Designing New Shoes — A Creative Visualization

Throw the old ones away at your “Lighten Up Shame” Luau

Hi. Are you up for an escape, a retreat in a place of beauty?

Imagine you are on a beach in Kauai with eight other people, sitting around a camp-fire. On this imaginary retreat you can sit close to each other without masks. The sun is starting to set. You can still feel the warmth in the air from a hot day, and the gentle warmth of the fire on your chest and face. You smell the wood burning and hear crackling sounds. It is good to be around other people.

You all are now going on a “Surprising Sole Walk”. Put your towel around your shoulders. How lovely that your two heroes are walking on either side of you to support you. Can you see who your two heroes are? Write down their names here:

You see a big can in the distance. Each of you women, walk with two of your heroes, earthly or heavenly, on either side of you. You are walking toward the can, smelling the salty waves nearby.

You near the big trash can.

You take off your shoes that have inadvertently stepped in the poop of someone else shaming you. You throw those shoes in the large can.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein

Good job. Now, it’s time not in clock time but in ocean wave time, to design a brand new pair of shoes. They will show your nobility, your creativity, your unique combination of strengths and interests. You can include colors, textures, and imagination.

(Don’t worry if you have not decided on a design yet. Feel free to make a bad design and start over. The shoes don’t need to look any way, not like any other pair of shoes in the world).

What do your new shoes look like?

Are there any surprises? (Some of you creatives may have multiple shoe design ideas in your mind)

Describe your new shoes here:

If you imagined more than one pair, feel free to describe two or three more you’ve imagined here:

Walk in your new shoes (and carry any extras) towards the ocean. As you walk, the design of the shoes may occur to you if it hasn’t yet solidified, or it may get more clear and defined.

Set your new shoes down a little distance from the ocean. One of your heroes holds your towel.

The water is warm as the colors of sunset reflect on them. Walk alone into the waters and immerse. Feel the healing waters absorb old criticisms and fears. This is Acceptance Ocean where every part of you, body, mind, emotion is immersed in compassion. Inhale. Sigh.

When you are ready, go back towards your heroes. One of them hands you a towel to dry off. Now you can put on your new shoes (and carry any extras).

Your support beings hug and congratulate you for re-discovering your noble self, your growing and developing self. Your “you don’t have to be perfect, it’s OK to make mistakes self.” The “I love you” self. Then your heroes hug you good-bye and leave.

If you want you can do a cheer or dance on the sand in your new shoes.

One cheer you may use is: You have permission to manifest your juicy, joyful, soulful gifts.

Another is the standard: You’ve got the S P I R I T. — said six times.

Or you may like to do your own dance to words you have heard within.

What are the words of your cheer?

When you are done, join your fellow creatives by the fire. You are all smiling with amusement wearing your comfortable, creative new sole shoes.