The Soul in My Shoes

  I have a cobbler (a shoe repair man) who has restored many a pair of my old, worn shoes. He takes such pride in his work that every time I leave his shop, I feel as if I have just bought a brand new pair. The sense of purpose with which he executes his work gives me an entirely new appreciation and makes me value even more each step I take in my just-like-new shoes. Whether a French sole, an Italian sole, or a non-skid rubber sole, he puts the soul in my shoes.

I come from a generation in which we were taught to find a job that makes us happy, feels fulfilling, and gives us a sense of meaning. We were told to “go make a difference in the world,” and “don’t settle for less.” So, we sought to find a profession that we thought would fit all the criteria. But what happens when you have chosen a job/career that doesn’t seem to make you happy anymore or give you that sense of significance you craved? This is the generation of endless options, and if not satisfied with our initial choice, we are able to then simply change careers, go back to school, or “take a break to pursue our dream.” However, in all this searching, are we missing something? Are we constantly chasing the subjective, fluctuating, and elusive illusion of happiness, and neglecting an opportunity to truly create it for ourselves?

The pure gratification my cobbler gains from his daily work and the happiness he gleans from his customers’ satisfaction may seem difficult to understand from my generation’s perspective. Historically, be it a janitor at a school, a door-to-door salesman, a waitress, or a trader on Wall Street, people chose their career, and for the most part, were committed to it until retirement. Men and women had fewer options, and surely, they didn’t always feel a sense of purpose or happiness in their work. Rather, they created contentment with their circumstances, by discovering a way to make what they did every day feel fulfilling and meaningful.

Is there a way to bridge the gap between these different approaches and learn from this cobbler and others like him who have cultivated their own happiness and sense of significance? Can we explore all of the options we now have at our disposal and search for something that feels meaningful? And at the same time, can we discover a way to consciously make whatever it is we decide to do have value and meaning? Finding this balance is not only possible, but essential to our survival in today’s society and ultimately to the joy we bring to our lives and those around us.

Questions to consider: What motivates you to get out of bed every morning? What gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment each day? How does what you do each day affect the people around you in a positive way? How do you bring joy to your life every day? How would you like to be most-remembered by the people who know you?