When I was little, probably about four or five years old, I remember having to learn how to tie my shoes. As strange as it may sound, I struggled with it. Growing up for me was very much like this… If I wasn’t good at something right away I didn’t want to do it anymore. You could call it ignorance, laziness or lack of motivation, but I was a kid.
I had the hardest time coordinating my hand to do the “Loop, Swoop and Pull” method. That was the method I saw everyone else doing. After a while the teacher’s aid noticed how frustrated I would get with the LSP method. So she decided to show me the “Bunny Ears” method. It was visually and mechanically easier for me to comprehend. It just clicked with me.
Still… I felt lesser than everyone else. I was a “Bunny Ears Kid” and I didn’t like that at all. Growing up I would tie knots in my shoes and then just slip them on. I found tying my shoes to be obnoxious, a waste of time and awkward. I felt uncomfortable tying my shoes in front of other people.
To this day, when I am heading out the door of my home or anyone else’s to put on my shoes I still feel anxious, awkward and nervous. The faster I can put on my shoes the better.
It truly feels like I never learned how to tie my shoes. Like all the kids I grew up with.
This morning though, I slipped on my shoes just like any other day and realized, “what does it matter?”
It doesn’t really matter how you put on your shoes. It doesn’t matter “how” you do anything. For many things the “how” is irrelevant. You can find many ways to get to the same result. You can tie your shoes any damn way you want as long as they keep them on your feet. Those shoes allow you to step outside and go to where you need to be. Awesome places. Excellent journeys.
That’s what matters most.
