I used to make major life decisions the same way I’d go about rhinestoning a pair of tap shoes – with no outline, strategy, or vision.
I simply start gluing (one stone at a time) and accept whatever happens.
I’ve always been comfortable jumping right in.
I begin other projects with no endgame or exit strategy.
I’d begin painting a room without using a drop cloth, tape, or a backing-out-of-the room strategy.
Afterwards, I spend more time backtracking and cleaning than I spent painting the room.
While opening electronics or anything else, I unbox, plug in, assemble, and fiddle around before referencing the directions.
Vacation planning? I book airfare and trust that lodging, ground transportation, dining, and other activities will fall into place. They usually do. Side note, this ended when I met Brie.
And teaching tap dancing on Tremaine Dance Conventions? There’s this crazy rumor going around that I actually walk on stage to teach my tap class, and with a straight face ask, “O.K. Who’s got music?”
Most of these approaches result in chaos, stress, and anxiety.
Being sporadic, impulsive, haphazard, and without direction relative to decorating shoes is a risk I remain willing to take. I can live with the downside because the consequence is limited.
However, making day-to-day choices in the same fashion is not wise. It’s those small, seemingly inconsequential decisions that shape our lives.
The orange shoes pictured here are one of my many creations. They get lovingly tapped in by a student in Colorado named Sara.
“A pair of shoes can change everything. Just ask LaurieTALKS, Cinderella and Dorothy.” ~ LaurieTALKS