we are doing is the key. But it's important to remember that the pair that works well for us may not be the right pair for someone else.
           We sometimes think we are required to fill someone's shoes. We move into a new position, take over a leadership role, or replace someone in an organization and we may implicitly think we have to step into the previous occupant's shoes to be successful. But that is not the case. We need to put on our own shoes and walk our own journey--bringing our particular skills, gifts, ideas and initiatives. To think we need to fill someone's shoes is to imply that there is only one way of achieving a result--one set of ideas to pursue--one means to an end--and we know that simply isn't the case. We are not to fill anyone else's ill-fitting shoes but instead to step boldly into our unique fitting ones.
           Cinderella's prince knew that all too well as he searched the kingdom for one, and only one, maiden who would fit the glass slipper perfectly. Fairly tales, aside we need to remember that the shoes we are to slip on are the ones that belong to us. If we try to fit or mould or cram ourselves into the way someone else may do things we will find that those shoes pinch or are just too sloppy. They don't suit us because they are not right for us.
           So wear the shoe that fits, and leave behind the one that doesn't. It's not for you to wear. That one belongs to someone else. Find your own shoes…put those on…and walk the journey intended for you. That's my outlook.
